The People's Court Season 17 Episode 4 A Bedbug Infestation

In season 17 episode 4 of The People's Court, the case opens with a dispute over a rental property that has been infested with bedbugs. The plaintiff, a young woman named Samantha, claims that she rented a room in the defendant's home for several months, only to discover that the space was crawling with bedbugs. She alleges that the defendant was aware of the infestation but failed to disclose it, leaving her to suffer the consequences.

The defendant, a middle-aged woman named Susan, denies any knowledge of the bedbugs and argues that Samantha was responsible for bringing them into the house. She contends that Samantha never complained about the issue until after she had moved out and was trying to recoup her security deposit.

The judge, Judge Marilyn Milian, appears skeptical of both sides of the story and calls for evidence to be presented. Samantha submits photos of the bedbugs and bites on her body, while Susan insists that the photos are doctored and that there is no concrete evidence of a problem.

As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that there is a vast divide between the two parties' version of events. Samantha claims that she took every precaution to protect herself from bedbugs, including buying special sheets and pillowcases, but still ended up covered in bites. She argues that the defendant should have disclosed the infestation to her before she moved in.

Susan maintains that she has never had a bedbug problem before and that she did not know how to handle the situation when Samantha brought it to her attention. She insists that she did everything she could to mitigate the issue, including calling an exterminator and providing Samantha with a new mattress.

Throughout the episode, Judge Milian is firm but fair, often asking for clarification or additional evidence from both parties. She is particularly interested in determining whether the defendant was aware of the bedbug infestation before Samantha moved in and whether she took adequate steps to address the issue.

Ultimately, Judge Milian rules in favor of the plaintiff, awarding her the full amount of her security deposit plus additional damages for the physical and emotional distress she endured as a result of the bedbug infestation. She also admonishes the defendant for failing to disclose the issue and suggests that she take more proactive steps in the future to ensure that her tenants are safe and comfortable.

Overall, the episode serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of renting and the importance of communication between landlords and tenants. It also highlights the role that small claims court can play in resolving disputes that might otherwise go unresolved.