Rat, mouse and pest infestation claims

Pests get in through holes, gaps and disrepair. Where the way into your home is your landlord's responsibility to fix, an infestation can form part of a disrepair claim.

An infestation on its own is not automatically a landlord's responsibility. What matters is how the pests are getting in. Gaps around pipework, holes in brickwork, broken airbricks, damaged drains and rotten floorboards are all disrepair, and if they have been reported and left, the infestation that follows may be part of a claim.

Common entry points

• Holes in external walls, brickwork or rendering
• Gaps around waste pipes and service entries
• Broken or missing airbricks and vents
• Damaged or collapsed drains
• Rotten floorboards, skirtings and door frames
• Defective roofing and loft access points

Living with an infestation

Rodents contaminate food and surfaces, gnaw wiring, and leave droppings and a persistent smell. Many tenants describe not being able to use rooms, throwing away food and furniture, and not sleeping. All of that is relevant, so write it down as it happens.

What to do now

• Report it to your landlord in writing and ask for pest control and for the entry points to be repaired.
• Photograph droppings, damage and any holes or gaps you can find.
• Keep a diary of sightings, with dates.
• Keep receipts for anything you have had to throw away or replace.
• Contact your council's environmental health team, which can inspect and act.

Tell us what is wrong with your home

We will explain your options honestly, including the ones that do not involve us. Making an enquiry costs nothing and commits you to nothing.