RATTED OUT
My council flat is being eaten away by RATS who’ve left my home riddled in droppings – I can hear them while watching TV
Scroll down for what your rights are living in a council flat and how to complain
A MAN whose flat has been plagued with rats has revealed he can hear them while he's watching TV as the pests continue to run riot.
Gareth Cotterell, 51, claims he's spent years battling rats in his Cardiff flat as they repeatedly bite through walls and his possessions.
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Pest control officers have warned him that he will need a new kitchen due to the damage done by the rodents.
Despite Gareth doing his best to keep his flat clean, the pests always find a way inside, leaving urine and faeces all over his worktops.
He said that he rarely goes into the kitchen and is forced to keep the door closed at all times, fearing they will infiltrate the rest of the flat.
Gareth, who struggles with spinal injuries, can even hear them rustling in the walls while he is watching television.
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The Cardiff resident claims he's always dealt with rat problems; however, it has gotten significantly worse in recent months
It’s so degrading
Gareth Cotterell
Gareth, who has lived in his Tremorfa council flat for the past six years, said he's had "pest control in every single week," but that hasn't stopped the rodents from eating their way through everything.
He even made his own makeshift boards, which the rats easily chewed through.
Cardiff Council hasn't done enough to help, according to Gareth.
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He feels as if he's been "left to it" while his kitchen has become completely unusable.
He told : "The council pass you from one department to another."
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Gareth only enters his kitchen to make cups of tea and eats meals elsewhere at his friends and family's homes.
He believes his flat struggles more with rats than others because his property is closest to the drains.
The constant worry of pests destroying Gareth's flat has been a "nightmare", he said.
The 51-year-old had to get one of his friends to help him clean the cupboards because it stank of rat urine.
He added: "It's so degrading."
Although Gareth was told he would need a new kitchen he feels unsupported in his property.
The council did visit his flat after a rat chewed a hole through his kitchen wall.
Yet, Gareth claimed they filled it with silicone which the pests later ate, as well.
A council spokesperson said: "An inspection of the kitchen by the Council’s repairs team took place yesterday (Thursday) and work to replace two base units will take place next week.
"Any holes in the walls that were allowing pests to access will also be repaired.
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"Pest Control teams have carried out treatment for rats at the property which is ongoing.
"A further visit is scheduled for today (Friday 17th May)."
How to complain when you live in a council flat
- Right to repair
Social housing landlords must fix a repair within a set timescale.
This does vary from landlord to landlord, but most repairs fall into the following categories:
- Emergency - to been seen within a few hours.
- Urgent - a maximum of three to five days
- Routine - this can be a bit longer and usually varies between landlords
For example, a minor leak would be expected to be seen within three days, while major leak within a few hours.
It's up to landlords to be clear with residents about these timescales, so they can be held accountable if they aren't met.
- Neighbour problems
Problems with neighbours or anti-social behaviour can be some of the most difficult to deal with.
Many social housing residents may not know that these issues should be tackled by their landlord.
Landlords then have the power to bring in third parties such as the police to help.
- Charges
Charges are the services that residents get under a leasehold contract.
This can include a variety of things such as cleaning of communal spaces, replacing broken lights, as well as maintenance of lifts and key fob door access.
- Heat networks
Landlords must work with energy providers to ensure that there is a reliable heating and hot water supply for residents.
Richard said the Housing Ombudsmen can investigate cases where this isn't happening.
The Ombudsman said it has seen a significant increase in heating and hot water cases, with 1,600 complaints received in 2021/22 and 1,491 received up to February this year.
- Estate management
Estate management includes things such as as cleaning and repairs of communal areas, boundary issues, grounds maintenance, parking, and the general use of communal areas.
If you don't feel like your living environment is particularly well kept, you should first consult your tenancy agreement or lease to find out who is responsible for the issue.
If it's the landlord’s responsibility, you should contact them to report the issue.
The tenancy should also set out a timescale for you to hear back.
You should keep a record of any communication, written or on the phone, that you have with your landlord.
If you don't hear back, you can then make a formal complaint or contact the Housing Ombudsman.
- How to complain to the Housing Ombudsman
Before lodging a complaint with the Housing Ombudsman, you must first let your landlord know that something is wrong.
If you are unhappy with the way your landlord responds to the issue you should make a formal complaint.
Your landlord should respond to a formal complaint in writing.
If you don't get a response to the formal complaint, you can send the ombudsman a copy of the letter, who then have the power to order a response from the landlord.
If you are unhappy after completing all stages of the landlord’s formal complaint procedure, you can refer your complaint to the ombudsman.
Once the complaint has been received, it will be reviewed and assessed.
But if you want to the complaint to be investigated, you must send it within 12 months of the landlord's final response.
Once the issue has been investigated, the ombudsman will issue its findings - known as a determination.
This process varies on a case-by-case basis.
Any compensation is outlined in the determination, but this will vary depending on the circumstances of each case.
Meanwhile, if you're a private renter, here are seven rules your landlord MUST follow.
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