Mouse damage in rented house - whose responsibility?

merlinthehappypig

We've had an intermittent problem with mice for the last couple of months. Nothing too serious until recently. The carpet in the study turned out to have been laid straight on top of a wooden floor which already had large (rat?) holes in each corner. The carpet over these holes didn't last long and we now have a 2" square hole in each corner of the carpet. I've out traps down, but not actually managed to catch anything yet.

About four weeks ago a mouse chewed through the main water pipe in the kitchen, flooding us out in that room.

I phoned the LA and the plumber came out and fixed the pipe. He confirmed that it was mouse damage, complaining that the main pipe should not be plastic and hidden behind cupboards.

I put down some poison and left the traps down. The poison went for a few nights, then nothing so that mouse was obviously dealt with.

Friday morning I came down to find that a mouse had chewed through the broadband cable:mad: . I fixed that and put all the traps out again.

This morning there has been a lot of damage. The mouse (or army of mice) has chewed the carpet up in two rooms in the corners and in three places upstairs.

I'll start the regime of poison again, but just wanted opinions on whose responsibility this is. Until this point I haven't mentioned it to the LA except for when the water pipe was eaten through. I've always lived in the country and always had mice, so didn't think it worth bothering the LA with.

I've taken photos of the damage and the holes in the floor/carpet. The problem is that, because it's a listed building, all the doors are old and ill-fitting and the mice can easily get from one room to another even if the doors are kept shut. The poison will work so I have no problems about getting rid of the problem without bothering the LA, but don't feel that the damage is our responsibility.

Should I tell the LA or just keep photos of the damage in case of queries when we leave? We have no inventory of any sort if that makes a difference.

lynzpower

has the landlord not sent rentokil around or anything?

merlinthehappypig

lynzpower wrote: »

has the landlord not sent rentokil around or anything?

No, nothing. They rang to check that the pipe had been repaired, but nothing else. I have never dealt with the LL directly, just the LA.

Lavendyr

Definitely inform the LA of the problem as soon as possible otherwise they may try to hold you accountable for the damage - since you did not inform them of it straight away. Assuming you're not leaving half-eaten food on the floor or anything that might attract mice, it's not your responsibility that there is a problem, but if the problem becomes worse because you did not report it to the letting agency, you could become liable for that.

My rule of thumb is, even if it seems absolutely negligible, tell the LA/LL of any potential problems - at least then you're covered, even if they choose to do nothing and the problem worsens.

chocolatechipcookies

Have you informed the LA about the mice? If you don't tell them, they won't know.

Horasio

When we had mice in our owned home, we called the council who didn't charge and dealt with it. Had it been a rental, I would have told the agent/landlord, so they are aware of the situation.

Rick62

I agree with lavender, its your LA responsibility but only if he is aware, so I would say that they are responsible for the first damage and will be responsible from when you notify them, but if you knew there was a problem and didn't inform them then it becomes your responsibility.

Imagine you had a leaking pipe but didn't inform the LA because you were a plumber and so were 'going to fix it myself', and what was initially a little patch of damp became a major problem, who would be liable then?

Debt_Free_Chick

How long have you been in the property?

merlinthehappypig

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

How long have you been in the property?

10 months.

The rat-shaped floor holes were there when we moved in, but the carpet covered them.

The LA is aware that we have a mouse problem as they got the plumber to fix the water pipe, but didn't offer any help to get rid of the mice, just fixed the pipe.

The concensus is that we should tell the LA so that's what we will do.

Thanks for all the comments.

Debt_Free_Chick

merlinthehappypig wrote: »

10 months.

The rat-shaped floor holes were there when we moved in, but the carpet covered them.

The LA is aware that we have a mouse problem as they got the plumber to fix the water pipe, but didn't offer any help to get rid of the mice, just fixed the pipe.

The concensus is that we should tell the LA so that's what we will do.

Thanks for all the comments.

But just tread carefully. You can't simply blame the LL and tell him it's his responsibility to sort it out. Imagine how you would feel if you were held responsible for a vermin problem in a property you hadn't lived in for nearly for a year

Certainly, if the holes are to blame, then the LL should deal with those. Pointless putting poison down if the relatives are simply going to use the same entry point.

I think you have to work together to an agreed "plan of attack" - as occupants your agreement and cooperation will be key. Whilst I'm not suggesting that you are to blame either, there are things you can do/refrain from to alleviate the problem.

You could suggest to the LL that you seek help from the local Council. They have poison which is not available to "mere mortals". They also have experience in placing the traps in the best place - they look for the "regular runs" that the mice use. And they can often pinpoint where they're getting in.

chappers

Blocking the holes won't do anything if they want to gain acces they will chew a hole through afloorboard in a n hour or so .
I would inform the letting agency, if only morally it should be your landlords responsibility to do something about it after all its in his interest to try and prevent further damage to his property. Have you tried calling the local council they may be able to do something for you.