Rats in rented house - would you move?

[BubblesWoo]

I’ll start by prefacing I have a horrible phobia of rats so unsure if I am incapable of viewing this logically.

DP and I rent a 1920’s terraced house. The basement/old coal cellar is sealed off and inaccessible. In front of the kitchen window the old access is concreted but is cracking and dipping (but not moving).

Moved in in September 2021 - when replacing the washing machine found an invoice for rat treatment done in March 2021 for the previous tenant. Bad sign 1. Hoped it had been dealt with although the invoice said unable to access cellar.

January 2022 heard rats behind the washing machine scratching 😭 spoke to the letting agent who sent pest control out - they laid poison and sealed up a hole in the concrete and the rats seemed to die within a week. The pest control man told us he really needed to access the cellar to check for other access points but the landlord/letting agents didn’t want to do this and as I didn’t want to kick up a fuss. We also pulled the washing machine out and stuffed the holes with plastic bags and laid snap traps as an extra measure.

No further issues until today when I found my tulip bulbs I was storing in the cupboard under the sink had been munched and found one with clear bite marks on half eaten (there is a hole in the back of the cupboard for the water stop tap and for the plug for the washing machine). Pest control are coming out again on Monday.

I’m assuming the pest control man will just lay poison again and if he can’t access the basement to seal any entry points it’s just going to keep happening and the rats will keep coming back. I’ve specified this in an email to the letting agent.

The properly is also in the process of being sold to another landlord. Our tenancy is up in September. Should we just cut our losses and move? It’s a shame as we love the area and the neighbours are nice. However I hate rats and am really scared we’ll tie ourselves into another 12 month tenancy and keep having rodent issues.

Should add I spoke to the neighbours who advised they and the previous tenants also had issues with rats. Eughhhh.

This is exactly how I feel!

Leave, leave, leave. I don't blame you for crying, it sounds horrendous.

Thank you for the support. The pest control man has been out again - he said without getting into the cellar and looking under the floor then there is nothing he can do but put poison down.

Definitely rats - he found droppings under the kick-boards. He estimates one or two have been accessing the property based on the amount of droppings.

He attended in March 2021 when the old tenants were here. He said the landlord refused him and a plumber access to the cellar.

I've handed my notice in and we are viewing a new property on Wednesday. We’re getting into debt/using some savings but what other choice do we have?

Currently waiting for letting agents to ring back. I’m going to insist they get access to the cellar as I’m not prepared to live here with a live rat infestation for two more months.

If they don’t resolve the issue then I’ll be going to environmental health once we’ve passed referencing for the next property and looking at an enforcement notice if needed.

Well done OP. Just want to mention that no matter what your tenancy agreement states you have the right to refuse the all of following:

• To Let or For Sale signs being put up


• Photos of the inside for putting house on rental or sale market as these will be pictures of your possessions


• Access for viewings

I was just evicted (finally have found a place) and Shelter had advised me of these above rights which I did exercise as it’s stressful enough to be forced to move without adding in any extra stress. The LL can wait until the place is vacant.

Obviously, it’s up to you, but just wanted to let you know your rights since you’ve handed in your notice.