Written question asked by Lord Ouseley (Crossbench) on Monday, 19 October 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 November 2015. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 October 2015 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Private Rented Housing: Pests

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent study by Shelter, what steps they are taking to address the problems faced by tenants in privately rented homes infested with vermin.

Answer: Local authorities have a power under section 4 of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to require owners of premises infested by mice or rats to eradicate the problem and failure to do so is a criminal offence. Infestation by such pests is also a hazard under the housing, health and safety rating system in Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004. Where the infestation is a category 1 hazard the local authority must require the landlord to take action to eradicate the infestation or it may prohibit the property (or the affected part) from being occupied until the hazard has been eradicated. Through licensing schemes under Parts 2 or 3 of that Act an authority can impose licence conditions relating to privately rented homes that require landlords to take measures to prevent infestation of pests and a failure to do so would be a criminal offence.

Secondary information