Rat(s) in garden - Rented

Gemm83

Just been sitting in my garden and saw a massive rat come through a hole in our fence from our neighbours garden. When I spotted it it scurried off down the side of the fence. It's the second time in 3 days we have seen a rat(s) in our garden. Each time it's come through the same hole in the fence and the ran off down either side of the shed. Not under. Obviously we don't know whether it's out on its daily exercise or whether it's coming "home". Our garden is pristine. No rubbish, no leaves built up, no compost heap, no food ever thrown out and no food in the shed. Our neighbour is a total snob and hates the fact that she lives next to a property that is rented. From talking to our other neighbours she has a history of being a total cow and creating issues to whoever the current tenant is, so I'm really loathed to mention it to her as "Well it couldn't possibly be from my garden". 

However, both my DH and I are currently furloughed, with no rent holiday so can't afford to pay for pest control to come deal with the issue. Also having 2 youngsters playing in the garden is worrying me a little.

Would it be our responsibility to pay or should we contact the letting agent?

TIA 

anselld

It would be your responsibility unless there was an actual defect in the property.  (A fence is never going to be rat-proof)
Just put some bait down, that is all the pest control will do anyway ...
     https://www.toolstation.com/the-big-cheese-rat-mouse-bait-station/p80953

greatcrested

The LL is not responsible for the presence of rats. He cannot control or be held liable for where they decide to live.

Unless he has either actively encouraged them (eg he lives next door and leaves food out...) or has failed to maintain the property properly (eg left rat-sized holes in the walls).

Rats will live where there are food sources. They will also roam up to 2 miles in search of food.

Best course of action is either poison, or traps - either way make sure children /other creatures don't eat/get caught!

https://www.screwfix.com/c/auto-cleaning/rat-mouse-traps/cat8680007

jimbog

Bird tables are an attraction - and they need plenty of water too

clive0510

from the title I was wondering why you were renting rats for you garden. the house directly opposite us used to have rats at the back of thier shed, and we had a huge ginger cat that used to go there and kill them. and bring them home sometimes.

Comms69

The obvious option is to put something up to block the hole, it's not fool proof, as rats are quite industrious, but they also dont go out of their way to get into places unless theres food available. 

Windofchange

I had this years ago. Rented with old uni mates, and we developed a rat issue. Next door was a bit of a well 'ard sort with two reasonably young children. Now, if you take a leaf out of his book on how to fix the problem, it was to bang on our door with two of his bigger mates behind him and make a promise of considerable violence upon my person if the rats bit one of his kids. Cue a bit of an altercation as I wasn't even aware of the issue, but pledged I'd go take a look so as to avoid "gettin mah f****g Ed kicked in". 

Oops, one of my housemates had left a load of dried pasta and other food in the garage at the bottom of the garden which she hadn't brought into the house, and there was quite literally about 50 of the buggers in there. We did a big clear up, disinfected, put down some poison and the such, and we never saw a rat again. As per above, they come to food and water sources, so get rid of them and no more rats. 

We nicknamed our neighbour ratty from there on in, and bridges were thoroughly burned later that year (quite literally) when we had a fireworks party and a stray rocket set fire to his garden shed. I've not come that close to losing my front teeth since the infamous rugby tour to Ely as a 19 year old - that's another story. We moved out a couple of years later, and shortly after I met 'ratty' at the hospital I work at. Unfortunately he had had a suspected stroke (he was a boozer / smoker), and was very down on his luck. Not like either of us could walk away at that moment, and we actually ended up becoming quite good friends as I saw him near daily for a few weeks. We left on a handshake and a you're not that bad mate. 

So yeah, clear up any food and water, don't set off fireworks into your easily angered and somewhat violent neighbours house, and put down some poison. 

onwards&upwards

Bit surprised to see people suggesting putting poison down in a suburban garden.  That could cause so much harm!  The rat isn’t even causing them any problems, they’re probably just a bit bolder with the reduction in traffic and humans tramping around everywhere! 

theartfullodger

I'm sure the kids will love ratty.  Bit of genuine education for  them in these lockdown times...

Grumpy_chap

Block up the hole in the fence and put down copious amounts of poison.

[Deleted User]

Dont worry. The rat has died of boredom waiting 2 months for your replies.