20 December 2023 , 09:04
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The number of complaints about rats in social housing have surged as fears grow over an infestation crisis in England.
Landlords are routinely failing to resolve the complaints, with many blaming the lifestyle of their tenants rather than tackling the root problem, says a leading housing official. According to the Housing Ombudsman for England, there has been a tenfold increase in rat complaints in just four years - a growing issue that needs to be "tackled with urgency", Ombudsman Richard Blakeley said.
Michaela Ali, a 36-year-old nursing assistant paying £500 per month for her Manchester city centre basement flat, says she's not been able to sleep in since February due to the rats scurrying around the cavities in her walls. After complaining, she was visited by pest control officers who made a hole in the ceiling to lay bait, which left her terrified that rat after rat would drop on her head while sleeping.
"I used to wake up sweating at night, thinking they're going to fall on my head," she said. Michaela, who is pregnant with her first child, was finally moved out of her housing association property in March.
However, officials have failed to find her a suitable property to move in to. She has stayed at four different hotels and two short-stay apartments. She even gave birth to her little baby girl while living outside of her home while the housing association tries to sort the infestation.
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"I do my shift and when I come back here, it hits me," she told the BBC through tears. "I don't know if the system is made for people like myself. Have I caused all this? That's how they make you feel. I didn't put the rats there."
According to the Housing Ombudsman for England, there has been a tenfold increase in rat complaints in just four years (Getty Images)She said she's desperate "to be settled and for my baby to have her own bedroom". She added: "I've been living out of bags. It's very unsettling, because we don't know where we will be living - they give me two days before you've got to check out. It's draining."
The Riverside Group, who manage Michaela's property, told the BBC the rat problem has been caused by nearby excavation work. They added that they have apologised to her.
"We remain determined and committed to solve this problem," it said, adding: "Like many areas across the country, social housing is scarce, which is why we have been calling on the government to provide further funding for more affordable homes."