Rats again :o(

25.lindsay

We're almost in the last month of out tennancy (handed in our notice to end on 8th April) and lo and behold our problem of this time last year has returned - rats, indoors, I saw it looking at me from the the tv yesterday and have found droppings in the kitchen behind the cooker (I only had this out last month to clean behind it too). My 2 year old daughter and me (6 months pregnant) were both sick this week - could be a tummy bug thats going round and just coincidence but this time our LL are coming round to "inspect the situation" where as on the past two previous occasions pest controllers have been sent immediately to put bait down. What I wondered is do we have any rights left being that we've given our notice and have to just put up with it? I just know our LL are not going to do anything about it - but we have still to pay our final months rent for the privalege of living here. I wouldn't withold it - but at the same time we're still paying for a service surely???

PS: Oh and no we can't move into our next property and earlier - its not ready and we can't afford 2 lots of rent

Milliewilly

25.lindsay wrote: »

We're almost in the last month of out tennancy (handed in our notice to end on 8th April) and lo and behold our problem of this time last year has returned - rats, indoors, I saw it looking at me from the the tv yesterday and have found droppings in the kitchen behind the cooker (I only had this out last month to clean behind it too). My 2 year old daughter and me (6 months pregnant) were both sick this week - could be a tummy bug thats going round and just coincidence but this time our LL are coming round to "inspect the situation" where as on the past two previous occasions pest controllers have been sent immediately to put bait down. What I wondered is do we have any rights left being that we've given our notice and have to just put up with it? I just know our LL are not going to do anything about it - but we have still to pay our final months rent for the privalege of living here. I wouldn't withold it - but at the same time we're still paying for a service surely???

PS: Oh and no we can't move into our next property and earlier - its not ready and we can't afford 2 lots of rent

Find out where its coming in from and block it up - are you sure its a rat and not a mouse as there must be a big hole somewhere for it to get inside.

Put a wellington boot along the skirting board. When said rat goes in pick up wellington, fold top over and take rat away to discard as you wish .

Jowo_2

Does your local council offer a free pest control service or do they make it the responsibility of the landlord?

25.lindsay

the council don't offfer pest control - just recommend a chap (who came to us last year) at the cost of the LL (£40 apparently) and looking at the size of the droppings, yup definately a rat. Plus also this is our third "occupation" in 12 months, and coincidentally said LL decided to offer to clear up a neighbouring garden that is well - overgrown is an understatement - I'm thinking nests may be disturbed and we're the "week" property - and yes there is a stream at the bottom of the garden, but that doesn't make it right - our neighbours don't get rats indoors, why should we!???

PS: Oh and rat(s) is everywhere, from front lounge through to kitchen I'd love to catch it and dispose at my wish but how!!!!!
Previous rat inspectors, looked for the hole where they are gaining entry and well there is too many loose floorboards to mention!!!

Fire_Fox

Speak to Environmental Health about vermin and the neighbouring garden. Are you reporting the problems with the rats, loose floorboards etc. to your landlord in writing? In both cases be clear that you are pregnant and have a two year old as there should be a greater urgency in this case. Are all dry goods in your kitchen stored in sealed tupperware, glass or metal containers? An easy way to block up access holes for vermim is expanding foam.

25.lindsay

yes, since our first episode only tins and crockery are in the low cupboards and all dried goods are up high. Bread is in a stone bread bin etc.... but they still semm to like us! EHO are serving a notice to our LL on all the other issues in the house and are verbally aware that the rats have returned. I know we only have a month left here, but I'm concerned about our health - DH is now squiffy today....:o(

Debt_Free_Chick

25.lindsay wrote: »

our neighbours don't get rats indoors, why should we!???

Because there's an access point to and from the property. Must be a hole somewhere that needs blocking, then poison down to finish 'em off.

Sounds like another rattie family moved in after the bait was removed last year.