Pest infestation claims typically arise when a property becomes infested with pests such as rats, mice, bedbugs and cockroaches. Different pests carry different dangers, which may include both physical damage to the property and potential harm to the health of the occupants.
Your landlord is required to ensure that your home is fit for human habitation and in proper working order, it is your landlord’s responsibility to ensure a reasonable living standard is met.
There are legal procedures you must follow and we will advise you on what your next steps should be.
Based on 103 reviews
We are National Solicitors specialising in pest infestation, we will assist you with legally claiming for the nuisance. Contact us now before the situation worsens.
We explain the claim process below, including the legal steps we’ll take—such as serving the required 21 day warning notice and applying to court—to help you bring a case against your landlord in line with the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
We will determine whether you meet the specific criteria required to make a claim under the Environmental Protection Act, this involves evaluating if the issues you are experiencing fall within the scope of your landlord’s responsibilities.
We will serve the required 21 day warning notice, the notice informs your landlord that they have 21 days to take action and resolve the matter, or they will face legal action.
If the landlord has failed to resolve the infestation, we instruct an environmental surveyor to carry out an assessment of the infestation. This includes identifying the source and extent of the infestation and determining if the landlord’s failure to maintain the property has contributed to the issue.
Should the landlord not resolve the matter within 21 days, we will draft and file the claim at the Magistrate’s Court. We will prepare the legal documents and submit those to the court.
Upon filing the claim, our solicitors will represent you in court. We will present your case to the court and handle all formal court procedures to support your claim from start to finish.
The pests will be abated from the property using appropriate control measures. The underlying cause of the infestation will be addressed by sealing entry points, repairing any structural defects, and removing waste. Ongoing prevention will be supported through follow-up measures, including regular inspections and monitoring.
By law, your landlord is responsible for maintaining and repairing your home to ensure it is safe, habitable, and free from infestations.
You may be entitled to make a claim if pests or vermin are entering your property due to poor maintenance or disrepair. If the infestation is linked to your landlord’s failure to act, they are legally required to treat it as a health hazard and take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
Some landlords fail to meet their legal responsibilities or deny liability altogether. If your landlord refuses to carry out the necessary repairs and you’ve been significantly affected as a result, our team can help you pursue a claim.
For more information about our services, or to find out exactly where you stand and the range of options available call us today on freephone
0333 090 6001
While landlords have legal duties, tenants also have responsibilities, if pests have entered your home due to your actions, the responsibility of dealing with the issue may fall to you.
Tenants are expected to keep their homes clean and hygienic, failing to dispose of food waste properly or maintaining an unclean environment can attract pests and may be considered a breach of tenancy, tenants may be partly liable if their behaviour contributes to a pest infestation.
It is your duty to report signs of infestation to your landlord promptly, delayed reporting can worsen the problem and affect your ability to hold the landlord accountable. Maintaining a clean home and communication with your landlord helps prevent issues and protects your rights.
We are National Solicitors specialising in pest infestation, we will assist you with legally claiming for the nuisance. Contact us now before the situation worsens.
A pest infestation occurs when insects, rodents or other creatures invade a space and cause damage, spread disease or become a nuisance. Common signs of an infestation include droppings around the home, chewed wires or walls and evidence of nesting areas. If you notice any of these signs and an infestation is confirmed, your landlord is legally obligated to take appropriate action to address the problem.
Different pests carry different dangers. The dangers they represent include damage to the property and damage to your health. Rodents like rats and mice carry diseases, leave droppings, and contaminate food areas, they can also cause structural damage by chewing through wires and walls. Flies and insects also seek out food and bring in germs. Certain insects, such as the masonry wasp or termite, can eat away at the structure of your house. The UK Government warns that pests can transmit serious illnesses, including Zika virus, Lyme disease, rabies, plague, typhus, and rat-bite fever.
A tenant is eligible to make a claim for a pest infestation if they have reported the issue to their landlord and the problem persists due to the landlord’s failure to take appropriate action. Once the landlord is aware of the issue, they are legally responsible for providing a solution. If they fail to act, you have the right to pursue a legal case.
Dealing with pest infestations can be challenging, especially when landlords fail to meet their legal obligations. Under the Pest Control Act 1990, landlords are required to ensure that residential properties remain safe and free from infestations. If your landlord fails to act after being notified of a pest problem, you may be entitled to bring a case against them. Our solicitors specialise in holding landlords accountable and ensuring that legal duties are met to maintain a clean, pest-free living environment.
It is important to note that under no circumstances can a landlord legally evict a tenant for making a pest infestation claim. Such eviction would be considered illegal and render the landlord liable to pay compensation. Please be advised that our services are available to private, council and housing association tenants.
You can claim compensation if you’re also claiming for housing disrepair, the compensation that you could be entitled to depends on how severe the pest infestation is and how long the infestation in the property has persisted. Our solicitors can let you know how much compensation you could receive due to landlord negligence, get in touch with us to find out more.
Yes, it is possible to claim compensation for a rat infestation if you are claiming for housing disrepair at the same time, particularly if your landlord has failed to address the issues after being informed. You could be entitled to compensation if the infestation has damaged your belongings, affected your health, or disrupted your daily life.
If the infestation stems from poor maintenance or disrepair in the property, your landlord is legally responsible for dealing with it, even if they try to place the blame on you. We will support you in gathering evidence to show that the issue isn’t your fault and help you assert your rights.
The first step is to determine the extent of the problem and identify the likely cause of the infestation. We will visit your property to carry out a thorough assessment of the situation. If the infestation has resulted from issues such as failing to dispose of rubbish or leaving food waste exposed, you will be responsible for addressing and removing the pests.
Claimable nuisances include a range of pest infestations, involving both insects and animals. Common examples are rodents, insects and bird related pests. These pests can pose health risks and may require professional treatment, especially when they appear in or around living areas.