living with rats-mice

• The first time I saw a mouse in my house was when I was sat down watching TV around 1.00 am in the morning

• The flat was very quiet, and I was just reading a book when I heard scratching noises. In horror I observed a mouse on the kitchen floor. I gasped with surprise then I got angry. I went to the kitchen pulled out the fridge and noticed small dark brown droppings

• The experience was so sickening that I was not able to sleep or eat the following day. I just realised that the flat was infected with mice. I immediately informed the landlord

• If the infestation is found and reported after you started your tenancy and you have been living in the property for a while, then you will have legal responsibility

• >The reason for infestation can be holes in the external walls, garbage, waste food and other rubbish in the garden. However, if you can prove you didn’t cause the circumstances leading to the problem then the landlord will have to carry out repairs and deal with any infestation

• It’s a fact that vermin infestation can be classed as a statutory nuisance as it may be prejudicial to your health

• If it can be shown that the infestation or incursion is caused by the act, default or sufferance of the landlord or agent, tenants may be able to bring a prosecution under section 82 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990

• The first port of call is your landlord. He/she should be the first to know about the problem. The landlord should fix the problem and that will be end of your nightmare

• Councils use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System to assess if the property you are renting has hazards that could put your health at risk.

• They use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessment to identify who's responsible for doing any work that's needed.

• The council can take action against your landlord if the assessment shows your home isn't safe.

• In some cases, the council can do the work and recover the cost from your landlord Private, housing association or council tenants can complain to their council’s environmental health team and ask them to carry out an assessment of your rental accommodation.

• In case it is written in your tenancy agreement and the HHSRS shows that it is your duty to deal with the infestation and invasion of rodents then you this is what you can do: find the point of entry where the mice/rats are likely to use to get into your property. Make sure that all entry points are sealed with concrete.

Some suggestions and solutions on the market:

• Rat killer grain

• Pest stop electronic rat killer

• Electronic pest repellents

• Rat killer box

• Buy a cat

• The quickest and most effective way to get rid of rats from your rented accommodation is professional pest control. RENTOKIL offers a targeted rat control treatment, which includes:

• A Professional Survey - Highlighting the extent of infestation and potential access points:

• Fast Effective Treatments - Targeted eradication treatments:

• Proofing - Preventing future infestations:

• British Pest Control Association (BPCA) Certified Technicians:

• For more information go to

• Rentokil (open in new window)

• Keep foodstuffs in metal or glass containers with tight fitting lids

• Tidy inside the house and around the garden - less clutter means less places to hide

• Put outdoor rubbish bags in metal bins with securely fitting lids to stop them feeding from the contents

• Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids - preferably above ground level

• Keep gardens free from debris and keep clutter to a minimum

• If you have a compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them

• If you have already spotted signs of rats, such as droppings, prevention may already be too late

• We would advise you to act quickly to get rid of rats to prevent a larger infestation developing