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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be scared to sleep because there’s a rat in my house?

154 replies

ScaredOfRat · 26/07/2025 21:36

Watching the news this evening and a massive rat ran into the living room. I chased him out but not sure where he is now. I’m scared to sleep.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Growuppeople · 26/07/2025 23:48

Don’t stop paying rent it will only make it worse for yourself, you may be able to claim something back eventually but do not stop paying! It really will not help. Get environmental health round and keep complaining, make sure you have evidence. Just please do not ever stop paying rent it really will make it worse for yourself

Growuppeople · 26/07/2025 23:53

twilightermummy · 26/07/2025 23:40

I'd stop paying rent. They'd have to take you to court to evict you. Explaining to a judge that they've left you living in those conditions might be quite awkward for them. It would hold even more gravitas if you could show that you used rent money for repairs. In the unlikely case that you were evicted, the council would ultimately have to re-home you because of your mum. They'd also have to sort out that hell hole before releasing it to a new tenant.
It's absolutely disgusting. I'm sorry that you're in this situation, it's honestly made my skin crawl reading it.
I do think enough is enough now though. The rat should be the final straw.
Sometimes I honestly can't believe that we're supposed to be a developed nation.

And please Do not listen to this! The moment you stop paying rent you are intentionally homeless, no matter what the circumstances are.

Givenupshopping · 26/07/2025 23:53

OMG! I am SO sorry for all you're going through OP, it's disgusting, and a disgrace that none of these people are helping you! Have you tried posting pictures on FaceBook, to expose the state of the place your Council are expecting a disabled person to live in?

There is NO WAY that I could stay in your home after seeing that rat! I am absolutely TERRIFIED of them, and once told the Council Rat Catcher that there was no way I could go home until they'd caught the rat I'd seen in my garden that morning. My DH was working away, so I was on my own. The guy actually took pity on me, and came out the same day, in spite of telling me when I first spoke to him that he couldn't get out to me for a few days.

Isittimeformynapyet · 26/07/2025 23:57

TheGentleButFirmMadonna · 26/07/2025 22:28

Listen, start one by one. First the rat traps, spray pepermint sprays or oil around, second start fixing bit by bit what you can. Buy dehumidifier, call a DIY guy to put sockets back, diy paint over the walls, you can do this.

Show quote history

She shouldn't have to!

Confusdworriedmum · 27/07/2025 00:07

I think it's free if it's a council house. We had one in our loft. Pest control came out 3 times before they got rid of it.
I was terrified the whole time, I'm so scared of rats.
The council will come out, they have to, but you have to really push and say I need you to do this now otherwise they will fob you off. It was free for us but obviously different councils have different rules
Other option is call pest control and pay them which might be quicker but obviously depends on finances.
I hope you manage to get some sleep I feel so sorry for you.

Bumcake · 27/07/2025 00:07

What have the council actually said? Awaab’s Law comes into force this autumn and there will be hell to pay for any landlord leaving people living in these conditions.

Devonshiregal · 27/07/2025 00:17

Use wire wool to plug holes like the stuff you use for scrubbing pans. Just stuff it everywhere. And go to the daily Mail - your mum is bed bound, your home is not fit for living in and you have rats.

RosesAndHellebores · 27/07/2025 00:27

@ScaredOfRat may I ask how long you and your mother have been living in the property please?

SuperFi · 27/07/2025 00:46

So sorry my love, we had a rat infestation in the walls, and that was bad enough,

I used some rat deterrent noises from You Tube ( they are loads) in the immediate term to get to sleep, but they are not a lasting solution. If you don’t know where the rat is you need a Jack Russell or similar terrier type dog, some pest controllers use them .

Anyone can set up as a pest controller and a lot are shit. Try finding one registered with https://bpca.org.uk or https://www.npta.org.uk .

But really the issue of your living conditions needs to be addressed, or the rats will keep coming, I am staggered that your property has not been repaired. If you are being ignored by the authorities I would continue with the media route to shame them into action. Maybe also try social media, local news.

Our rat issue was due to a collapsed sewer pipe so might be worth given your water company a shout.

They are more scared of us than we are of them, but it isint much comfort I know.

