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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call Council over Vermin in rented cottage?

34 replies

pinkingshears · 02/11/2017 20:53

Have been in a rented cottage for a year, It's quite nice BUT
When I moved in last autumn there was a biggish rat problem.
(cottage had been empty for 6m).
It took about 8 weeks for the landlord to get a proper pest control person around ('it's bats' / birds / mice / your imagination) who confirmed major issue in attic. I had photos of dead rats after on doorstep etc.
Now again there is an issue. Mice this time but I am catching 8 a day and they are running all around. I have two kids (10 and 13) so it is NOT okay.
I have asked him 4 times over last 6 weeks and nada.
Shall I just call the Council?
Will he then give me notice?

OP posts:
milliemolliemou · 04/11/2017 14:20

LL with rats in own house, rural area, only stopped when fascia boards/drainpipes covered - yes, a rat can genuinely get up a drainpipe.

Took ages to find all the ingress points and clear the issue. I would never let someone live in a rodent-infested house and don't.

OP have the rats been dealt with? Now it's mice? I would definitely contact a rodent expert (without paying) and ask for a price. Also alert the local council that you have a problem. Then present your LL with price and the issue and any of the prices of mice deterrents eg the sonic ones people have been suggesting. Mice pee everywhere because for some reason they're not continent so while you're waiting for this to be resolved make sure everything is covered.

musicposy · 04/11/2017 14:21

We live rurally and we're overrun with mice despite my best efforts until we got our cat. So not entirely a myth; depends on the cat. We've had him 12 years now and not a whiff of a mouse other than the many dead ones he deposits.

Our local cat rescue is great at knowing the personality of their cats. If you go and say you need a good mouser/ cat with a strong hunting instinct they will find you the right one. They often have farm cats/ kittens who are ideal. I'd investigate that. Yes, our cat isn't without work and expense but way less so than all the mice we had.

Ifearthecold · 04/11/2017 14:29

We have a country cottage, we had mice move in during winter, I was horrified but told it was really normal in the country. As a landlord I would pay to try and deal with the mice as I wouldn't want them damaging my property but I would then ask you to continue with the strategy for the rest of the winter, poison in the eaves, or traps. But I cannot imagine the council is going to get involved regardless of which one of you pays. Also if I got someone in and they told that you had done something to attract the mice, food in bedrooms say then I would expect you to pay to deal with it. But if it was just mice seeking shelter I would work with you.

Mittens1969 · 04/11/2017 14:38

*We live rurally and we're overrun with mice despite my best efforts until we got our cat. So not entirely a myth; depends on the cat. We've had him 12 years now and not a whiff of a mouse other than the many dead ones he deposits.

Our local cat rescue is great at knowing the personality of their cats. If you go and say you need a good mouser/ cat with a strong hunting instinct they will find you the right one. They often have farm cats/ kittens who are ideal. I'd investigate that. Yes, our cat isn't without work and expense but way less so than all the mice we had.*

This. One of our cats is a great hunter, never fails to kill them. The others don’t bother.

Mittens1969 · 04/11/2017 14:38

It’s definitely way a try. Farms rely on cats after all.

Cheeseontoastie · 04/11/2017 15:41

Mine did kill them well one of my cats anyway. But they didn't stop coming in. Took a year to stop it, certainly not the quickest method.

hesterton · 04/11/2017 15:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blue25 · 04/11/2017 15:58

Mice are completely normal and to be expected in rural locations. Just get pest control out quickly. Don't keep waiting around hoping the landlord will do something. You need to deal with it quickly.

Original poster
pinkingshears · 05/11/2017 11:39

PetalStretch
Thank you!

When I moved in the place appeared clean and decent.
It had stood empty for 6m and the rats had moved into the attic via a missing piece of roofing. I was not aware of that, obviously.
It took over 3 months to get action from the LL, and only after I said I would call the Council. I am disabled, I have two kids, and we had rats running around in the walls and above our heads and under the floors. The noise kept me awake at night.
The Pest guy said he'd never seen so many in such a small space.
This time we certainly have mice all over the house and in the walls. I can also hear larger animals (rats) in the attic again. I have told the LL and he has said: birds/bats/imagination. The missing roofing piece is still missing. The loo leaks. He is a nice enough chap but very laid back.
The cottage is kept clean. I am using traps. We cannot keep pets here. I still find the worktops full of droppings in the morning and my kids are upset by mice in rooms etc. Having seen a number of dead rats on doorsteps etc after last time they are worried it is rats again.
I have always lived rurally - I am not some townie frightened of a wee house mouse or without the nouse to set a trap but this is ridiculous!

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