Rats

Velcro_Hotdog

Morning

I live in a private rented property and for the past 12months we have had problems with rodents. First we had mice then we had squirrels in the roof and now rats, lastnight I found a rat in my bedroom inches away from my bed. The landlord is aware as are the council as they have sent the pest control out 3 times now. The problem we have is that we can’t stop the dirty little sods getting into the property, there are various access points and once under the floors they can pop up almost anywhere due to the uneven floor and gaps.

I have spent a small fortune buying poison bate, blocking holes and bleach to try and stop the pests but I seem to be fighting a losing battle. The landlord promises to help but he’s always either in France of at hospital with his wife. Moving is an option of course but it means moving out of the area as there aren’t any other properties to rent locally


Does the landlord have any responsibility to help?

Werdnal

If there are access holes in the property allowing the rats to enter, then this is "disrepair" and LL has a duty to address it. Whether he is abroad or too busy is no excuse, he could still arrange a tradesperson to do the work for him as he is responsible for the structure of the property.

Have you put your reports about the rats to your LL in writing? Write again, stating that as it is his obligation to maintain the structural integrity of the building to prevent rodents getting in, he should address this issue within the next 7 working days, otherwise you will be taking advice on your next steps to enforce repairs.

Then contact the EHO and request an urgent inspection (EHO will want proof you have given the LL adequate warning and time to respond hence the need for report in writing!). Just because council are aware, the EHO are likely to be a different department to pest control so may not know the situation, and you would have to formally ask them to investigate it. They can issue an enforcement notice to the LL to get work done. However, bear in mind that if LL does not like this, he can issue you notice in retaliation!

If it was just rats in the garden or around the property, LL would not necessarily have any responsibility as it is usually down to the occupants to deal with and pay for.

Velcro_Hotdog

Thanks for your reply :beer:

RuthnJasper

I do not, in any way, intend this to be taken as being cheeky - but have you thought about getting/are you able to get a cat (from an animal shelter ideally)?

I live in a rented HA house, right next to a small river and the allotments; it's a rat's paradise. Most of my neighbours have got cats and I've only ever had one minor rat problem at home (but enough about my ex-boyfriend, hehe - just kidding ). By the time Honey, Peaches, Oliver, Thunder and the other local felines have gone about their foul but useful business, we almost never see a rodent of any kind (and any that do manage to bypass the moggies are "taken care of" by my dog!).

I really feel for you OP, it's a horrible thing to have to deal with. Werdnal is spot-on with their advice though.

Best wishes - hope things get sorted soon. x

Velcro_Hotdog

You know I never thought of getting a cat it could be a win win. My girlfriend would love a cat and I would love to have no rats.

I assume cats are natural rat assasins and that no training is required?

Werdnal

Velcro_Hotdog wrote: »

You know I never thought of getting a cat it could be a win win. My girlfriend would love a cat and I would love to have no rats.

I assume cats are natural rat assasins and that no training is required?

I have had cats for years and they are not that reliable as ratters. They prefer small rodents - mice, voles, shrews etc, that don't fight back. They may also bring them in and let them go indoors, which will defeat the purpose!

Does your tenancy agreement allow you to have pets?

If you do get one, make sure there are no remnants of your poisoned bait around - cats eating toxic mice is not good!

Velcro_Hotdog

At this point I don't really care if I'm allowed to keep a cat or not. I'd get a lion if I could and I thought it would help

I'll check out the TA before doing anything

rosyw

If you are allowed pets you'd be better off getting yourself a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers are excellent "ratters" !

Velcro_Hotdog

rosyw wrote: »

If you are allowed pets you'd be better off getting yourself a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers are excellent "ratters" !

Was Eddie in the TV program Frasier a Jack Russell Terrier? I'd give one of those a home in a heart beat.

Plan C involves night vision gogles, a bottle of wine and a night sat still clutching some form of air rifle.

chris_m

Velcro_Hotdog wrote: »

Plan C involves night vision gogles, a bottle of wine and a night sat still clutching some form of air rifle.

Plan C reminds me of Jasper Carrott's cracking story of when he had a mole problem, involving a torch tied to his head, a swivel chair and a 12-bore.
Problem 1 - the neighbours just thought he was imitating a lighthouse.
Problem 2 - he'd never fired a shotgun before and ended up blowing all the apples out of his tree before spinning round and round on the chair till he was dizzy.
Problem 3 - he still never got the mole :rotfl:

rosyw

Velcro_Hotdog wrote: »

Was Eddie in the TV program Frasier a Jack Russell Terrier? I'd give one of those a home in a heart beat.

Plan C involves night vision gogles, a bottle of wine and a night sat still clutching some form of air rifle.

Yes, Eddie was a JRT

Plan C might be fun though - if a little extreme! :rotfl: