An elderly man was found to be living in a squalid rat-infested home which was so filthy it posed a risk to his life.
The shocking discovery was made by Ashfield District Council's environment health team after they were made aware of a resident living in appalling conditions in a privately-owned property in the Selston area of Nottingham.
The emergency inspection of the house found the resident living alongside a large infestation of rats with no electricity, heating or water.
The property was also in such a serious state of disrepair that it could have collapsed at any moment, Nottinghamshire Live reports.
Concerned council officers moved the elderly resident into a local care home due to his ill health.
John Wilmott, cabinet member for licensing at Ashfield District Council, said: "The owner of the property was vulnerable and living in an awful condition that could have ended his life.
"The amount of filth in the property was unimaginable, it was truly unbelievable that someone could live that way, but thanks to the work of our officers, he never has to live like that again.
"The council is committed to supporting vulnerable residents and utilising all available resources to ensure the empty and dangerous homes are made safe and reoccupied."
The environmental health team helped the owner sell his house at auction which has now been renovated into a family home.
Last month a frustrated landlord spoke of his experiences with nightmare tenants who left his properties in squalid conditions.
The man has been renting out houses for 15 years and despite building up a successful business, he constantly has to deal with tenants who wreck his homes and live in filth.
The homeowner, who has houses in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, said he once saw a baby crawl through dog poo in one of their flats.
On another occasion, he visited a house and found a lawnmower in the living room, Grimsby Live reports.
The landlord said he is now on his tenth eviction, which has taken a financial toll on his family.
For this reason, they have decided to start selling their houses instead of renting them.
