Home buying /pests

Jrose1927

Hey guys

So we've had a offer accepted on a property we viewed which we are very happy with the house and area

We today we took a second viewing.

Looked out the window and saw 3 pests, rats, on the garden, in daylight didn't seem phased wandering around like it was normal, we went out and they ran off we seem to think they burrowed a hole under a patio area

There's no doubt in our mind the owner must no they are there as they seemed like it was normal them being there not just passing by.

What would you do? The estate agent said they'd inform the vendor, is there anything I can do as in say please get this issue sorted before exchange?

Advice would be great

Thanks guys

diggingdude

what type of area? urban, country cottage etc

Jrose1927

It's a residential area, to the rear of the property you've 2 cottages, there front doors are about a meter from the back garden wall of the property

The front of the property is on a main road in a village.

I just don't understand how the owners haven't brought the issue up and resolved it as its free pest Control in our council area

Davesnave

How would you know the issue had been 'sorted?' Presumably, you saw no rats on your first viewing.


Getting rid of rats may take more time than you will probably have before exchange. The bait boxes need to be in the rats' environment for a period before they will approach them. I think you should assume that if you buy this one, the job of eradication will fall to you.


I would look around the area to see if there is anything obvious that's encouraging the rats to live there. People tend to assume it will be a slovenly family with waste bags and old matresses in the garden, but often it's proximity to fast food outlets, or even over- zealous bird feeding.

lincroft1710

Rats often live in drains, so check if any of the drains are broken.

M_Python

Personally, I would run a mile :eek:

need_an_answer

No constructive advice that hasn't already been said ….I've now got a tune going round in my head!



...just be careful the rats don't make it to the kitchen!

Perhaps village folk are more tolerant of rats/mice etc but if it were me I'm running with the other poster.....

Jrose1927

My initial thoughts were to pull away from it all

But having spoke to a few people of course they are a common problem as there are so many around

The council offer free service but my completion date is 7 weeks today

Should I just ask for the process to be started?

There's no fast food outlets or piles of rubbish around the cottages behind seem very nice and clean

I believe they've put putio down and there's a hole to the side I'm guessing they are under it.

I really am in 2 minds right now :eek:

Damago

If it was me I'd get a professional in to investigate further where the hole under the patio leads to - could they have damaged any external walls / foundations underneath / hidden by the patio? It could cause more problems and be more difficult to get rid of them if they are living below there / getting into the walls of the house

Fire_Fox

need_an_answer wrote: »

No constructive advice that hasn't already been said ….I've now got a tune going round in my head!

...just be careful the rats don't make it to the kitchen!

Perhaps village folk are more tolerant of rats/mice etc but if it were me I'm running with the other poster.....

:rotfl:

Field mice and shrews are absolutely tiny, moleskin soft and super cute. One of my little cats used to bring them in from the fields behind our cottage regularly.

But sewer rats and their tails. _pale_ Urban areas in cities are horrendous, this is my third city! _pale_

Soot2006

Any compost bins/bird feeders in the vicinity? I had to move my bird feeders to the back of the garden as the debris attracted rats. And I have a terrier who merrily kills rats. They took the risk of death in their stride. Moved the bird feeder, and the rats moved farther away again. Had I not had the space, I'm afraid I'd have had to make a decision about feeding birds in winter!