Rented Property and Fleas

LeanneD

We moved into our rented property on April 10th this year.

We were told the property was professionally cleaned and fumigated before we moved in as the previous tenant had 2 cats.

Despite the professional cleaning, there was still cat hair covering the upstairs carpets as well as balls of it in the corner of the small bedroom.

I have since encountered fleas, jumping on me and my newborn baby.

I have contacted the agent about this and just said that it has already been fumigated and to just put some flea powder down as it must be "the last few".

I'm no expert, but from what I understand just one flea can lay eggs after feeding and there could still be eggs and/or pupae in the property. What are our rights here? Can we have it fumigated again and request reimbursement? I really don't want to live in a flea pit.

macman

Insist (in wriiting) that the agent inspects and remedies the issue. If you fumigate at your expense then you may not get reimbursed.

G_M

WRITE.

Send by 1st class post to the landlord at the address "for the serving of notices".

Also read the Shelter advice re doing work yourself and deducting the cost from rent - you MUST follow the process as described....

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/tenants_repairs_and_improvements/tenants_doing_repairs

LeanneD

Thank you for the above!

I'll look into that and follow the procedure set out. Many thanks!

princeofpounds

Yes, technically you shouldn't let the agent fob you off.


However, there may be an easier solution. If you buy a couple of cans of proper fleaspray (not the ordinary supermarket stuff - something like Acclaim but other brands are available) with the long-lasting egg killing chemical, it is very very effective. You probably don't need to wait for an expensive and inconvenient fumigation.

Mocha61

I agree with princeofpounds comment regarding flea spray, having cats myself i use Acclaim it works quickly in killing the fleas and eggs. One treatment normally last for 9 months, get the money back from the LA.

fairy_lights

If there was still cat hair covering the carpets then I doubt they had the flat professionally cleaned at all. Did you take photos when you moved in showing the hair?

anselld

Deffinately Acclaim. Don't buy at the Vets though they charge a fortune for it. Less than a tenner online.

Transformers

... and please don't feel the need to emphasise the 'newborn baby' aspect as it just makes people want to roll their eyes and think you're being precious.

Bossypants

Nth'ing the Acclaim suggestion, also a standard flea collar in the vacuum bag will knock out anything that tries to hatch in there.

LeanneD

Thanks for the advice everyone. Managed to get rid of the problem with the at home flea powders, made sure to move all the furniture and get into every nook and cranny! Seemed to have done the trick. Though no refund on the stuff we bought.

Transformers wrote: »

... and please don't feel the need to emphasise the 'newborn baby' aspect as it just makes people want to roll their eyes and think you're being precious.

The fleas were very attracted to him for some reason. As a first time parent, yes I was being precious of my son, didn't quite fancy him covered in flea bites. People can roll their eyes, I'm not ashamed.