Mice dropping in the loft but none in the flat

Raneynickel4

Just had a survey done on a flat I'm trying to buy - Built in '70s, ex-LA top floor flat (first floor). Some very minor things flagged up in survey, was very pleased with how it turned out! Seems like it's been well maintained. However there was no mention of pest infestation, so I asked the surveyor to confirm if he had seen any rodent droppings anywhere - and he said none in the flat, but he did see "a few" in the loft and sent me a picture. 
I've lived in rented places in the past with mice, and I do not want to go through that experience again. But I was wondering what my options are at this point. So obviously I will enquire (via solicitors) if there has been past/current problems with rodents, but is it worth getting a pest expert to assess the situation (i.e. if the droppings are old or fresh etc).
Also, I was wondering how common is it for there to be rodent droppings in lofts and if its actually something I should be worried about? Anyone here got experiences with seeing mice droppings in the loft during a survey/viewing and not had any rodents in the actual flat? I know how difficult it is to get rid of them so I'd rather not be in that situation in the first place.

macman

I doubt if there is a loft anywhere in the country that hasn't at some time had rodents living in it. They'll go anywhere that has a source of food and nesting material

youth_leader

I remember moving into our very old rural house and wondering why the previous owners had left so many chocolate sprinkles in the kitchen cupboards  

Raneynickel4

youth_leader said:

I remember moving into our very old rural house and wondering why the previous owners had left so many chocolate sprinkles in the kitchen cupboards  

lol! would be nice if they did produce chocolate instead...

jimbog

Raneynickel4 said:

 I asked the surveyor to confirm if he had seen any rodent droppings anywhere - and he said none in the flat, but he did see "a few" in the loft and sent me a picture. 

Were they mouse or rat droppings?

Raneynickel4

jimbog said:

Raneynickel4 said:

 I asked the surveyor to confirm if he had seen any rodent droppings anywhere - and he said none in the flat, but he did see "a few" in the loft and sent me a picture. 

Were they mouse or rat droppings?

Mouse, they're too small to be rat.

youth_leader

I was a slow learner and a few week's later found a mouse stuck and drowned in the kid's chocolate ice cream sauce tube - started storing everything in tins after that.  Did live on a railway line, they were everywhere, found brillo pads best hole stopper upper.