Ohio rental company sued over alleged bedbugs

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Three roommates who say their rental furniture was infested with bedbugs have sued the southwest Ohio business that supplied the items.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Dayton says the roommates became infested with bedbugs after renting a couch, loveseat, lamps and tables from a Rent-A-Center. The lawsuit says they immediately developed red bumps from bug bites after moving the furniture into their home in February.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the lawsuit alleges the Rent-a-Center was negligent and caused emotional distress. It says the roommates had to hire an exterminator and get rid of many possessions.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial.

Messages seeking comment were left at the Rent-a-Center and at the Plano, Texas-based chain’s national headquarters.