Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, we'll ensure that your home is safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm. Pests such as rats, mice, cockroaches and pigeons pose a risk to human health and are covered by the Act. It's important to note that pests can gain entry to a property through small cracks in drains, pipes and air vents/bricks. If you're aware of any cracks, it's very important that you make Eastlight aware so we can repair them for you.

Your responsibilities

There will be some circumstances where you will be responsible for pest control measures.

Your local authority can support you with pest control issues for pests that do not make your home unsafe, such as fleas, bed bugs and wasps. Please click here for further guidance on pest control at your property.

Where there is a rat, mouse or cockroach infestation and it can be proven that you were negligent in the upkeep of your home, you may be responsible for your own pest control measures. Some examples include leaving rubbish out to attract pests, such as mice and rats, living in unsanitary conditions or regularly leaving food outside. If you need support to improve your living environment, please contact us. 

If you do contact us, please ensure you provide us with full details of any contributing factors that may be part of the cause. This can include surrounding properties with untidy gardens, large amounts of rubbish in the local area and/or property development in the area, which can cause pests such as rats and mice to relocate.

Our responsibilities

We're responsible for dealing with pest problems if:

• Repairs are needed to stop pests getting in
• An infestation makes your home unsafe (confirmed by environmental services and/or pest control professional services).

Where its our responsibility to resolve, we'll arrange and pay for a pest control operative to attend your home and address the issue. The date and time will be mutually agreed between us and you. 

Eastlight will also be responsible for all pest control measures that are within or are generated from communal-based areas. These include communal areas within blocks of flats and also our Housing for Older People schemes. 

The right of reasonable access

In an emergency, we are permitted to enter your home as per the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement. However, in the case of repairing a property to make it fit for habitation, we'll give you at least 24 hours’ notice and the visit will be within ‘reasonable’ hours.

We please ask that you work with us to remedy any pest control issues that could be making your home unsafe to live in.

Tips for keeping your home pest free

• Wipe kitchen surfaces and floors regularly to remove any traces of food, especially after preparing or eating a meal
• Clean up food spills immediately
• Don’t leave food (including pet food) or unwashed dishes out, particularly overnight
• Store food in sealed containers
• Make sure rubbish is in a bin bag and throw it away in your bin or bin store
• Keep your garden tidy (eg. don’t leave any rubbish and old furniture out) to reduce the chance of mice and rats nesting
• If you feed birds, use a table or a feeder off the ground (out of the reach of mice and rats)
• Seal holes around pipework with filler e.g. wire wool with mastic sealer. If you can't do this, please contact us as soon as possible
• Be a good neighbour; keep communal areas on your estate clean and pick up any rubbish (particularly food)
• If you have bulky waste that you need to dispose of, please do contact your local authority, who may be able to assist
• If you have pets in the garden that could attract vermin, please be mindful of how you store pet food.