Landlady refusing to treat flea infestation.

[SapphireSeptember]

The situation is thus. Cat got in the house through an open window and left some 'friends' behind. Landlady responded by saying whoever is letting the cats in needs to pay for treatment, as they shouldn't be getting in as all doors and windows should be shut and locked at all times. No one is letting the cats in, they're coming in by themselves! And we need to open the windows occasionally, otherwise we get mould problems instead.
I reported it though the correct channels on Friday night and the case has been closed. It's a HMO, landlady doesn't live here. What can I do about this?
I'm the only one who seems to get bitten, and I get a nasty reaction to the little buggers, although one of my housemates ended up with two in his tea this morning! We also got fleas about a year ago in similar circs, next door has three cats. I can understand it's frustrating for her to pay for treatment, but she doesn't have to live with it!

Not sure what you can do right now re the fleas, but you should easily be able to get something meshes or gridded to allow air in but keep cats out

I had a similar thing where my tenant had bedbugs. I did pay for a treatment but technically its not the landlord responsibility

I think this should definitely be for the tenants! It's not the landlady's fault at all.
Can you buy bug bombs where you are? They've always been cheap and effective here.

It is not the landlord's responsibility. Get it sorted and leave your windows open just a couple of inches.

The only thing that got rid of ours was washing the carpets with a machine we hired, I share your pain as I was allergic to the bites as well.
I am not sure if your landlord is liable though, only if it happened when you first moved in.

The landlady didn’t cause the infestation. The tenants did.

Hoover regularly (daily) and tumble dry all clothes and bed linen and bath linen. Should get them under control. But you need to keep cleaning.

I’m not a fan of bug bombs. You can resolve without them with good hygiene.

Definitely neither the landlady’s fault nor her responsibility to resolve!

Totally not the landladys fault or problem.

Missing the point entirely but are you in the UK? Its February blowing a gale and raining alot here atm. Definitely not the weather to have windows open and certainly not enough to let cats in. Brrrrr

Also.........shes got a point about windows and doors being closed - Ours are shut (or open a tiny crack but locked in that position) unless we are nearby/in the room.
The only ones we keep wide open in summer when we arent nearby are well away from any opportunity for burgulars/cats to get in.

Surely it's possible to open windows without doing it so wide cats can get in? And I'd have thought if you make a loud noise and commotion if they do get in then they're not going to keep coming back?

Some councils will spray properties with fleas. Or you can get something from the vet to spray carpets and upholstery.

Tenants' responsibility - unless fleas were there when you moved in.

Hmm, I think if windows are being left open wide enough for a cat to get in then it is more your responsibility. Are you able to leave them slightly ajar for a longer period to air the house?

We had fleas in our house when we moved in. Indorex spray got rid of them - especially on carpets/rugs.

Another vote for Indorex, it's the only thing that works. For sake of a tenner just get a can and spray it everywhere.

Presumably the LL didn’t open your windows to let them in so how on earth can she be responsible?!

I don't blame the landlady.... how did you arrive at the reasoning that this is her problem?

Your problem, not hers.

I'm with the landlady. I'm surprised the occasional visit from local cat would cause an infestation, has one of your house mates been keeping it in more often? Get some flea lamps from Amazon, keep the cat out and they'll be gone quite quickly.

I’ve seen several times on here that people should open windows to prevent mould (as the OP is doing), now you shouldn’t in case an animal enters your home! Cats will squeeze through very small gaps and will be able to knock windows off a latch or use their head to open windows wider to get in. I’d get some mesh OP, or sprinkle that ‘Get Off’ stuff or citrus oil around doorways/windows.

Tidy up, hoover and flea spray repeatedly. Hot wash your bedding every single day. Never leave your clothes on the floor. Always tuck everything in the wardrobe with door shut. It takes six months to completely get rid of fleas u less you get on top of it fast.
Use hydrocortisone to treat flea bites. Try not to scratch!!

Got a kitten in the summer last year. Never knew fleas existed let alone my allergy to flea bites. Took months to completely get rid because I was too slow to react. You need to act fast!! Apparently if the little buggers get to your mattress…toss the mattress and bedding out and start new. Also theoretically if the conditions are favourable you could have flea problems ALL YEAR ROUND 😨

@eekbumbler

Another vote for Indorex, it's the only thing that works. For sake of a tenner just get a can and spray it everywhere.

If you can get Indorex for a tenner, let me know

Flea eggs can survive viable for at least 17 years so it will need Indorex certainly, probably two goes so you get the hatched youngsters too.

It's not the fault of the LL though.

1. Get bug bombs to get rid of the fleas.
2. put mesh on your windows so you can open them without letting animals in.

It's not your landlord's problem, it's yours. sorry.

Unfortunately it’s just bad luck. A flea infestation that started after you began living in the property is your responsibility, not the landlord.

@ShippingNews

1) Get bug bombs to get rid of the fleas. 2) put mesh on your windows so you can open them without letting animals in.

It's not your landlord's problem, it's yours. sorry.

Agree with this. Definitely not a landlord problem to fix.

Fleas are the easiest of everything to get rid of. Get yourself a can of acclaim from amazon. £10. Stomp through the house, getting as close to the carpet edges and radiators as possible. (Vibrations make the eggs hatch.) And then spray the carpets, paying attention to the edges. Then go out. Acclaim is strong and it's not that bothered what or who it kills! If you can go away for a weekend or just the day so much the better. Open the windows and air when you get home. Repeat 1-2 weeks later. Result no fleas.

@DropYourSword

I think this should definitely be for the tenants! It's not the landlady's fault at all. Can you buy bug bombs where you are? They've always been cheap and effective here.

Yup. This.

Indorex. Spray everywhere You might need two goes a few days apart.
You don't need to throw away anything.
It's definitely your responsibility.