Council bed bug treatment depends on your borough and your tenancy. All six London councils we checked in October 2026 treat bed bugs for at least some residents, and council tenants often pay nothing. Where a price is published for other residents, it ranged from £186.26 (Hackney) to £283.52 (Camden). Westminster no longer takes private work.
Reviewed by James Rhoades, Owner, ThermoPest · Last reviewed 16 October 2026
If you’ve just found bed bugs, calling the council is a sensible first thought. This guide sets out what six London councils say on their own websites about bed bug treatment, who it’s for and what it costs, then compares that with private treatment so you can choose the right route for your home.
Does the council deal with bed bugs?
Many do, but it depends on where you live and who your landlord is. The NHS bedbugs page advises that if you think you have bedbugs, you should contact your local council or a pest control service. Councils set their own rules, so services differ from one borough to the next. Some treat everyone in the borough for a fee. Some only treat their own tenants and leaseholders. Some don’t publish a price online.
A few points apply almost everywhere:
- Council tenants usually book through the council’s housing or repairs line, and treatment is often included in the tenancy.
- Private renters are usually asked to contact their landlord first, because the landlord may be responsible for paying.
- Homeowners and leaseholders usually pay the council’s standard rate, where the council offers one.
What London Councils Offer and Charge for Bed Bugs
We checked each council’s own pest control pages on 16 October 2026. Prices are as each council publishes them, including VAT where stated. Councils change their services and fees, so check the linked page or call before you book.
| Council | Treats bed bugs? | Council tenants | Other residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | Yes, up to two visits | Free | From £283.52 for one bedroom and lounge, plus £119.83 per extra bedroom (rate listed for private landlords, including leaseholders) |
| Hackney | Yes, with insecticides | Book through the Repairs Team; the page doesn’t say whether there’s a charge | £186.26 for one visit, up to three rooms; paid when booking |
| Lambeth | Yes, two visits three weeks apart | No charge | £260.40 for up to two rooms, plus £108.00 per extra room |
| Southwark | Yes | Free for most pests | The cost page doesn’t list bed bugs by name; its insect rates run from £178.08 to £296.88, with discounts for people on benefits |
| Islington | Yes | Not stated on the page | No price published; book or call for a cost |
| Westminster | Council tenants and leaseholders only | Covered by the tenancy agreement; leaseholders are recharged through their service charge | Not taking on private work; the page points private residents to the BPCA |
A Few Details Worth Knowing
- Camden says its prices are “from” prices, aims to visit within 5 days for bed bugs, and asks you to prepare your home before the visit, saying treatment may be affected if its guidance isn’t followed.
- Hackney says it will contact you within 48 hours to book, takes payment at booking and charges £31 if you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice. Its page asks you to strip the bedding before officers arrive.
- Lambeth’s bed bug page says an adult must be present at each visit, and lists preparation such as lifting carpet edges and pulling furniture away from walls. It also offers a next-day service for £278.40.
- Southwark lists bed bugs among the pests it can treat, and says costs may be higher if pests are in more than five rooms.
If your borough isn’t listed, search for your council’s pest control page. GOV.UK has a tool to find your local council.
Is council bed bug treatment free?
For council tenants, often yes. Camden, Lambeth and Southwark all say on their websites that their own tenants don’t pay for bed bug or most pest treatments, and Westminster covers it under the tenancy. For everyone else it’s usually a paid service. Southwark is the only council we checked that publishes a discount for residents on benefits.
If you rent from a housing association, check with them first. They may have their own pest control arrangements.
Council vs Private Bed Bug Treatment: How They Compare
Councils and private companies both do useful work, and the right choice depends on your situation. This table compares a typical council service, based on the six pages above, with what you can expect from ThermoPest.
| What to compare | Council service | Private specialist (ThermoPest) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Varies by borough; some councils only treat their own tenants | Anyone: tenants, landlords, homeowners, businesses |
| Cost | Often free for council tenants; about £186 to £284 for others where a price is published | From £895 (studio/1-bed); see our pricing |
| Method | Insecticide treatment, where the council says (Hackney, Lambeth) | Heat-led, with targeted spray where it’s needed |
| Visits | One or two visits, depending on the council | Planned around the property; return visits may be needed |
| Flats | Not described on the pages we checked | We ask to inspect neighbouring flats |
| Guarantee | None mentioned on the pages we checked | 12-week guarantee |
| Discretion | Not stated | Unmarked vans |
Why the Treatment Method Matters
Most council bed bug services that describe their method use insecticide. Insecticide treatment has a place, but bed bugs can be hard to reach. The NHS says it’s very difficult to get rid of bedbugs yourself because they can be hard to find and may be resistant to some insecticides. A review by researchers at Rothamsted Research, published in Medical and Veterinary Entomology (Davies, Field and Williamson, 2012), links the return of bed bugs to resistance to pyrethroids, the main group of insecticides used against them, and reports control failures becoming more common.
That doesn’t mean a council treatment won’t work for you. It’s one reason preparation and follow-up visits matter so much with any spray-based treatment. Our guide to chemical bed bug treatment explains how sprays work and their limits.
Heat works differently, because it doesn’t depend on the bugs being sensitive to a chemical.
Bed bugs and their eggs die when held above about 50°C for long enough. We heat rooms to 50–60°C and hold that heat until the hardest-to-reach spots stay above 50°C. Rooms don’t heat evenly, so we place temperature monitors in known cold spots and hard-to-reach areas.
You can read more about what temperature kills bed bugs and their eggs, and whether heat treatment will damage furniture or electronics.
When the Council Route Makes Sense
- You’re a council tenant. Treatment is often included, so report it to your council’s housing or repairs team straight away.
- You’ve caught it early. A small, recent problem in one room may respond to a council treatment, especially if you follow the preparation guidance closely.
- Cost is the deciding factor. Where your council treats private homes, its published rate will usually be lower than a private heat treatment.
Whichever route you choose, keep watching after treatment. If you’re still being bitten or finding signs weeks later, tell whoever treated your home. Our guide to how long bed bug treatment takes explains what to expect afterwards.
When a Private Specialist May Suit You Better
- Your council doesn’t treat private homes, or doesn’t treat bed bugs at all.
- The infestation has spread to several rooms, or an earlier treatment hasn’t solved it.
- You’d prefer a heat-led treatment, or you want a written report and a guarantee.
- You live in a flat and suspect the bugs are coming from next door.
- You’re a landlord or business and need treatment arranged around tenants or guests.
At ThermoPest, our bed bug heat treatment is heat-led, with targeted spray where it’s needed. After a heat treatment you can usually go back into your home after 2 hours, unless your technician advises otherwise. Bed bug treatments come with our 12-week guarantee. For a full breakdown of costs, see our pricing.
Renting? Who Should Pay for Bed Bug Treatment
If you rent privately in England, tell your landlord as soon as you notice the problem, and keep a record in writing with dated photos. Shelter’s guidance on pests in rented homes says your landlord should deal with pests that were there when you moved in, or that are caused by a repair they must fix. It adds that you shouldn’t have to pay if your landlord is responsible, and that the council’s environmental health team can inspect your home.
If your landlord won’t act, our guide on what to do if your landlord won’t treat bed bugs walks through your options, and bed bugs and the Renters’ Rights Act covers recent changes. Rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check guidance for your nation. This is general information, not legal advice. Checked: October 2026.
Bed Bugs in Flats and Shared Buildings
In blocks of flats, bed bugs can move between homes along shared walls, pipes and corridors. If only one flat is treated, bugs living next door can come back in. That’s why, when we treat a flat, we ask to inspect neighbouring flats. If your building is managed by a council or housing association, tell them, because they may be able to arrange checks across the block. Read more in can bed bugs come from neighbours?
FAQs
Can the council help with bed bugs?
Often, yes. All six London councils we checked in October 2026 treat bed bugs for at least some residents. Council tenants are usually covered, while other residents usually pay a fee. Westminster now only treats its own tenants and leaseholders and suggests private residents contact the BPCA.
How much does the council charge for bed bug treatment?
It depends on the council. Where a price is published, Hackney charges £186.26 for one visit covering up to three rooms, Lambeth charges £260.40 for up to two rooms, and Camden’s rate for private landlords and leaseholders starts at £283.52 for one bedroom and a lounge. Islington doesn’t publish a price online.
Can I get free bed bug treatment?
If you’re a council tenant, you may well get treatment free. Camden and Lambeth say their tenants don’t pay, and Southwark says its tenants don’t pay for most treatments. If you rent privately, your landlord may be responsible for the cost. Homeowners usually pay, though Southwark offers discounted rates to residents on benefits.
Who do I call to get rid of bed bugs in London?
If you’re a council or housing association tenant, start with your landlord’s repairs line. Private renters should tell their landlord in writing. Homeowners can contact their council’s pest control service, where one exists, or a private specialist. Look for BPCA or NPTA membership as a sign of professional standards.
Not sure which route is right for you?
If you’ve found signs of bed bugs, an inspection will confirm what you’re dealing with and how far it has spread. ThermoPest is a member of the BPCA and NPTA, and our technicians arrive in unmarked vans.