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA)

The professional association for UK public health pest management representing, supporting & assuring 700+ member companies & the pest control industry.

https://bpca.org.uk

Blueberrymuffinsforthewin · 27/07/2025 00:57

I had a relative living in similar conditions - environmental health were the people who declared it not safe to live in and finally after years got the council to sort it so I'd be calling them.

Agapornis · 27/07/2025 01:26

ScaredOfRat · 26/07/2025 23:05

Everyone:
Housing Officer
Repairs Team
CEO of Council
MP
London Assembly Member
Head of London Assembly
and all relevant Members of Parliament.

Sorry to repeat this, but you definitely need Environmental Health and the Housing Ombudsman.

JMSA · 27/07/2025 06:44

OP, you sound a bit defeated (which I can understand), but you really need to be proactive here. You have been given loads of good advice on this thread, so I hope it all works out for you 💐

Gettingbysomehow · 27/07/2025 07:41

ScaredOfRat · 26/07/2025 22:22

I’m really struggling with all of this: the rat, Mum being ill, the mould and broken floorboards, the holes in the walls where the power sockets have fallen out… we shouldn’t have to live like this.

The power sockets have fallen out?? Thsts shocking. You can't live there. Call citizens advice first thing on Monday.

Original poster
ScaredOfRat · 27/07/2025 08:25

I had not heard of Awaab’s Law. Thank you.

OP posts:
JMSA · 27/07/2025 09:52

rwalker · 26/07/2025 21:46

Any neighbours got a cat you can bring in for an hour

Most cats would hate this. They wouldn’t land in a strange house and immediately start ratting! They’d be too stressed.

Tia247 · 27/07/2025 09:58

You need to get environmental health round OP, I can't believe the council have left you and your poor mum living like that.

Unescorted · 27/07/2025 10:06

Our house backs onto a field and we get rats. To keep them out of the house block up where they are coming in. Put down snap traps near where they have come in (there is a reason cut throughs are called rat runs ). Use the big rat ones because the smaller ones just results in an injured screaming rat.... Not kind or pleasant. We don't bait the traps.

Depending on your point of view/ pets or children liberally scatter eat poison pouches - gel ones have worked better for us.

Spray peppermint oil around the house at skirting board level because they hate it (and most strong smells) apparently.

It will take a while for them to stop avoiding the traps / poison because they are weary of new things.

They generally avoid us if they can hear us so be noisy if you don't want to see them before the traps / poison get them.

taxidriver · 27/07/2025 10:08

check the kitchen access points
the rat will be scared of you

Tantomile · 27/07/2025 10:11

The pictures you uploaded are shocking.
You need environmental health
Also social care to carry out an assessment for your Mum.
Really not sure about GB news - did you reach out to them about your living conditions? - if so I am sure you can take on environmental health and push things forward.

Longtalljosie · 27/07/2025 10:16

Wreckinball · 26/07/2025 23:47

Speak to the news team, they won’t interview your mum if you explain how poorly she is but that doesn’t prevent you from speaking to them, the LA will be on it quicker than your rats can get up drainpipes once the media lights are on them

I agree - I am angry that GB News is even allowed (it runs a coach and horses through our broadcasting laws and only gets away with it because it claims not to be a news channel) but media attention is the quickest way to get something to change. Who actually owns your housing? It’s council accommodation, I understand that, but is it a housing association?

TheLongestPlaylist · 27/07/2025 10:18

Isn’t pest control free for council tenants when it’s rats? There are some things you have to pay for but it’s free for when it’s for rats.

Original poster
ScaredOfRat · 27/07/2025 10:20

GB News contacted me after I posted on X/Twitter.
The house is owned by the local council.

OP posts:
anyzee · 27/07/2025 10:21

I am adding my voice to say that I cannot believe people are expected to live in these conditions in property provided by the Government (council). I shouldn't be, but I am so shocked.

Get on to the media pronto, it's the only way now, since you have exhausted all other normal channels with no result.

I am sitting here with my mouth open. Poor you and your poor mother. So bloody awful. I am so sorry.

Livelovebehappy · 27/07/2025 10:25

My absolute worse nightmare! I couldn't have stayed in the house, but appreciate it's difficult with your mum...

Original poster
ScaredOfRat · 27/07/2025 10:39

I am going to buy some peppermint oil today.

OP posts: