A Salford family say their lives have become a “horror movie” after rats chewed holes through a bedroom ceiling.
The family in Boothstown say they have been tormented by months of “horrific night” listening to rodents scuttling around the loft above them, and been left without help from their housing association.
Rebecca has lived in the ForHousing property with her nine-year-old son and older teenage daughter since August 2021, but said she first reported the problem in February this year and was ignored.
During that time holes were chewed through her bedroom ceiling in a cupboard area, and she said the loft “stinks” because of the rats running around up there.
The holes were repaired after the Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted ForHousing about the problem on Friday (September 6).
Rebecca said the family have seen rats coming into the house through kitchen cupboards while they were eating dinner, and that they are not getting any sleep due to the thought of a rodent entering at night.
She said: “I reported the rats in February 2024 to ForHousing. I was point blank told they would not assist in the funding of pest control from the local housing officer.
“I had explained that a rat had come through the kitchen cupboard while we ate dinner, causing so much distress as you can imagine.
“I have had to have time off work due to anxiety due to sometimes getting no sleep, but they have no interest.
“My worry is they are now chewing through the ceiling, so this is getting worse.
“It’s horrendous. My children refuse to eat in the kitchen area.
“My son is nine years old and afraid to go to bed. This is not acceptable. It’s like a horror movie.”
Rebecca says she thinks a build-up of litter and rubbish bags in the area could be attracting the rats, and is now at her “wits’ end” over the problem.
She is worried a rat is going to fall through the ceiling into the bedroom, and that her son’s school is worried about “disturbing stories of rats whilst he eats and sleeps.”
ForHousing apologised to the family and said the problem is being dealt with by Salford City Council’s pest control team.
Martyn Hague, executive director of customer at ForHousing, said: “I am very sorry that Rebecca is experiencing these issues, we want everyone to feel safe and happy with their home.
“That’s why ForHousing referred Rebecca’s case to the pest control team at Salford City Council who are carrying out suitable treatment, which is ongoing.
“We appreciate this is a difficult and frustrating time while the treatment takes effect. Once it is finished, we will visit Rebecca to carry out any repairs that are needed.
“We have also taken action to address her concerns about litter near her home and are sharing information about steps which can be taken to avoid attracting pests.
“We will continue to support Rebecca and her family.”
The housing association added that the initial report about the problem in February was related to squirrels in the loft rather than rats.
