OV9

Alright all,

May I ask for the forum wisdom on this issue?

We've had multiple offers on our property, and are about to make a offer on the one we want.

Issue I have is that yesterday, typically, my previously solved rat problem reoccurred. We can hear some scratching in the cavity of our extension.

Straight away we hired a pest controller who has fitted a one-way drain flap, and the water company are coming out to survey the drain again (they did do this before, nothing was found) to make doubly sure there are no breaks or entry points down there.

The pest control will do return visits until they are satisfied the problem is solved.

My question is, do I declare this when selling? There's no way I'd leave it for the next owner to deal with, and I'm sure it will be all sorted by the time they move in.

Thing is, I'm a right catastrophiser and have visions of it not being sortee by then. Especially since it appears to recurring. But at the same time, I can't withdraw from all of this as I have a pest issue that's being dealt with.

Am I doing it right or wrong or both?

Cheers

Run it past your solicitor. Tell them your remediation. Leave the disclosure call to them as they will have a better idea on what legally is your responsibility.

Very much that.

Cheers guys. That makes sense. We've not actually instructed a conveyancer yet, but if it isn't resolved quick, I'll disclose it to them for advice.

To the extent that you are asked directly about it in the conveyancing process, you'd have to disclose it. There's no question in the standard property info form about infestations. I wouldn't mention it at this point at all.

If there is a direct question asked about it, you can simply reply that there has previously been evidence of rodents, you had a pest control company out, that they have carried out investigations and work to prevent it recurring and that you are not aware of any current issues.

It really isn't particularly abnormal - like having a wasps' nest treated or whatever, it's just something that anyone would have to deal with.

Thanks Jobbo, appreciate that. That's what I'll do!

In other news - We have discovered evidence of mice this morning.

scotta wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:51 pm Run it past your solicitor. Tell them your remediation. Leave the disclosure call to them as they will have a better idea on what legally is your responsibility.

Yes, absolutely - and as to Jobbo's point, run everything past your solicitor before declaring anything. That's what you're paying them for. There was a few things that I was going to mention on ours but our solicitor clarified that the details did not need to be disclosed. Nothing major or significant but still, no point in giving over information that may be used to negotiate a lower price.

scotta wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 3:33 pm In other news - We have discovered evidence of mice this morning.

In the past I'd have suggested getting a cat. However, it turns out that even with 11 cats chasing a live mouse around our house, I could relatively easily catch the mouse myself and put it outside. So if you do get a cat, get one which is good at catching mice.

Jobbo wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:13 pm

scotta wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 3:33 pm In other news - We have discovered evidence of mice this morning.

In the past I'd have suggested getting a cat. However, it turns out that even with 11 cats chasing a live mouse around our house, I could relatively easily catch the mouse myself and put it outside. So if you do get a cat, get one which is good at catching mice.

Im also allergic to cats so that wont help.

scotta wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:37 pm
Im also allergic to cats so that wont help.

So was I until we got a cat 22 years ago. Then it went after a while.

Simon wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:44 pm

scotta wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:37 pm
Im also allergic to cats so that wont help.

So was I until we got a cat 22 years ago. Then it went after a while.

Spooky. I was also allergic to cats as a kid. Mrs mik had them when we met though, and I eventually got used to them and wasn't affected. Weird.

mik wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:46 pm

Simon wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:44 pm

scotta wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:37 pm
Im also allergic to cats so that wont help.

So was I until we got a cat 22 years ago. Then it went after a while.

Spooky. I was also allergic to cats as a kid. Mrs mik had them when we met though, and I eventually got used to them and wasn't affected. Weird.

Bizarrely ive gone the other way. Never used to be bothered with cats. my mate had a cat that would ofter sit on my lap. An EX GF had two cats. Was never bothered. Wasnt till my mid to late 20's I got allergic.

With regard to mice. We had loads when we first moved in. This is how I dealt with them:

Find where your heating pipes are, lift floorboards and put enough poison to kill a baby elephant in that area. They always nest near the warmth of the heating pipes so it’s a place they will definitely cross. Also treat under the kitchen kickboards too. Use way more poison/ traps than you think you need

Cheers. Only issue I have is that the floors downstairs are all concrete, and they're only in the cavity of the extension - the rest of the house is fine (no cavity wall).

We've had the one-way flap fitted right next to the extension, and we're considering chucking some poison in the wall/extension roof for good measure. I've also contacted a more specialist pest controller who do their own drain surveys and inspections. If the issue isn't resolved within a week or two, I'm getting them round to have a look and track it.

I'm sure I'll get on top of it.

If its any consolation, i've been involved with 1,000s of house purchases and vermin has not once been discussed let alone become an an issue.

Poison is not necessarily a good idea - if they die under the floorboards you're going to get the stench and then the flies. Humane traps and finding their access and blocking it (the one-way valve in the sewer) is the way to go.

I say you should take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure *

* wait til you’ve been paid though.

Jobbo wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:34 pm Poison is not necessarily a good idea - if they die under the floorboards you're going to get the stench and then the flies. Humane traps and finding their access and blocking it (the one-way valve in the sewer) is the way to go.

yeah, a decaying rodent smell on viewing would definitely have buyers reconsidering. It stinks out the whole house.

If it’s just a mouse you end up with a dehydrated carcass much like jerky, no smell.
If it’s a rat it will stink. So don’t poison rats in the house.