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Original poster

Pest control/environmental/ council/ housing association/legal advice required

5 replies

Theresaratinmykitchen1 · 23/01/2026 21:11

Hi,
I’m hoping someone can advise on what I can do regarding this situation.
I currently have a vermin issue. There are vermin getting into my loft, possibly walls. I have only just started hearing noises a couple of months ago. I believe it’s either mice or even rats (they are no where else in the house).
I’ve contacted the housing association for help. My contract states pest control is my responsibility.
I have no problem in getting pest control out at my cost, (I’m a long term tenant so didn’t even realise this) but they are asking me to obtain/pay for a report from pest control which is an additional charge to investigate access points.
They are also refusing to help until this report is done/provided.
As they are accessing the loft I believe the only access points are through drains, the other possibility is via the neighbours untidy garden inc ivy that they may be climbing up.
My neighbours the other side (not untidy garden) had pest control at their property last week. I haven’t spoken to them but presumably for the same problem.
My question is what is the housing is obliged to do. If my neighbours have had pest control out surely they have a report (I haven’t had a chance to discuss just yet).
I reported this early December & they have only just got back to me.

When (not if) this is proven not my fault do I have any grounds for claiming from the housing association. I’m also concerned about how long they will take to respond even following the report. Are there any timelines that they are legally required to adhere to or do I just keep paying for pest control?
Thank you for any advice you can offer!

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 23/01/2026 22:43

The Housing Ombudsman is clear that regardless of what it might say in your tenancy agreement, a landlord should undertake timely inspection if a report of pests is made. Whilst they can recharge for the inspection and require the tenant to carry out pest control at their own cost if the infestation is concluded not to be due to structural problems or disrepair and to be the tenant’s fault (because of improper disposal of rubbish or storage of food, or poor hygiene), they shouldn’t automatically assume the tenant is at fault. They should arrange inspection as a priority job under their repair response times (see your HA’s repair policy) and then report back to you with their conclusions and action which will be taken or which you must take. If they refuse to come and inspect, you need to make a formal complaint and can link to the guidance: https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/centre-for-learning/key-topics/pests/pest-guidance/

Have you seen any evidence of rodents beyond hearing noises? Have you inspected the loft and emptied out kitchen cabinets / built in storage for signs of droppings, nests, holes, chewing etc? The Housing Ombudsman is also clear with its guidance that landlords must “join the dots” between multiple reports of pests in neighbouring properties - though if you are reporting rodents and your neighbour has reported e.g. wasps, that won’t trigger a link. It would help if you can establish whether your neighbour has reported the same issue as you have, to include in your report or complaint.

Pest guidance | Housing Ombudsman

This expectations document sets out what landlords and residents should be expected to do when there is an infestation.

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/centre-for-learning/key-topics/pests/pest-guidance/

B0D · 23/01/2026 23:33

Could it be squirrels getting in via next doors garden into your loft ? Whichever way they can’t blame it on you if they haven’t inspected I would think.

I had mice and the council come to look where they are getting in. They can then see my house is clean and I am not the cause. I’ve been told that mice move on / expand their range once there are so many they have exhausted the food supply.

Original poster
Theresaratinmykitchen1 · 23/01/2026 23:47

ComtesseDeSpair · 23/01/2026 22:43

The Housing Ombudsman is clear that regardless of what it might say in your tenancy agreement, a landlord should undertake timely inspection if a report of pests is made. Whilst they can recharge for the inspection and require the tenant to carry out pest control at their own cost if the infestation is concluded not to be due to structural problems or disrepair and to be the tenant’s fault (because of improper disposal of rubbish or storage of food, or poor hygiene), they shouldn’t automatically assume the tenant is at fault. They should arrange inspection as a priority job under their repair response times (see your HA’s repair policy) and then report back to you with their conclusions and action which will be taken or which you must take. If they refuse to come and inspect, you need to make a formal complaint and can link to the guidance: https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/centre-for-learning/key-topics/pests/pest-guidance/

Have you seen any evidence of rodents beyond hearing noises? Have you inspected the loft and emptied out kitchen cabinets / built in storage for signs of droppings, nests, holes, chewing etc? The Housing Ombudsman is also clear with its guidance that landlords must “join the dots” between multiple reports of pests in neighbouring properties - though if you are reporting rodents and your neighbour has reported e.g. wasps, that won’t trigger a link. It would help if you can establish whether your neighbour has reported the same issue as you have, to include in your report or complaint.

Edited

Thank you so much. I did think this had to be regulated. I will look on the housing ombudsman website.There are no signs of the rodents being in the property but after packing the Christmas decs I noticed droppings in the loft, even after following my complaint about the noises.
The noise is even to the extent it’s keeping me awake as it’s just above my bedroom.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theresaratinmykitchen1 · 23/01/2026 23:59

B0D · 23/01/2026 23:33

Could it be squirrels getting in via next doors garden into your loft ? Whichever way they can’t blame it on you if they haven’t inspected I would think.

I had mice and the council come to look where they are getting in. They can then see my house is clean and I am not the cause. I’ve been told that mice move on / expand their range once there are so many they have exhausted the food supply.

Thank you for your reply.
I don’t think it’s squirrels as it’s a nawing noise that I hear.
Thats the bit I don’t get, is how they won’t inspect or do anything

OP posts:
Friendlygingercat · 24/01/2026 00:25

You could contact the council directly and see if they can force the HA to act. Try environmental health. Speak to your (non messy) neighbour first about her experiences with the pest controller.

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