‘Rats have taken over my home in Moseley in Birmingham’

A mum-of-seven living in a rat-infested home has reached breaking point – claiming damage caused by rodents has left her struggling financially. Simone Carr rents her property, based in Moseley, Birmingham, through estate agents Robert Aston.

But the 32-year-old claims the property firm and her landlord had ignored her nine-month plea for help until the Local Democracy Reporting Service intervened earlier this month. Pest control experts have since visited the Chestnut Road property to spread rat poison – though the mum said it is yet to take effect.

Simone claims she has forked out hundreds of pounds on cleaning products and replacing items gnawed by the vermin which “have taken over” her home. Environmental Health at Birmingham City Council has launched a probe into the mum’s living conditions.

“I can’t believe we’re being allowed to live like this,” said Simone, whose home is also covered in mould. “Rats have basically taken over; I can’t even go into the kitchen to get a snack or a drink – it stinks of urine. There are rat droppings and also mud – which they bring in from outside – everywhere. I have seven children, including a one-year-old daughter who is still crawling. How does anyone think this is okay for us to live in?”

She added: “I recently bought a new washing machine but the rats chewed through the hose pipe, meaning I now have to put it in a spare bin to get rid of the waste water. They also destroyed my hoover.”

Rats are not the only issue she is dealing with, added the mum who has lived in the property for six years. “For four-and-a-half of those years I’ve had no lighting in the kitchen or dining areas after a leak in the ceiling – which was not fixed at the time and is now falling through. It’s an electrical issue but nothing has been done.”

The mum added that she is refusing to pay rent until the issues are fixed and because of this has been served a Section 8 notice. “I’m not paying my rent at the moment because most of my money is going on cleaning products,” she said.

“The amount of bleach and carpet cleaner I get through on a daily basis is crazy. I told them I would set up a payment plan when I’m no longer living with rats but they served me a Section 8 notice over unpaid rent anyway. It’s so unfair. Who on earth would pay for the way I’m being made to live?”

Robert Aston managing director Matthew Carlton said: “We’re in contact with all parties involved in this matter at present and will be liaising with them and their representatives directly.” A Birmingham City Council spokesperson added: “We’re aware of the resident’s complaint, however as it is subject to an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”