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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask the housing association to remove birds from my wall? And if I'm not BU, how can I make them do it?

357 replies

BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:00

There are birds in the outside wall of my bedroom. I first became aware a couple of weeks ago when I heard them scratting around in the early morning and saw them flying back and forwards, also that there is bird poo on the inside of my window.

I phoned the housing association and told them but they knocked me back on four fronts: 1) that they don't believe the birds are in the walls, I need to have footage of them going in and out of the wall (I'm on the third floor, they're quick, I've tried standing outside with my phone and pressing record but they're too quick for me, really I stood there for a long time like a crazy person but it's split second movements when they go in and out)
2) that the marks on the window are just marks. They're not just marks. It's actual bird poo dropping down the window on the inside
3) that there's a pandemic on. Yes I know this but this is an infestation and I am concerned if fleas etc are also dropping down the window
4) the birds are probably in the eaves. Well if they were I wouldn't be concerned, but they're not. They're in the space directly above my window. I have seen them with my own eyes going in and out and so have my neighbours. There is a gap in the wall that they're getting in and out of.

What can I do? I've submitted a complaint after they dismissed my request for maintenance but not heard anything. As far as I know landlords do still have a duty to ensure their properties are not infested, even at this time. I pay my rent every month and haven't asked for a repair before. This is driving me crazy.

OP posts:
Original poster
BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:02

Oh and the ha office is closed right now. They're all working from home which doesn't help. So your woman I spoke to was just sat at home thinking up ways of not authorising repairs, as far as I can tell.

OP posts:
iklboo · 27/04/2020 21:04

Could you try pest control? Mind you they'd probably charge you wouldn't they?

PlanDeRaccordement · 27/04/2020 21:06

Can you ask for a home inspection and then point out the bird issues when they’re in the house?

Or call a pest company and pay for a house check and note that you can then send in as proof of the birds. You can then ask for reimbursement of the call out fee to the pest company.

Is their a neighbour who would also be affected? If more than one of you report, they are more likely to really listen and look into it.

Original poster
BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:08

I've thought about that and honestly don't mind paying but whoever deals with it will have to do some structural work. They are literally in the wall. And the wall leads into the attic so God knows what's going on up there. It will be a big job and I'm worried about being liable as I'm not insured for outside structural work.

OP posts:
Original poster
BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:09

@PlanDeRaccordement they have flat out refused to do anything about it, not even an inspection. I did ask for that.

OP posts:
Knucklehead101 · 27/04/2020 21:10

I dont think birds (except pigeons) are strictly classed as pests.
Fleas down the window.... what do you want the council to do - kill the birds? Bird poo inside the window? I dont even know where to begin. Yes you are BVVVVVU

WeddingNameChange · 27/04/2020 21:11

During a pandemic all the housing associations I work with are only dealing with serious emergency repairs. Floods/fire/structural issues etc.
Unless you want to wait until lock down pp suggestion of pest control is probably your best option.

Original poster
BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:13

@Knucklehead101 it's an infestation and there is faeces inside my bedroom (window). Where would you begin if this was your bedroom?

OP posts:
ShinyMe · 27/04/2020 21:13

It's an offence to disturb an active nest. If they're nesting they're likely to do little harm, you'll have to leave them til the nest is no longer active and then block up the entry. I have blue tits nesting behind my toilet and just found this out, so looks like I'm stuck with them for a couple of months.

AdaStarkadder · 27/04/2020 21:13

They probably have babies in there, once they've fledged they'll be gone - give it a couple of weeks and the problem will be gone anyway!

cunningartificer · 27/04/2020 21:14

I don’t think you’ll find that birds count as pests in the same way that squirrels and rats do. The wildlife and countryside act 1981 means it’s an offence to disturb a bird’s nest. The best they can do is try to prevent it happening next year. So unfortunately you are being unreasonable as legally they can’t get rid of them.

Trumpspeach · 27/04/2020 21:15

I have sparrows that have nested for years in my wall.
They haven't caused any damage that I'm aware of and are on the 'at risk' list of birds I believe. Therefore I feel privileged to have them.
I don't think you can disturb nesting birds so maybe take advice from the RSPB

Megan2018 · 27/04/2020 21:16

You cannot disturb nesting birds. You are being ridiculous, enjoy them. Birds are not an infestation! It’s probably starlings. They won’t do you any harm.

Kokapetl · 27/04/2020 21:17

It's illegal to disturb nesting birds. If you or the housing association did anything, you or they would be liable to quite large fines. This includes birds nesting on or in houses. You are supposed to wait until all birds have left the nest then block up the access. Or do this in autumn or winter when the season is over.

Costacoffeeplease · 27/04/2020 21:17

Illegal to disturb nesting birds op, so you’ll have to leave them until later in the summer

thecatneuterer · 27/04/2020 21:19

I agree with Knucklehead. YABU on many fronts.

Original poster
BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:20

Oh fgs. You can't disturb them unless they're a health and safety risk which shit inside your bloody bedroom is. It's fine to move them on if they're actually shitting into your bedroom.

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 27/04/2020 21:20

They will be nesting and it's illegal to disturb nesting birds. You'll probably have to wait until the birds have fledged and then get someone to have a look.

Haffiana · 27/04/2020 21:21

What can I do?

Seek help? You can call your GP and explain how anxious you are. Maybe they can help put your mind at rest.

PickAChew · 27/04/2020 21:21

Birds nest in many houses. Probably best to wait until the chicks have fledged and then block the entrance, yourself, if it's safe to do so.

GinghamStyle · 27/04/2020 21:21

No advice, but I have a similar problem. They wake me up most mornings. It took me a while to figure out what it was/is, and where they are. I was just Googling last night about how to stop crows coming on the roof because it’s those noisy buggers that wake me up. We also have other smaller birds that seem to come into the ventilation pipes. I’ve decided that for now, I’m going to ignore it, but I want it looked into when lockdown is over.

Original poster
BirdwomanofAlcatraz · 27/04/2020 21:21

And they are shitting into my bedroom because they're going in and out directly above the window in the bit of the wall that juts in and their shit is running down the pane.

OP posts:
Shoppingwithmother · 27/04/2020 21:21

It is illegal to disturb birds in the best season as PP have said.

They would have to wait until later in the summer to block up any holes etc anyway.

PickAChew · 27/04/2020 21:22

Are you saying they are shitting through your bedroom ceiling? You have worse problems with the state of your house than birds nesting, if that is the case.

Megan2018 · 27/04/2020 21:25

@BirdwomanofAlcatraz
You sound very angry about nature OP, get a grip!