Tenant's Guide to Dealing with Landlord Negligence Over Infestations

Living in a rental property comes with expectations — chiefly that your home should be safe, sanitary, and suitable for everyday life. But when tenants are faced with infestations like rats, cockroaches, or bedbugs, and landlords ignore complaints or delay repairs, it becomes a serious matter of negligence.

If you're currently battling an infestation that your landlord refuses to address, you're not alone — and you're not without options. With the support of a housing disrepair specialist, you can take the proper steps to get help, secure repairs, and even claim compensation. A housing disrepair specialist can help ensure your landlord complies with their legal responsibilities.

Understanding Infestations as a Disrepair Issue

Infestations in a rental property are more than a nuisance — they are a threat to your health, hygiene, and mental well-being. Rodents and insects carry diseases, damage your belongings, and make daily life uncomfortable or unsafe. These infestations often occur due to:

• Poorly maintained properties
• Holes in walls, floors, or ceilings
• Cracks in windows and doors
• Unrepaired leaks or drainage issues
• Overflowing bins or waste buildup nearby

In such cases, it is your landlord’s legal duty to ensure that infestations are resolved and future occurrences are prevented. A housing disrepair specialist can help ensure your landlord complies with their legal responsibilities.

What Does the Law Say?

UK housing law requires landlords to provide homes that are fit for human habitation. Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, infestations are included in the criteria that make a property unfit to live in. If your landlord is aware of a pest issue and refuses to take action, they are in breach of this law.

Local councils can also take enforcement action against landlords who ignore serious infestations. However, many tenants are unaware that they may also be eligible to claim compensation for landlord negligence through the help of a housing disrepair specialist.

Steps You Should Take as a Tenant

If you're facing an infestation in your rented home, follow these steps to protect your rights:

• Document the problem – Take clear photographs and videos of the pests, droppings, or damaged property.
• Report the issue – Send a written complaint to your landlord or letting agent.
• Keep a paper trail – Save all emails, letters, and text conversations related to the issue.
• Allow access for inspections – Give your landlord a fair opportunity to investigate and repair.
• Contact your local council – If your landlord refuses to act, the council’s environmental health team can intervene.

If all else fails, reach out to a housing disrepair specialist to discuss your legal rights and begin a formal claim process.

When Can You Make a Claim?

You can make a claim if:

You reported the infestation, and your landlord failed to act within a reasonable time.

The infestation has caused damage to your belongings or harmed your health.

The issue has affected your ability to live comfortably in your home.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

Physical damage to property (e.g., clothes, food, furniture)

Medical expenses and health deterioration

Stress, anxiety, and mental distress

Loss of enjoyment and use of your home

A housing disrepair specialist will help guide you through this process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Why Work with a Housing Disrepair Specialist?

Making a claim alone can feel overwhelming — especially when you're already dealing with stressful living conditions. That’s where a housing disrepair specialist comes in. They help ensure your landlord takes action and you get the compensation you're entitled to.

What Kind of Infestations Can You Claim For?

You can make a claim for any serious infestation that your landlord refuses to address, including:

• Rats and mice
• Cockroaches
• Ants
• Bedbugs
• Silverfish

Wasps or bees (in specific cases)

These pests can invade any property, but it's your landlord's responsibility to maintain the home in a way that prevents infestations from occurring or worsening. A housing disrepair specialist can help assess the issue and determine the next steps.

Final Thoughts

Infestations aren’t just an inconvenience — they’re a direct violation of your rights as a tenant when ignored by a landlord. If you've reported the issue and still face pest problems, it’s time to take legal action.

No tenant should be forced to live in unsafe or unhealthy conditions. If your landlord isn’t fixing serious issues, contact the Housing Disrepair Team now. Our specialists are ready to listen and act on your behalf.