Rat Infestation

[6RCS27@CW]

OK a friend of mine resides in a COUNCIL property and she has a rat issue.The council ratman has been out 3x and they (the rats ) are still there.What is the local authorities moral and legal obligations wrt this problem.Thanx in advance.

[woofgang]

Moral obligations? Good luck with that! She needs to look at her councils website in the tenant section to find out what they are committed to doing

[Buenchico]

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/pests_and_vermin_infestations_in_rented_homes

[naomi24]

If the ratman has been in three times it would appear the council are fully aware of their obligations. If he hasn't found the cause or where the rats are getting in, call the council again.

[Peter Pedant]

agree Nigh
go on contacting them

the long answer is: the landlord has a duty to have a premise rat free - and the council are quite willing to serve enforcement notices on the landlord
clearly the council isnt going to enforce on itself
but yes as a landlord they have to get rid of them

usually requires one visit to be honest

there is quite extensive and old legislation on this
public health - rat control - rat damage control etc etc

somewhat embarassingly I was on the wrong end of an enforcement notice - the tenant was chucking cooked meat out into her garden - which everyone knows etc etc

[bodeker]

Hope your friend gets help with her problem . Think it depends on which council you are with . Ours could not give a rats ars@ about the vermin in our area along with fly tipping , mice , bed bugs and cockroaches despite tenants doing their best to get some action taken :(