Brent Council Tenant Living in Rat-Infested Flat "Ignored" By Local Authority

Ms Eniola and her two children have been living with sewer damage, damp and mould, and damaged plumbing that was first reported in 2022, but feel they are being "ignored" by their landlord. 

A mother-of-two living in a Brent Council-managed home has told the BBC that her home is “unfit for human habitation” and that she and her children “have rat bites all over [their bodies]” as a result of an ongoing infestation that she claims the council has not dealt with properly. 

Concerns being ignored 

According to Ms Eniola, she first reported issues with rats, damp and mould to the council in 2022. She has had a number of surveyors to the property, but the findings are never communicated to her or followed up on, and the council says "they have no record of it and just book another one in". In one year alone, there were six surveys at the property.  

In a November 2024 pest control inspection, the officer wrote that the property was "fully infested with mice and rats" and that mould and damp had "taken over the entire house". The report concluded that Ms Eniola and her children should move out, and the whole house should be refurbished. This was particularly important due to the vulnerability of Ms Eniola's disabled son; she claims that the condition of the property was worsening his asthma, and he had to receive emergency medical treatment. 

Brent Council told the BBC: “The council also offered the family temporary alternative accommodation within the borough to allow the necessary repairs to be carried out safely and effectively. 

"Unfortunately, Ms Eniola declined this offer, which has delayed our ability to complete the recommended works." 

Landlords must take accountability 

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, tenants have the right to live in a property that is fit for human habitation at the beginning of their tenancy and throughout. This requires both private and social landlords to act on any complaints within a reasonable timeframe. 

When a landlord fails to act within a reasonable timeframe, there is a risk that the situation could deteriorate and lead to health and safety issues for tenants. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act, passed in 2023, increased regulations on social landlords designed to protect tenants from serious harm due to disrepair and hazards in their homes. 

What can the Housing Ombudsman do?  

The Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) is an independent public body which aims to improve residents' lives and landlords' services by investigating and resolving housing complaints. The service is independent and impartial and can decide on long-overdue complaints. 

HOS regularly upholds complaints, with 73% of decisions resulting in a finding of maladministration, indicating the landlord’s failure of legal, policy or process requirements. While tenants can take their claim to HOS themselves, it can be quicker and more effective to seek legal advice. 

At Premier Legal Assist, we connect social housing tenants with specialist housing disrepair solicitors who have experience in fighting for and securing compensation. Our panel solicitors work on a 'no-win, no-fee' basis, meaning no upfront fees.  

Premier Legal Assist can help 

If you live in a property affected by disrepair, such as mould, leaks, broken heating, or structural issues, and your landlord has failed to act, you may be entitled to take your claim further. 

To find out if you are eligible to make a ‘no-win, no-fee’ disrepair claim, complete our claim form, and a member of our team will be in touch.