Family sues London council over rat-infested home

While one London council launches ‘surprise’ visits on private landlords to catch them breaking laws, it’s not the same situation for them as one of its own tenant families is suing over a serious rat infestation.

The mother alleges that her family’s council home is unfit for human habitation due to severe rat infestations, pervasive mould and a broken kitchen sink, causing foul smells.

Ms Eniola has lived in the Brent Council property since 1992 with her adult daughter and disabled son.

She claims the dire living conditions have worsened her son’s asthma, leading to emergency hospital visits, and left the family feeling ‘depressed’.

Council ignores concerns

Ms Eniola first reported the property’s ‘dangerous condition’ to Brent Council in 2022 but says her concerns have been consistently ignored.

She says the council isn’t interested because it would cost too much to remedy the situation.

The mother told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I don’t want to die early; who will take care of my disabled son? I just want to leave Brent permanently and move to another [area] for a fresh start.”

House infested with rats

A pest control inspection carried out by the council in November 2024 confirmed the home was ‘fully infested with mice and rats’.

Plus, damp and mould had ‘overtaken the entire house’.

The report went on to say that the property is ‘not fit to live in’ and urged the council to relocate the tenants.

It noted that the house requires extensive refurbishment to address long-standing issues, including sewer damage that allows rodents to enter.

No record of survey visits

Despite multiple surveyor visits, there were six in one year alone, Ms Eniola claims the council has failed to act on its findings.

She explained that the council says it has no record of it and simply book another survey.

The court action comes at a time when Brent Council has been actively addressing substandard housing in the private rented sector.

Recently, the council’s enforcement teams conducted door-to-door inspections to ensure private landlords comply with licensing requirements and maintain safe living conditions.

Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Brent’s cabinet member for housing, previously stated: “No one should have to live in damp, overcrowded or dangerous conditions while their landlord looks the other way.”

Ms Eniola’s solicitors are now awaiting a court date to hear the case and Brent Council declined to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.