Housing association says squirrel infestation is my responsibility, what can I do if I don't have the money?

[faofs]

Going through one of those periods in my life where absolutely everything is going wrong, from three deaths in my family one after the other, to my fridge freezer braking down, to my washing machine also breaking down, it goes on and on. I have no money to start with so could have done without needing to buy washing machines etc

Been hearing noises in the loft for months, so called my housing association who came out said it was birds making nests on the roof and not to worry about it, until today when I saw a family of 6 squirrels climbing the side of my flat into the loft, they have now moved into the space above the stairs on my landing and are right above my head.

Housing association just told me they no longer cover squirrels only rodents and its on me to cover the cost.

I do not have the money to do it not even sure when I will, it could be six months before I can do it, just been reading they can cause fires due to biting through wiring and can get into water tanks and leave droppings etc

what can i do about this until I save the money? scared of there being a fire now

Go back to them and explain that squirrels are rodents.

Squirrels are actually rodents and if they're grey squirrels they're not a protected species.

As the pp has suggested, get back to them and perhaps send them a link.

"In 1981 a law was passed determining the grey squirrel to be vermin. Why? Due to their destructive nature and the negative effect they have on the red squirrel."

https://integrumservices.co.uk/pest-control-blog/are-squirrels-rodents/

This!!!!

^This.... Squirrels belong firmly in the rodent family.

Contact citizens advice. Squirrel infestation is an emergency hazard’ as it falls under a change in law last October I believe (sorry vague recollection from a work issue).

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/centre-for-learning/key-topics/awaabs-law/

When we thought we had a rat in our ceiling the Rentokil man said ‘well at least it’s not squirrels! They’re the worst’. Tell them they squirrels are rodents and they need to deal with it as soon as possible.

forgot the pic of how they are getting in..

Can you get someone to move them on safely and not kill them :-( poor things. I hope if the housing do take responsibility then they don't kill them either ☹️

Yes. I think someone's checked the list and "rodents" are there but not "squirrels", and they haven't realised squirrels are included under rodents.

Well, that's definitely a grey.

Email the HA and send them a link clarifying that squirrels are rodents.

You've had excellent advice from @SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease .

There's a problem in our street with grey squirrels. An eejit down the road neighbour is feeding them, even inviting them into his living room.

At the moment, the only damage to my property is that I've lost bulbs in my borders, but I think that one got into a neighbour's house.

It's illegal to move them on. They have to be killed according to another link I've found.

https://merlinenvironmental.co.uk/blog/pests/squirrels/the-grey-squirrel-the-law-uk-the-rules-how-to-abide-by-them/

It's illegal to move them on. If you trap them you must kill them (humanely).

www.gov.uk/pest-control-on-your-property

can you actually get up to where they are living? My brother bought a humane squirrel trap for £15.99 from Amazon and caught them one by one. You would have to block the exit first. If you do it during the day, the family would hopefully be outside already

Grey squirrels are classified as vermin and are an invasive species, so relocating them is a crime. They should be euthanised by pest control.

I love a squirrel but yes, you don't want them in the loft. Chewing away and can cause damage to water pipes and electrics if you have them up there, both not a good idea.

If can't afford pest control, do you have a friend or member of family who is good with DIY? Need to block the entrance to your loft. I would say you need to do that anyway as they may come back.

Yeah, good luck with finding anyone who'd have a go in the courts with that one.

Not everyone hates living creatures, regardless of their label. And it's flipping humans that brought them over here anyway.

The worst thing they do is that they will piss on the plasterboard.

Eventually that will break through and you will get stinking brown spots all over your ceiling.

So better dealt with sooner rather than later.

Squirrels are actually really nice to eat and hard to come by as only a few specialist game merchants sell them. I'd be tempted to invest in a cheap air rifle, address your squirrel problem and your no money problem together and get some free dinners out of them.

Go back to them and explain they are responsible for sorting it out. By law.
Write to your MP for help.

I didn't know this! So it is actually possible to have a nice bit of squirrel for your Friday Night dinner!

You'd eat the baby squirrels? Or kill the parents and leave the babies to die? Nice.

(Yes, I'm vegetarian.)

I think you'll find wildlife charities will and have persued prosecutions to prevent non native species (like grey squirrels) harming native wildlife. It's not about hating animals but controlling numbers to prevent further harm to native animal populations.

The alternative is to kill them and dispose of them. Vegetarian or not, you're not going keep squirrels in your roof.

Unless you have opened the door to them inviting them in, or let them in through an open window they are not your responsibility.

There must be a point of entry in the building. The building is the responsibility of the housing association. Maintenance of the building such as roof, outside walls, gutters, barge boards, soffit, fascias etc, all their responsibility.

Even if you pay for a pest company to deal with the squirrels you have, there will be more in the future unless the building is maintained and any entry points dealt with. I work in housing, and nothing ever surprises me. Get back on to them.