Severe Pest Infestation and Lack of Heating in Two-Bedroom Maisonette

Ms. A is a working-age tenant and mother of two young children (aged one and four). She moved into a two-bedroom maisonette in July 2020 under a permanent tenancy with a housing association landlord. Despite paying rent on time and reporting issues promptly, she endured prolonged disrepair, including four years without functioning heating in the living room. Matters escalated when she experienced a severe bedbug infestation followed shortly by a widespread mice infestation. With no offer of temporary accommodation, Ms. A was forced to move between friends’ homes with her children.

Condition of the Property and Main Disrepair Issues

The property presented multiple hazards:

• Persistent absence of heating in the living room since the commencement of the tenancy.
• A significant bedbug infestation that persisted for several weeks before treatment.
• A subsequent mice infestation with droppings throughout the home, including the children’s bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, balcony and living areas, and evidence of gnawed skirting, doors and carpets.
• Holes beneath the kitchen sink and around pipework giving the vermin access to the property.
• A contaminated utilities cupboard housing a water tank/boiler, raising hygiene and safety concerns.
• Electrical safety issues, including a hanging bathroom light fitting and inoperative lighting in the kitchen and upstairs toilet.

Although the landlord attended on an out-of-hours basis to remove a dead mouse and take photographs, substantive remedial works and decant arrangements were not provided at that stage. Ms. A reported that her emails went unanswered and no interim measures were offered.

Impact on the Tenant’s Life

The conditions had a serious impact on daily life and wellbeing. Ms. A reported anxiety and sleep disruption, sought medical support, and described the stress of caring for two very young children amid vermin activity and contaminated living areas. She disposed of numerous belongings and soft furnishings due to infestation. Without rehousing or temporary accommodation, she and the children moved between friends’ homes, causing instability and distress.

How SDS Solicitors Supported the Client

SDS Solicitors were instructed to act on a No Win No Fee basis. The housing disrepair team took swift, practical steps to protect the family and secure compliance from the landlord:

• Arranged an urgent independent surveyor’s inspection to document the heating failure, pest ingress points, electrical hazards and general disrepair.
• Obtained and organised photographic evidence, repair logs and complaint correspondence, alongside medical evidence from the GP.
• Sent a detailed Letter of Claim setting out the landlord’s repairing obligations and the risks posed to young children, pressing for immediate pest control, proofing and safe reinstatement of the property.
• Secured interim measures, including professional pest eradication, deep cleaning and sealing of entry points, together with safe reinstatement of lighting.
• Coordinated with the landlord to restore heating in the living room and to complete associated plumbing and joinery works identified in the expert report.
• Negotiated a resolution addressing distress and inconvenience, loss of amenity and disruption, with a clear programme and timetable for works and post-treatment monitoring.

Outcome and Reflection

Repairs were completed, including restoration of the heating system, full pest eradication with proofing to prevent re-entry, replacement of damaged fixtures where needed, and electrical safety remediation. The property was professionally cleaned and certified as safe for the children. A fair settlement was achieved to reflect the loss of amenity and disruption. The landlord also agreed to improved communication protocols and timescales for urgent attendances.

This case demonstrates the importance of early expert evidence, robust negotiation and a firm insistence on child-focused interim measures. It also highlights that tenants are entitled to a habitable home, prompt responses to infestations and safe, functional heating and electrics.

Fee Earner’s Comment

“This case required persistent advocacy to ensure urgent health and safety issues were prioritised. We are pleased to have secured a fair and positive outcome, with comprehensive repairs completed and safeguards in place to protect this young family.”

Speak to Our Housing Disrepair Solicitors

If you are experiencing damp, mould, faulty heating, infestations or other disrepair, SDS Solicitors can help. Our team acts on a No Win No Fee basis, providing clear advice and practical support from first contact through to resolution. We assist clients across Manchester, Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield, and offer nationwide coverage across England.

Contact SDS Solicitors today for prompt, compassionate assistance with you housing disrepair claim.