Rats in the loft - My problem or the Landlords

Superprouddad

We (my 3 year old daughter and I) live in a 1st floor council flat and despite having a loft hatch we are contractually not allowed in the loft space above. For months now we can hear rats scrabbling around in the roof space above us, but having contacted the council who are our landlords, they want ME to pay for the three visits it may take for them to come round and rid us of the infernal rat infestation. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Superprouddad said:

We (my 3 year old daughter and I) live in a 1st floor council flat and despite having a loft hatch we are contractually not allowed in the loft space above. For months now we can hear rats scrabbling around in the roof space above us, but having contacted the council who are our landlords, they want ME to pay for the three visits it may take for them to come round and rid us of the infernal rat infestation. 

What does your tenancy agreement say about things like this?  I assume the council know, and that's why they're telling you it's your responsibility, but they could be wrong.  

user1977

If you're not allowed in the loft then it sounds like it isn't "your" loft (which would make sense in a block of flats), so not sure why you'd be responsible for any pests in it?

Vectis

Do you know they're rats and not mice, for instance?

Why not simply open up the loft hatch, put a few traps up there near the entrance, shut it up, then go back the next day and see what, if anything, you've caught?

Yes, it might be the LL's responsibility, but that doesn't stop you doing something if it's you who is being affected.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

I've flagged this to be moved to the house buying/renting board where you might get more detailed advice on landlord obligations  

In general your council will have an official complaints process on their website, if the council are responsible for this matter but you aren't getting assistance and the complaints process covers tenant issues that is the best way to voice yourself with the council. 

FlorayG

It appears that it's not 'your' loft, so I don't see how you can be expected to pay. If they  were coming into your flat it might be more of your responsibility

p00hsticks

Vectis said:

Do you know they're rats and not mice, for instance?

Why not simply open up the loft hatch, put a few traps up there near the entrance, shut it up, then go back the next day and see what, if anything, you've caught?

Yes, it might be the LL's responsibility, but that doesn't stop you doing something if it's you who is being affected.

From my experience that's not going to get rid of the problem long term unless you can also work out how they are getting in (in my case they were coming through the small gap in a metal air vent at ground level and up the cavity wall - but once up there they were freely moving through the row of terraced houses at roof level...)

Grumpy_chap

Superprouddad said:

We (my 3 year old daughter and I) live in a 1st floor council flat and despite having a loft hatch we are contractually not allowed in the loft space above. For months now we can hear rats scrabbling around in the roof space above us, but having contacted the council who are our landlords, they want ME to pay for the three visits it may take for them to come round and rid us of the infernal rat infestation. 

Seems like this is a "House Buying, Renting and Selling" issue rather than Consumer Rights.

Does your lease / tenancy agreement say anything about the responsibility for vermin?

If there is nothing specific said about dealing with vermin, then this is often a tenant matter to deal with as the tenant is expected to act in a "tenant-like manner" and that would normally include dealing with vermin.
If there were ants in the kitchen, would you expect to deal with them yourself?  Rats are similar.

What exactly does the lease say about access to the loft?  It is unusual to have the access to the loft space but not be permitted access into the void.  (Presumably no-one else can access the void as they are not in your upstairs space.)  Restrictions on access to loft space tend to be more related to not using the void for storage (e.g. if the rafters are not strong enough), but only access for maintenance.

If the lease truly prohibits you from accessing the loft, and that is where the rats are, your option to take measures is highly restricted.  It may then be down to the freeholder.  If the freeholder is a social landlord / Council / Housing Association, I suspect they will be very slow to respond.

If there is a defect in the building that is allowing the rats to access the loft space, that may be down to the freeholder to address.  The previous comments about time for resolution to apply remain pertinent.  It may be easier to block any access points yourself.

subjecttocontract

It could be squirrels or birds.
* Send a formal complaint.
* Contact your local Councillor(s).

Ratkin007

What part of the council did you contact? If you contacted pest control then try the housing department/ housing officer who may need to make the referral. If it was housing you contacted, try going straight to pest control.

dannim12345

Might be a ‘computer says no’ to pest but if you try again (or if you did explain well before) put in a formal complaint and clearly explain its a block of flats and you do not have access to the loft / it’s not part of your property