A council tenant has launched legal action against Brent Council over a rat-infested home that the authority’s own pest control team has described as ‘uninhabitable for humans’.

But Brent operates one of London’s most extensive private sector licensing schemes, covering almost half of all homes in the borough, with multi-agency enforcement teams conducting door-to-door raids using ‘targeted intelligence’ to catch unlicensed properties.

Blitz

The authority’s enforcement blitz has resulted in ‘between two to five prosecutions per week,’ and landlords who are caught breaking the rules face fines of up to £30,000.

But one council tenant, Ms Eniola, who has lived in her Neasden property since 1992 with her severely disabled adult son and daughter, says she has endured three years of rats, mould and sewage problems.

My family is struggling to breathe in the house, we have rat bites all over our body (sic).”

“My family is struggling to breathe in the house, we have rat bites all over our body (sic),” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “My son’s asthma has worsened, and he’s been rushed to the emergency room. The council house is killing my family.”

Brent’s own pest control report has confirmed Eniola’s property was ‘fully infested with mice and rats,’ with mould having ‘overtaken the entire house,’ making it ‘uninhabitable for humans.’

Despite first making a complaint about the conditions in 2022, Eniola claims the council has been ignoring her. “In one year alone,” she says, “we had six surveyors come round, but they refuse to acknowledge the reports.”

We had six surveyors come round, but they refuse to acknowledge the reports.”

Eniola’s case has now progressed to the county court, with her solicitors awaiting a hearing date. The council has declined to comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.

‘Concerns raised

A Brent spokesperson tells The Neg:  “We acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the condition of Ms Eniola’s property and have taken multiple steps to address them. Since 2024, several repair cases have been raised and surveyor visits have been arranged.

“Various professionals, including pest control specialists and surveyors, have attended the property. The council also offered the family temporary alternative accommodation within the borough to allow the necessary repairs to be carried out safely and effectively.

“Unfortunately, Ms Eniola declined this offer, which has delayed our ability to complete the recommended works.”

Pest control

Under current housing law, landlords must investigate and take appropriate action when tenants report rat infestations, including hiring professional pest control and repairing structural damage that allows entry.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 also requires landlords – including councils – to ensure properties remain fit for human habitation, including addressing rat infestations that make properties unsafe to live in.