Guides › Rent and Deposits › Mice, Rats or Pests in Your Rented Home
Mice, Rats or Pests in Your Rented Home
The landlord is probably responsible for pests if your agreement says so, the infestation came from repairs they did not make, or it makes the home unsafe to live in. You may be responsible if you caused it, for example by not disposing of rubbish properly. Report it straight away because the landlord is usually responsible only once they know.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Who Is Responsible
Landlord or Tenant
You may be responsible if you caused it, such as through not disposing of rubbish. The landlord is probably responsible if the tenancy agreement says so, it was caused by repairs not done, such as holes in walls, or it makes the home unsafe. They are usually responsible once they know, so report it straight away. source
Social Tenants
For council and housing association tenants, if the infestation is an emergency hazard the landlord must make the home safe within 24 hours and, if they cannot, offer somewhere else to live. source
Help from the Council
Powers
A harmful infestation may be a statutory nuisance and the council may force the landlord to deal with it, or it could be a health and safety hazard under HHSRS. For mice and rats, tell the council: it may destroy them or require the owner or landlord to act. Private tenants may have to pay for pest control. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 24 hoursEmergency hazards made safe in social housingAwaab's Law
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Take dated photos and note what you see and when.
Step 2 of 5
Report it to the landlord in writing and keep a copy.
Step 3 of 5
Store and dispose of food and rubbish properly.
Step 4 of 5
If the landlord does not act, contact the council's pest control or environmental health team.
Step 5 of 5
Social tenants can complain to the landlord and then the Housing Ombudsman.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Landlord, in Writing
Always start here.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Check your tenancy agreement for who deals with pests.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules for renting.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 14 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/whos-responsible-for-repairs/repairs-infestations-of-pests-and-vermin Checked 14 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026