Found a mouse in rental property

917700

Hi all, the rental property is a ground floor flat.

I noticed a small mouse in the kitchen, it runs into the gas underneath the wash machine. Who should take responsibility for this?

Also, I notice water patch around the garden patio door after heavy rains, do I need to do anything other than report it to the landlord?

When I moved in, I did suggested the landlord to repair missing sealant in the Kitchen, bathroom worktops, but she did intend to spend money on that. 

Thanks

AdrianC

When that happens here, it's usually the cat's fault. Little sod brings them in the cat flap, then gets bored and loses them.

ProDave

Buy a tub of rat poison and put it in a dish under the kitchen units.

In an old house you can NEVER stop them getting it, they can fit through the hole in an air brick, and old houses are built with far too many holes in them to make them mouse proof.

You could pester the LL and all he would do is send a pest control company round who would do just that. So avoid the hassle and do it yourself.

Just be thankful it is a mouse, not a rat.

917700

AdrianC said:

When that happens here, it's usually the cat's fault. Little sod brings them in the cat flap, then gets bored and loses them.

lol, should i suggest my landlord to have a cat to protect her property

917700

ProDave said:

Buy a tub of rat poison and put it in a dish under the kitchen units.

In an old house you can NEVER stop them getting it, they can fit through the hole in an air brick, and old houses are built with far too many holes in them to make them mouse proof.

You could pester the LL and all he would do is send a pest control company round who would do just that. So avoid the hassle and do it yourself.

Just be thankful it is a mouse, not a rat.

Thanks, will do

But, do i still need to let the landlord know this?

davidmcn

917700 said:

ProDave said:

Buy a tub of rat poison and put it in a dish under the kitchen units.

In an old house you can NEVER stop them getting it, they can fit through the hole in an air brick, and old houses are built with far too many holes in them to make them mouse proof.

You could pester the LL and all he would do is send a pest control company round who would do just that. So avoid the hassle and do it yourself.

Just be thankful it is a mouse, not a rat.

But, do i still need to let the landlord know this?

Only if you think there is some sort of relevant repair the landlord needs to do (if the mice are getting in e.g. via a hole which shouldn't be there). Otherwise this is generally the sort of stuff which any occupier sorts out by themselves.

Skiddaw1

AdrianC said:

When that happens here, it's usually the cat's fault. Little sod brings them in the cat flap, then gets bored and loses them.

Snap!

OP, I'd recommend one of the humane traps rather than poison. Such as this:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/pest-stop-electronic-mouse-killer/45407

AdrianC

917700 said:

AdrianC said:

When that happens here, it's usually the cat's fault. Little sod brings them in the cat flap, then gets bored and loses them.

lol, should i suggest my landlord to have a cat to protect her property

Well, it'll give you somebody to blame...

numbercruncher8

If you see a mouse, you probably have more than one.

This sort of thing is the landlords responsibility, on the assumption you have not been negligent. Depending on where they are coming in, there may be a quick fix... pest control can move washing machines, get under kitchen units, gaps can be filled with a mixture of expandable foam and steel wire. They also have access to the more potent poisons which the public cannot buy. But if the entry point is unknown or inaccessible then it may be harder.

Left unchecked it can become a worse problem due to fast breeding times and obviously a health issue due to droppings and urine being left around. 

With regard to water ingress you need to see where it is coming from - ie, the door, the roof? It may be a fairly easy fix as well. 

greatcrested

The mouse should be paying rent. Either to you if it's a lodger, or to your landlord if you have a joint tenancy.

Seriously, buy this:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/pest-stop-sure-set-plastic-mousetraps-2-pack/70203

Peanut butter works well.

If the damp patch might be causing damage eg by rotting woorwork then your duty to act in a 'tenant-like manner' requires you to report it, in writing, to the landlord, at the postal address provided 'for serving notices'.

clive0510

A mouse won't hurt you. we get them here all the time. cat sorts them out. that's his job.