Greenwich stretches from riverside flats near the Thames to older terraces and large estates further south. Bed bugs do not care which kind of home you have. What changes is who is responsible for dealing with them.
What the council offers
Royal Greenwich runs a pest control team for its own housing. The council’s page says you can get help if you are a council tenant or leaseholder, and it describes that service as free. It also says the team can advise residents who need guidance about a pest problem.
For everyone else, the page points to private providers. If you own your home, you will normally arrange and pay for treatment yourself. The page does not list a bed bug price, so there is nothing to compare against, and quotes will vary.
If you are unsure which group you belong to, check your tenancy or lease. Council tenants should use the council’s pest team first. In contrast, private tenants and owner-occupiers should read our guide to London bed bug treatment before they book anyone.
If you rent
The council’s page says landlords must keep rented homes safe and free from health hazards. It adds that this might include paying for pest control treatments. It also says tenants can contact the council if a landlord is not meeting those duties.
Start with a written message that names the problem, the date you found it and any photographs. Then give your landlord a reasonable time to respond. However, if bugs are spreading or you cannot sleep, say so clearly, because urgency matters.
Our page on renters and landlords explains who normally pays and how to keep records. In addition, our post on how long treatment takes tells you what timescale to expect, so you can judge whether a landlord’s plan is realistic.
Flats and shared buildings in Greenwich
Many Greenwich homes sit in blocks and estates where neighbours share walls, floors and corridors. As a result, a single infested flat can send bugs into the units around it. A treatment that ignores the neighbours often fails.
Report the problem to your landlord, housing officer or managing agent so adjoining homes can be checked. For example, ask them to inspect the flats above, below and either side. Furthermore, avoid moving furniture between rooms or buildings until a technician has seen it.
Second-hand furniture is a common way bed bugs arrive. Our post on second-hand furniture and bed bugs explains how to check a sofa, bed frame or wardrobe before it comes inside. If you live near the border, bed bug guidance for neighbouring Lewisham is also worth a look.
Hotels, short lets and student rooms
Greenwich draws visitors to the riverside, the park and the O2, so hotels and short lets are part of the local picture. Operators who find bugs should isolate the room, tell guests honestly and book a qualified technician. Our page on hotels and short lets sets out a simple response plan.
Students in shared houses face their own problem, since several people use one kitchen and landing. Because of that, everyone in the house should check their beds on the same day. Otherwise, one person treats a room while bugs hide in the next.
Getting a fair inspection
Whoever inspects your home, ask what they will check and how they will record it. A technician should look at mattresses, bed frames, skirting boards and furniture seams. Specifically, they should explain how many visits they expect and what you must prepare.
Good questions to ask before you agree:
- How many visits are included in the price?
- What happens if live bugs are found after treatment?
- Which rooms will be treated?
- Is the quote in writing?
Next steps
First, confirm you have bed bugs rather than another biting insect. Then work out whether you are a council tenant, a private renter or an owner. That decides your route.
If you need help quickly, see our urgent bed bug help page. Meanwhile, what Bexley renters should check shows how a neighbouring council handles the same question. Check the council’s page before acting, because services can change.
Questions about bed bugs in Greenwich
Is bed bug treatment free in Greenwich?
The council's pest page says the service is free for council tenants and leaseholders. It also offers advice to other residents who have a pest problem. Owners and private renters should expect to arrange treatment themselves.
Who pays if I rent privately in Greenwich?
The council says landlords must keep rented homes safe and free from health hazards, and that this might include paying for pest control. Write to your landlord first, and contact the council if they do not act.
What if the bugs seem to come from next door?
The council's page says homeowners can contact its environmental health team if a pest problem comes from a neighbouring property. Try talking to the neighbour or their landlord first, and keep a note of what you tried.
Sources and further checks
Open each source before you act, because council services, prices, tenancy rules and product labels can change. We list the pages this guide relied on when it was last checked.