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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Rodents in our rented home

5 replies

itspronouncedscon · 12/01/2019 20:11

A month ago I heard scuffling and banging in the attic of our rented home. I couldn’t go up there as our lease says that the attic is not included in the rental and as a result, it’s padlocked. Thinking I might have imagined it, I put it to the back of my mind. When it happened again, my husband phoned the letting agent to advise them of the noise, explaining that we thought it could be nice etc.

They called the pest control people out and, after a month, we’re in s position where we know that it was in fact mice but that the chap from the rodent company didn’t know how they had got in. I asked if we were doing anything ‘wrong’ and he reassured us that no, we’re clearly being clean, tidy etc. He then added that the attic was fully boarded out (thus was a surprise to us as the landlord said it wasn’t, hence not giving us access) and that he could see ‘evidence of a previous infestation and treatment.

The letting agent has said this is our responsibility but I disagree. My husband just wants to pay the bill for an easy life but I’m not happy about it. If we hadn’t said anything and just left them up there, it could have damaged the property so I thought we were doing the responsible thing- letting them know.

AIBU to expect the landlord to pay?

OP posts:
greenelephantscarf · 12/01/2019 20:13

normally rodents/pests are for the tennants to deal with. but as they are in a part of thehouse not accessible to you it's the ll's issue.

Grilledaubergines · 12/01/2019 20:15

Landlords issue since the infestation isn’t in a premise rented by you.

itspronouncedscon · 12/01/2019 20:20

I could see that it’s a bit of a ‘grey area’ when there isn’t an identifiable cause but agree that as it’s not even in a place we can use, we shouldn’t pay.

The pest control chap left bait in other parts of the house but the only stuff taken was in the attic. I’m also a bit miffed as I suspect they’ve not given us attic access as they know it’s been an issue. Argh!!!

OP posts:
Purpleartichoke · 12/01/2019 20:26

This is your landlords issue to fix. You should not pay and you need to be insistent that the attic is checked periodically in the future. An infestation in the attic will eventually work its way into the living space of your home and you won’t have a real shot at fighting it because you can’t address the source.

itspronouncedscon · 12/01/2019 20:39

Thanks for your replies everyone. I’m going to email the letting agent to let him know that we have received the bill and will forward it to them

OP posts:
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