Rent-to-own News - Nevada mattress regulations could have significant impact on local RTO dealers

New sanitation requirements in Clark, County, Nevada will require all mattresses, bedding and upholstered furniture to undergo a high heat sterilization process before being re-rented, according to regulations approved by the Southern Nevada Health District.

The regulations, which were approved last October and will affect the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite and Boulder City, were issued after  an initial board of health investigation determined the use of chemical sanitizer was prone to human error and dry heat was the most consistent method of sanitation.

The regulations, which are more stringent than federal, state or local standards, require all mattresses, bedding and upholstered furniture to undergo a heat sterilization process that requires exposure of the items to 230 degree heat for over an hour.

"A huge issue for rental dealers is that the temperature would be destructive to the veneers and glue holding the furniture together," says APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III. "Essentially they would melt."

In addition, the rules require dealers construct 3 to 4 separate rooms to accommodate the sterilization process which must be inspected and approved. The health department acknowledges the regulations will have a significant economic impact on affected businesses.

Early cost estimates to meet these guidelines are in the "tens of thousands of dollars", according to Winn III.

Though bed bugs are not mentioned specifically in the regulations, the high temperature process noted has been recognized as an effective method to kill bed bug eggs.

Winn III says he is unaware of any third party companies offering a dry heat sanitation process in compliance with the new regulations.

"Rental dealers and APRO are in the process of reviewing the regulations and will likely approach the health department as a group," Winn III says, "in order to attempt to negotiate some satisfactory compromise to ensure the health and safety of Nevada citizens while allowing rental dealers to stay in business."

Although the new regulations were subject to three public hearings, Winn III says he does not know whether notice was sent to rent-to-own dealers or if any dealers submitted oral or written comments during the process.

mevans@rtohq.org