Awful smell coming from cupboard/loft

[Fuckeditup1]

I rent my house from the council. I moved in months ago. I accepted the offer before viewing. Other than this one awful issue the house is fine.
there is a large cupboard, it has a door to the loft on the ceiling that I’ve never been in. The cupboard smells really bad. Like a dead animal or something but worse, and I can hardly breathe in it. I’ve tried leaving the door open and airing the house, I thought it would go away with time whatever it was, but it’s still really bad. I think the smell is coming from the loft because it doesn’t make a difference.
I don’t want to go in the loft especially if there’s something actually in there I don’t want to see but is there someone I can ask to investigate it

I'm guessing you have a leak in your attic - rain soaked wood and insulation makes a horrible smell.

I hope that you get it sorted quickly OP. The council should come out if it's bad enough to make you faint!

We had rats at work that have died in the ceiling space. It’s a cloying, meaty, musty smell, something I’ve never smelt before. Absolutely awful. Surely you’ve got a family or friend brave enough to stick their head up with a torch to have a look for you?

Animals big enough to still smell: a rat, a cat, a squirrel.

Think about the relative size of a mouse and a cat, and that is how much longer it would stink for. This article claims 6 months to 15 years, though I think 15 years is if it has mummified.

Did you phone the council OP

If council take too long then pest control can take a look for you, there should be a recommended one on your council website and they do it cheaper if you’re in a low income.

We had a rat die in a wall cavity in our downstairs loo. The smell was foul and we couldn't get at the rat short of knocking down the wall. In the end we closed up the room and taped round the door - it took a couple of months at least for the smell to go.
(nb. there was another loo in the bathroom 😁)

Have you got anyone coming to check?

My housing officer has said she will be “doing a visit” next week with someone else. She did specify the day. And wether I’ll be available.
Can they just let themselves in whenever they want (even with a reason like this) without my permission

No they can't just let themselves in. I doubt they'd have a key anyway.

With notice and a key (which Landlirds are entitled to have)
I do believe your landlord can come in without you being present. This could be classed as an “emergency” If it turns out to be something decomposing?

If you want the odour investigated and cleared up you’re best to go with whatever they suggest.