Rat Infestation Forces Family Out of Housing Association Home

A Northampton mother and her two young children have been moved out of their housing association home after a long-running rat infestation escalated to the point that fluid from a dead rat began dripping through the bathroom ceiling.

The family reportedly raised concerns about rats for several years before being moved into temporary hotel accommodation. According to ITV News Anglia, the mother first noticed signs of rats in 2021 and said she had repeatedly reported the problem. Pest control officers later attended several times and, according to the resident, described the infestation as severe. The situation became particularly serious when maggots were found in the bath and fluid from a dead rat began dripping through the ceiling. 

The property in the Rectory Farm area of Northampton is owned by Sanctuary Housing Association. The mother also said rats had been seen or heard around the home, garden and neighbouring properties. ITV reported that another nearby family had been moved out after experiencing the same widespread rat problem, with children disturbed by the sound of rodents moving around at night. 

A pest problem can quickly become a wider housing issue 

Rats and mice are not simply unpleasant to live with; pest infestations can contaminate surfaces, damage property and cause serious distress for people living in the home. 

The Housing Ombudsman Service says pest infestations can be extremely distressing and that landlords should take reports seriously, investigate the cause and arrange timely repairs where needed. It also says landlords should not automatically place responsibility on the resident without first looking properly at why the infestation is happening. 

The Housing Ombudsman Service is an independent body that investigates complaints about social landlords in England, including councils and housing associations. 

Landlords should investigate the cause, not just treat the symptoms 

Where rats are entering a social housing property, the cause can be important in determining what needs to happen next. 

The problem may be linked to holes in walls, damaged drains, gaps around roofs or vents, poorly maintained communal areas, or other defects that allow rodents into the building. 

The Housing Ombudsman’s pest guidance advises landlords to link pest reports to possible disrepair and to look for wider patterns when several residents in the same block or area are affected. It also recommends using specialist contractors and keeping residents updated on what is being investigated and when work is expected. 

Sanctuary said it had brought in a specialist contractor and additional estates staff, while also working with environmental health and Anglian Water to address what it described as a wider issue in the area. 

For tenants dealing with vermin infestations, the underlying cause can be just as important as the pest treatment itself. If access points or structural defects aren't addressed, the problem may return. 

Temporary accommodation may be needed where the home is unsafe 

The family in this case moved into a hotel while work continued, but the resident said the uncertainty over when they could return was stressful, particularly with children aged five and 11 months. 

The Housing Ombudsman says landlords should assess whether a resident needs to be temporarily relocated if a pest infestation is serious, taking into account the condition of the property and the household’s circumstances. 

Where contamination is severe or essential parts of the home cannot be used safely, alternative accommodation may be necessary. 

Pest infestations are set to come under Awaab’s Law 

There is an important change coming for social housing tenants in England under Awaab’s Law. 

Awaab’s Law came into effect in October 2025, requiring housing association and council landlords to take a proactive approach to fixing reports of damp, mould and other emergency repairs within a strict timeline. The law was passed in 2023 as part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and was named after Awaab Ishak, a two- year- old boy who tragically died as a result of mould exposure in social housing in December 2020. 

From 30 November 2026, the second phase of Awaab’s Law is due to extend the rules beyond significant damp and mould to cover a wider range of serious hazards, including pest infestations under the domestic hygiene category. 

Government guidance states that serious pest infestations can constitute a significant or emergency hazard when they pose a risk to health. It specifically recognises situations in which rats enter a home through defects and contaminate living or food preparation areas. 

This means social landlords will face clearer requirements to investigate and address serious pest hazards within set timescales when the legal criteria are met. 

What can tenants do if a rat infestation is not being resolved? 

Social housing tenants should report pest problems to their landlord as soon as possible and keep a record of what they have reported and when. 

Photographs, videos, pest control reports, repair reference numbers, and copies of emails or complaint responses can help demonstrate how long the problem has been ongoing and how serious it has become. 

If the infestation appears to be linked to disrepair, such as damaged drains, holes, roof defects, or other access points, tenants should report these issues as well. 

If the landlord does not resolve the problem, a formal complaint can be submitted. If the issue remains unresolved, tenants may be able to take the complaint to the Housing Ombudsman Service. 

The Housing Ombudsman Service can investigate complaints, make findings and recommend action, including repairs, apologies and compensation, although the process may not always deliver the urgent or enforceable outcome a tenant needs. 

How Premier Legal Assist can help 

If you are a social housing tenant and your council or housing association has failed to deal with a reported rat, mouse or other vermin problem linked to the condition of your home, you may be entitled to make a housing disrepair claim. 

Premier Legal Assist works with specialist no-win, no-fee housing disrepair solicitors who regularly handle council and housing association cases. They can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, push for the repairs you need, and pursue compensation where appropriate. 

To find out if you are eligible, complete our short claim form or message us on WhatsApp, and a member of our team will be in touch.