Swindon mother refusing to pay rent to council after rat infestation

The rats invaded the council-owned property on The Street in Liddington, causing the family that live there to fall ill.

WARNING: This article contains graphic images

The mother of two, who wished to remain anonymous, got in touch in with the Adver after being told that no one would be able to visit until the end of December.

She claimed that the issues had started in September, when she moved from Old Town, and things had gotten worse as time went on.

Images show that rats have been caught in traps with rat droppings being left all over the property.

The 32-year-old said: “My children have been ill because of the rats in the house, I’ve asked for an inspection to be done. But the council have said that no one can come out until the end of December.”

Furthermore, the mother said that the house had become unhealthy to live in, and that she and her children were now living in a bedroom in her mum’s house.

Up to 15 rats have been caught every day, she said, adding: “The house is not up to scratch, I’ve had to fill holes out of my own money, it’s horrible.

The property had been signed over to the family in July with the council saying all was in order.

The anonymous resident added that she had tried to sort the issue out with her housing officer but had been constantly ignored numerous times and added that she had caught up to 15 rats every day.

The resident caught several rats in rat traps (Image: Anonymous)

“I’m really p****ed off because the council are not taking this seriously, from my own well-being it’s causing nothing but stress and anger.

“I can’t cook in here, I won’t let the kids go in the kitchen, I’ve found old rat droppings in the loft.

“The council don’t care,” she added.

“This is my new house, I’ve not been able to get carpets done because they haven’t been able to sort the problem out."

She then launched a scathing attack on the borough council accusing them of misleading her.

“I have had no response from my housing officer, I just think they don’t give a s*** about our health.

“I want my money back, for all that I have spent keeping the rats away from my kids.

“My kids are unsettled and I should be living here, I’m still paying rent as well.

“I am petrified living in this house.”

The former Old Town resident said she would refuse to pay any more rent to the council until the issue was sorted.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “The welfare of our tenants is really important to us and we arranged for a pest control company to attend our tenant’s home to carry out a treatment.

"During the visit it became apparent there were some holes in the wall which the pests may have been using to gain entry to the home so our property repairs team will return to fill those in.

"We hope this will resolve the problem.”