Bats inside Bangor senior complex leaves tenant sleeping in tent, seeking rabies shots

Key Points:

• Gloria Stuart, a senior resident at St. Xavier’s Apartments in Bangor, Maine, experienced multiple bat intrusions in her apartment, leading her to take extreme measures like sleeping in a tent indoors for safety.
• Despite her requests for help, management initially declined assistance, and after a bat was captured and tested negative for rabies, bats returned, causing ongoing distress; Stuart underwent an extensive rabies post-exposure vaccination regimen due to potential exposure.
• Property management stated they responded promptly with pest control inspections, found no infestation, sealed entry points, and installed bat houses, emphasizing that bat activity is common in the area and they plan to educate residents on prevention.
• Legal experts highlight that any wild animal presence in living spaces may violate Maine’s Implied Warranty and Covenant of Habitability, requiring landlords to ensure safe and healthy housing conditions, with tenants advised to document issues and demand prompt remediation.
• Stuart’s case raises concerns about vulnerable residents, such as the elderly and disabled, living in the building, emphasizing the need for landlords to address wildlife intrusions seriously to protect tenant safety.