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

[ScaredOfRat]

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.

Void might mean they've moved you to a other property. Personally, I'd be pushing to be moved. They'll never be able to properly fix everything whilst you're still there.

That letter is great, you need to add 'massive crack in the ceiling' to the list of problems and send to absolutely everyone with photos.

Can you get an appoinent with environmental health? I had a family member do this and they stuck hazard warning tape over the gas oven, which finally prompted the landlord (private in this case) to sort it.

@Internaut we could do that, but we need help now. I am thinking of objecting to Mum’s discharge from hospital as an Unsafe Discharge. I don’t want to put any extra pressure on the NHS because they’ve been lovely, but equally it’s not safe for Mum here.

@LeavesOnTrees oh wow! Maybe Environmental Heath is the way to go.

Not the point but the council employee should have photo id otherwise vulnerable tenants could be dealing with anyone.
Also once identified you could have continuity in dealing with the same person.
I really hope you get a resolution as it must seem like banging your head against a brick wall phoning and emailing all these different departments.
It's obvious to anyone that house your in isn't fit for Human habitation.

This might be helpful
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/council_housing_association/complaints_about_councils

There should be a housing ombudsman.
It might be worth phoning Shelter for advice.

@Brendahollowayreconsider that’s a really good point about the ID. I will raise that with the Council.

Citizens advice page :

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/getting-your-landlord-to-do-repairs/renting-from-the-council-or-a-housing-association/

Thanks @LeavesOnTrees . I will tag them in my X/Twitter post and hopefully they’ll see it.

I was going to suggest this if you are anywhere near me I have friends who are senior in the local council and would shove a rocket up their arses to get you somewhere rat free.

So reading à bit, it seems you need to make a formal complaint in writing (the chat gpt letter posted by a PP seems good) that's stage 1. If nothing happens then you make a stage 2 written formal complaint.
If nothing happens then you make an offical complaint to the housing ombudsman.
After that it's taking them to court (if you can get legal aid).

Oh OP. This looks and sounds incredibly grim. We had a rat in out utility room, it's a self-contained room so we knew it couldn't get into the actual house (luckily). We used a trap and after about a week it was dead, my only suggestion is you do the same. We found where it came in (a bodged extension which ran pipes into an external drain without actually covering it and sealed the entrance. I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to live like this.

@reversegear it’s Tower Hamlets.

Also OP if you are still awake do you have a bin or laundry basket you can empty with smooth sides? To pop in another room??

you could make a home made trap.

What you’ll need, bin or laundry basket, bait inside (meat, chocolate, nuts) add a pile of books or a low chair as a climb-up path

1. Place strong-smelling food at the bottom.
2. Position a climbable surface next to it so the rat can jump in.
3. Once inside, it’s unlikely the rat can escape if the walls are smooth.

Place it somewhere quiet and dark and away from you and your mum. Also pop towels across the door of the Roman you are in.

Thanks @reversegear but there are so many holes in the walls, floors and under the front door, that rats can get in anywhere.

Book a pest control. Yeah council should do it but they won’t for ages, so take action. It’s about £100, they usually come out twice for that. And fix up all the holes etc around the house.
Yes it would be nice if the council did this but if they won’t be quick enough so it’s up to you

@MeganM3 I just don’t have the money for pest control or building work.

Omg this is actually my fear. Being trapped in a space with a rat!

Leave the house now - sleep in your car if you need to. Don't take any bags etc - as it could have got into them and then you find yourself trapped in with it in the car! Put up for sake first thing in the morning.

@ThisChirpyFox I don’t have a car, but trust me if I did, I’d be sleeping in it!

Apologies OP. I typed this after reading your first post. Honestly, they are my biggest fear.

But reading your other posts have shed light on your situation and I apologise. I can't give any real advice but there's lots of great advice being given on here by other posters and I truly hope not only the rat but your housing situation is sorted and soon!

For newer posters the op put up pics of the state of her house it's shocking the council are so lax about op predicament it goes way beyond the rodent.
I'm not sure the page number the pics are on but op living conditions are horrendous.
Op has explained she can't afford building work etc she shouldn't have to it's a council property.

Oh man - was trying to avoid naming them earlier, but my friend I mentioned earlier is also in Tower Hamlets! Specifically East End Homes though, so housing association. You're not living on the leaky estate starting with E, by any chance?

The helpful Green Party person I mentioned is Zoë Garbett, member of the London Assembly.

P.s. 'mayor' Lutfur Rahman is the dodgiest of dodgy politicians. Can't believe they re-elected him after previously being banned from holding office.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LutfurRahman(Britishpolitician) for the non locals

I'm not at all surprised nothing is happening when you contact local politicians.

The link wouldn't open,I'm not from London but I take it this adds more misery for op having a useless council area.

I’ve sent you a direct message OP. You poor thing 😔

Were any of the emails you've sent submitted as a formal complaint? If not, I'd try: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/council_and_democracy/Complaints/Formal-complaints.aspx