DD went on a school residential trip last winter to a well known adventure holiday centre. She stayed two nights then I collected her as she became unwell. A few days later she came out in a rash which spread all over her body. I was called into school to collect her and was called into the head's office. Another parent whose daughter had shared a room with DD on the trip had discovered bedbugs in her suitcase. Her daughter explained the girls had seen bugs in their room, felt them crawling on them at night and had caught one. They showed the bug to a member of staff from the centre. Nothing was done and the girls were told not to worry. The other girls stayed 4 nights in total.
By the time the other parent's daughter had told her, we had all already unpacked the girls' clothes.
We had the house checked out and it seemed clear.
Last week I was changing DD's bed and found bedbugs. I've had Rentokil round and they've confirmed bugs in her room and a few in her brother's room. Apparently the bugs can lie dormant for 12-18 months until they find a host. They're quoting £2220 to treat the house. We have to declutter, remove all books, cds, paperwork and thoroughly check by hand and tumble dry all clothes/towels/bedding etc.
I've seen the company bedbug policy. It states they regularly inspect rooms, if any evidence of bugs they remove children, wash all their belongings and (vitally) notify school and families to take precautions with suitcases etc to prevent spread of bugs. None of this was done.
I emailed the company. They've offered £500 as a goodwill gesture. AIBU to think they should foot the whole bill? Not to mention the cost of running the tumble dryer for hours every day. They've refused to go higher. We've spent every spare minute decluttering, washing & tumble drying. I'm so angry that all this could have been avoided.
Does anyone have any experience of small claims? I really think they should pay. If they'd followed their own procedures none of this would have happened.