Mice in rental property 4 months into tenancy

Mice in rental property 4 months into tenancy

12:40 PM, 14th February 2014, About 11 years ago 25

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I would like some clarification as to who is responsible for dealing with mice in the property please.

The tenant has been in since September and in late January, she discovered mice droppings in her wardrobe. Mice have chewed through the bottom of her wardrobe and gained access. She said that she had chocolate and other foods in her room. Mice in rental property 4 months into tenancy

We contacted pest control agents who came to sort it out the next day. However, it involved two visits, two weeks apart and she refused to move back into her room until it was definitely clear. During this time, another tenant offered her his room!!

Her Dad then called to complain to us that we have not done enough and it is the landlord’s responsibility etc… We called the pest control within 1 hour of us being informed,by phone (unfortunately her email to me went to spam and I did not know for 2 days). There was also few days’ delay in getting access in between visits as they were usually out during the day.

I would be grateful for some clarification as to who exactly should be responsible in this situation please.

Many thanks

Alice


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Jeremy Smith

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1:27 AM, 16th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "16/02/2014 - 01:04":

No! Haha... I know you weren't suggesting that!!
We explained to her so many times
- she would then put cardboard and paper in 'plastic bags' to put in the 'cardboard and paper' only bin !!!

Years later, when I was doing some re-wiring under the floor, I was expecting to see chewed through cables - I was amazed, there were NONE !!
- I guess she had looked after and fed them so well, they didn't need to chew the cables !
- There must be a lesson in there somewhere.

Joe Bloggs

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10:00 AM, 16th February 2014, About 11 years ago

IM RENEWING A CHEWED CABLE THIS COMING WEEK. FORTUNATELY TENANTS (FAIRLY CLEAN) GOT CAT NOW, BUT WHOLE AREA INFESTED. NEED SOME FERRAL CATS.

Jeremy Smith

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11:35 AM, 16th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "16/02/2014 - 10:00":

You, or the person with the chewed cable, has obviously been neglecting their furry little friends by not feeding them properly !! - Disgraceful !! 🙂

I had chewed cables in another building, it's amazing how they chewed through the outer, and the neutral insulation, and nibbled all the way along the live, but not actually touching the copper wire, and without getting electrocuted.

Bringing some relevance here:
Alice,
If you get any electrical tripping in the future, bear in mind the "lodgers" you had at this time, I mean these furry lodgers !!

r01

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13:03 PM, 16th February 2014, About 11 years ago

My earlier post seemed to fail, so here's a second attempt...

The poor little furry blighters have probably just come in to escape the floods and don't we all like a bit of warm chocolate on a cold, damp night before bed?? It certainly helps me sleep !!. If the place was pest free before you let it out, it's the tenants responsibility unless you have holes in the wall you have failed to fill in or have done or allowed to be done something that has attracted the mice.

You have already had plenty of advise from the other 118 members so tongue in cheek ..... and assuming your agreement says they cannot have pets without landlords written permission you could try writing to them:-

"...... Clause xx of your tenancy agreement clearly states you must not introduce animals to the property without the landlords written permission. It has come to my attention you have introduced mice to the property and they are breeding profusely due to feeding them chocolate. I now require you to rectify the situation by removing these from the property forthwith and will hold you responsible for all damage caused (such as chewed wires etc) until such time as you comply".

Then, if you are happy to allow pets you could add "...In future please ensure you request written permission (not to be unreasonably withheld), before introducing any animal, such as a cat which is possibly the best unpaid pest controller currently known to man for the eradication of mice"

Of course I jest, but isn't the whole thing ridiculous ?? As a landlord, I'm well used to the old "It's your fault, no it's not it's yours, no it's yours, no it's definitely yours.... etc., etc.

R

Jeremy Smith

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14:00 PM, 16th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "r01 " at "16/02/2014 - 13:03":

ROFL !!

I love that !
I know some will view it as unprofessional, but you could send a letter like that to lighten up the relationship, then sort the problem out between you, in a friendly matter, as you say r01, it's no good blaming each other....just find a good solution to the problem.

If it was my house, I would be doing all I could to help the tenant get rid of them.
I can see, Alice, it looks like you are doing all you can, but slow communication has been hampstering your efforts ! 🙂

...Good Luck !

Industry Observer

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19:16 PM, 16th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Final sensible comment

Clear tenant liability Warren v Keen 1954 an incidence of occupancy

Joe Bloggs

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1:07 AM, 17th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Industry Observer " at "16/02/2014 - 19:16":

'Final sensible comment'?
surely warren v keen is not relevant at all as its a case about disrepair, whereas pest infestation in itself is not disrepair.

ian

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14:56 PM, 17th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Believe it or not a mouse can squeeze through holes as small as a pencil ie air bricks missing cement under door tread ect. unless you fill all holes & put fine mesh over air bricks then they will keep coming back.

Joe Bloggs

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18:32 PM, 17th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "ian " at "17/02/2014 - 14:56":

agreed...thats why i said:
'its virtually impossible to mouse proof, especially older buildings'

ian

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19:10 PM, 17th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "17/02/2014 - 18:32":

Hi Joe
The house I live in was built in the 1890s I undertook what I said above years ago had no problem with mice since, its far from impossible few hours work if that in my case.

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