Flat building maintenance and mice

jee

Hi all I found a mouse in my kitchen and freaked out ( i have a significant phobia of all rodents).

I've had rentokil out twice- but they said the problem is light (ie. maybe just one got in) and due to a large hole (too big for normal gap fillers) in the kitchen floor where the communal water pipes runs through.

I'm on the top floor so I had a word with my neighbour downstairs to ask if he had a problem and to let him know where they're coming in from.

We have a leasehold mgt company (we're all freeholders) and I told them about the problem. I've asked them to contact all neighbours and have rentokil block go through the block blocking all holes to prevent the problem again.

We have a contract with Rentokil covering 4 blocks because it's London and there have been problems in other blocks.

Am I right in thinking this should come out of the service charge we pay?

They've mentioned that owners are responsible for blocking holes and keeping maintenance within the flat but I have and this large hole is from a communal pipe.

Additionally I would think this falls into building maintenance and they have a duty to carry out work in all flats?
I'm pressing this issue as i just don't feel comfortable at home knowing they can get into the flat.

thanks for any help

thejohn32

You should have a lease with the maintenance company and that will state what they are and are not responsible for. I have a Mgt Company for my flat and ever time we ask them to do anything the first answer is always that we have to pay for that seperate between all the occupants - that is until i find it in the lease that states it is there responsibility.

However the way the get round it, is just increasing your charges in the next period.

The mgt company usually work on a low profit, so what ever you pay into the pot, is all the money they have for that period, and once its gone its gone, they will not go into a deficit.

as for the hole in your property, if it is building then i agree it should be covered by them, and resolved - but again - read the lease well

jee

No surprise...the management company have told me that I am responsible as this does not fall into their responsibility.

I have told them that because I am the top floor flat- they should as building maintenance go through the flats and block that hole that is running through. However they say this is not their responsibility.

I think I'm going to write to them and advise that I will fill the hole myself but will bill them if it is chewed through.

Luckily it doesn't look like there has been much activity since I had rentokil out.

G_M

jee wrote: »

No surprise...the management company have told me that I am responsible as this does not fall into their responsibility.

I have told them that because I am the top floor flat- they should as building maintenance go through the flats and block that hole that is running through. However they say this is not their responsibility.

I think I'm going to write to them and advise that I will fill the hole myself but will bill them if it is chewed through.

Luckily it doesn't look like there has been much activity since I had rentokil out.

I can't believe it's much of a job. Just block the hole, or if you are unsure how, pay a handyman for an hour's labour).

Then you get peace of mind.

If you get the mgmt company to do it and/or the whole block you will end up paying for it somehow - either from this year's service charge if it's adequate, or through a one-off chrge o all residents to cover the cost, or through an adjustment to next year's charge.

They do work - you all pay. simple as that!

rosyw

I recently discovered I'd got mice in my integral garage, luckily no damage done, I invested around £30 in an electronic pest repeller as I don't like traps/poison, and so far no more mice :j

jee

G_M wrote: »

I can't believe it's much of a job. Just block the hole, or if you are unsure how, pay a handyman for an hour's labour).

Then you get peace of mind.

If you get the mgmt company to do it and/or the whole block you will end up paying for it somehow - either from this year's service charge if it's adequate, or through a one-off chrge o all residents to cover the cost, or through an adjustment to next year's charge.

They do work - you all pay. simple as that!

I was happy to pay for this out of the service charge or even a bit extra!
At least then I can have peace of mind that downstairs has also blocked access.

Unfortunatley I am going to have to pay to have it done. I'm to scared to poke around anywhere I know mice have been