Leaving contract early due to pests

Froudeez

Hi all

We have had problems with rats running round our kitchen since October. On our contract it's down to us to deal with any pest issues, but luckily we have a very kind landlord who has agreed to pay for it instead as we are low on money at the moment.

We have had surveys done by pest control and it has come back that it is next doors drainage, a problem that needs to be sorted from their side. The next door neighbours are refusing to fix the issue.

The landlord has apologised to us and said there is no more he can do. Which I completely understand as it's down to next door now. He left us with a big box of poison and told my partner he would need to top bait trays up each week.

I am 2 months pregnant and very worried about having rats running around now, plus open poison trays. The landlord said I should not go anywhere near it as its very harmful to the baby - but the house is tiny and if my partner spills it and it gets walked into the carpet or something...

We have decided because of this to move. Our contract is due for renewal in November, but we would rather move now while I'm in early pregnancy and I'm more active. Plus baby is due in November.

I am just wondering what would happen if we just gave our notice now and said we were moving. Would we have to continue paying rent until November? Or would we just tell them to keep the deposit? Whats the easiest and cheapest way to get out quickly?

Thanks in advance for your help

tealady

Hi
Have you spoken to your Councils environmental health department to see if there is anything they can do (dont know if the Prevention of damage by pests act covers this)

babyblade41

Try environmental health with a copy of the report showing the problem being caused by next door. Block any holes with either wire wool and or aviary mesh

You can always leave early but you will be most likely penalised for the rest of the rent, ad costs and finding another tenant as it's no way the LL's fault and he has helped as much as possible.

Money is going to get even tighter with a baby on the way so possibly sort the problem with next door

Gwendo40

If the rats are coming from next doors drains there must still be a way to prevent them from actually entering your kitchen? Presumably they're coming in through a hole in the wall or floor?

(Although I don't blame you for just wanting to move entirely if there is a serious rat problem in the vicinity of your property)

[Deleted User]

I can't advise as to moving out. I hope your LL will permit this.

Meanwhile..,

I had a problem with mice. I laid some fluorescent power down fluorescent rodent tracking powder so I could see where they were gaining entrance to my property. Then I laid wooden traps to trap the rodents against the tracks/holes in wall I found as a result. I actually found there was a nest under an old big fridge freezer as well. We also trapped rodents in the bedrooms.

I did not use any poisons. But it has to be said, as long as you don't touch the poison, it won't cause you problems.

A month and no more rodents. Not pleasant but all I could do.

There had been rubbish in a passageway behind my property removed, I believe this is what made the rodents seek a new place to live. Do you have a similar problem nearby (phone the council to get it cleared, this will take time)?

Keep all food products in sealed containers. In my case plastic containers were ok but rodents can chew through them.

Do not prepare any food without cleaning all surfaces very thoroughly. This should be your main concern as rodents pee as they run.

saajan_12

Froudeez wrote: »

Hi all

We have had problems with rats running round our kitchen since October. On our contract it's down to us to deal with any pest issues, but luckily we have a very kind landlord who has agreed to pay for it instead as we are low on money at the moment. - regardless of the contract, were the pest issues pre-existing when you moved in or did they start later? The LL should be responsible for getting the property in good repair, so blocking pre-existing holes that would allow pests, but after that if there's an ongoing problem due to the residents / neighbours keeping food out, encouragign pests which makes the holes bigger etc, then that's not on the LL.

We have had surveys done by pest control and it has come back that it is next doors drainage, a problem that needs to be sorted from their side. The next door neighbours are refusing to fix the issue. - what exactly needs to be done, and what's their issue with fixing it? Can you offer to contribute / do the leg work? Might be cheaper / less hassle than moving.

The landlord has apologised to us and said there is no more he can do. Which I completely understand as it's down to next door now. He left us with a big box of poison and told my partner he would need to top bait trays up each week.

I am 2 months pregnant and very worried about having rats running around now, plus open poison trays. The landlord said I should not go anywhere near it as its very harmful to the baby - but the house is tiny and if my partner spills it and it gets walked into the carpet or something... - so don't eat anything that falls on the floor, disinfect kitchen surfaces and walk around in slippers.. how can it harm the baby then?

We have decided because of this to move. Our contract is due for renewal in November, but we would rather move now while I'm in early pregnancy and I'm more active. Plus baby is due in November.

I am just wondering what would happen if we just gave our notice now and said we were moving. If you're within a fixed term with no break clause, then serving notice now would be legally meaningless. Its the same as just stopping paying. Would we have to continue paying rent until November? - Yes, if there were no new tenants / no agreement with the LL otherwise. Or would we just tell them to keep the deposit? Whats the easiest and cheapest way to get out quickly? - come to an agreement for an early termination with the LL. Note they don't have to agree to anything.

Thanks in advance for your help

Re moving:
1) Check when your fixed term ends and whether you have a 'break clause'.
2) If no break clause, then talk to the LL to negotiate an early surrender. You could offer to leave on x date, accommodate viewings, pay for readvertising / re referencing costs etc, and pay the LL some extra £ for their trouble
3) If the LL refuses (which they are perfectly allowed to do) then you'll have to pay rent until the end of the fixed term. Make sure you clean etc so you at least get your deposit back.

Practically, if (1) or (2) don't work then it will be cheaper to stay put and negotiate with the neighbour to get the work done.

bouicca21

There are rats in or about the garden of my property, but they know better than to come inside.

Nevertheless we have laid poison - but it’s enclosed in ‘traps’ that only rats can access. Don’t just lay poison where other animals (including dogs and children) can get at it.

And yes, get on to Environmental Health. They will sort it.

elsien

bouicca21 wrote: »

There are rats in or about the garden of my property, but they know better than to come inside.

Nevertheless we have laid poison - but it’s enclosed in ‘traps’ that only rats can access. Don’t just lay poison where other animals (including dogs and children) can get at it.

And yes, get on to Environmental Health. They will sort it.

There's rats in and about the garden of most properties, but unless they're nesting/multiplying we usually don't see them. Mine tend to pop up in my compost bin once in a while. The issue is when they proliferate and become a nuisance.