Mouse infested sofa, can we ask the landlord for a new one

Hutchch0920

About a two weeks ago it became apparently that we have mice in our kitchen. We've bought traps, I've cleaned everywhere and checked for obvious holes.

Tonight we saw one dash under the sofa so lifted it up to investigate. The bottom is ripped up and there are several mouse chewed holes in the fabric. There's also lots of mouse poo inside.

I know we need to persist with treating the problem but is it acceptable to ask the landlord to buy a new sofa and throw this one out?

I also don't really know what to about some potential areas that they are coming in, one being a crevice in the wall behind the fridge and two being that the kitchen sink cupboard was not fitted properly so there's a huge hole in the inside which there is no way I could fix. There was lots of poo on this cupboard so I know this is an access point for them and have no idea what's underneath or behind the cupboard, so could be lots of holes!!

For clarity, I live in a houseshare with the landlord's brother.

Any advice gratefully received.

kinger101

You should certainly ask the landlord to get rid of the mouse infestation. Doubt he'll replace the sofa if it's just minor damage to the underside. It would be rather pointless until the mice are gone.

kilby_007

Were there mice there before you moved in? If they're established there'll be a nest somewhere and a route into the house. Speaking from experience, they can squeeze through very small gaps/holes. We had one enter through a wall penetration where the drain pipe passes through (the hole was only about half an inch wider than the pipe). We sealed it up, humanely got rid of the mouse and it never came back.


You also need to remove any food sources, so keep on top of hoovering in the living areas, including any crumbs that fall down the cracks in the sofa. If I was a landlord and you'd not kept on top of this then I'd be reluctant to pay for a new sofa but I think he's obliged to help you get rid of the mice.

TBagpuss

this might be useful in terms of responsibility for dealing with the problem.https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/pests_and_vermin_infestations_in_rented_homes
Obviously it can be difficult to establish when the problem started.

As Kilby says, mice can get in through very small spaces - I've read that a hole large enough for a pencil to fit in is large enough for a mouse, and having seen them squeeze through small spaces I think that's pretty accurate!

I think the first step is to get rd of the mice, then tlak to the landlord about replacing the sofa, but at that stage you can assess the degree of damage and whether it needs to be replaced or whether cleaning it is enough.

kinger101

TBagpuss wrote: »

I've read that a hole large enough for a pencil to fit in is large enough for a mouse, and having seen them squeeze through small spaces I think that's pretty accurate!

Isn't it about time you stopped sleeping in that shop window and started chasing some.

theartfullodger

Hutchch0920 wrote: »

..........I know we need to persist with treating the problem but is it acceptable to ask the landlord to buy a new sofa and throw this one out? ...........

You can ask landlord for a helicopter trip round New York: He may or may not agree, as is the case with the sofa.

I'd put the sofa outside right now or the little b*gg*rs will be breeding & getting worse....

Hutchch0920

I'd love to put the sofa outside! Unfortunately it's not mine.

I asked the landlord if he could lend a hand with treating the problem. He admitted they've had a problem with it in this house and another that he owns before and had hoped that laying laminate would cure it....he's asked me for vacant possession so that they can pour concrete flooring....this seems a bit drastic....all I asked him to do was fill a hole where the skirting was missing as we saw mousey run in there (and for the sofa to be cleaned/exterminated kinda thing).