A single mum from Seaham has been left "terrified" to live in her own home because it has become overrun with rats.
Kathryn Bottrill says rodents have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to her property on Fern Crescent by eating away at furniture, clothing and food in their kitchen. The 28-year-old said the problem began around nine weeks ago after vermin found a way into the house via a hole under a garden shed and a gap in her loft cavity.
The mum of two says the conditions at the property are now so bad that the family is unable to live there, leaving them effectively "homeless."
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"It started off in the back yard when the rats were coming into the house from under the shed," she said.
"Then they started coming in through the loft and the kitchen cupboards. They basically had the run of the house when I was asleep.
"They have destroyed everything in my house. They have been nibbling away at the sofas, clothing, everything."
She continued: "Hearing the rats at night when I'm trying to go to sleep has been absolutely terrifying. The kids don't want to be there, they are absolutely petrified.
"I haven't lived in the property for three weeks now. Me and my kids have basically been homeless going from house to house."
Kathryn said she has reported the problem to Seaham housing association, Believe Housing, which manages the property, and contractors have been out to fill holes that could act as possible entry points for the vermin. She says Durham County Council pest control officers have also been to the property every week since the issue was reported but claims that the poison being used is ineffective.
"They can't understand how the rats are getting in the house now," Kathryn said.
"Pest control has been but the rats are not taking to the poison left in the kitchen and the loft. Rats are carrying the poison throughout the house with them and it got on to the kids' bedding and everything.
"The sofa has been completely destroyed as well as clothing, including the kids' school uniforms."
Kathryn, who had lived at the property for more than a year before the problems started, said she can't even take a bath at the house because rats are moving underneath it.
"They are coming in through the loft cavity and going underneath the bath and through the kitchen cupboards," she said.
"If I was to have a bath I would be lying on top of rat droppings."
Kathryn is calling on Believe Housing to rehouse the family and cover the cost of the damaged items.
"I want to be rehomed and for the [housing association] to pay for everything they have destroyed."
Believe Housing said it understood how upsetting the issue must be and stressed that it is continuing to carry out work to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Nik Turner, executive director communities and customer services at Believe Housing, said: “A customer in Seaham made us aware of an issue she was experiencing with rats, which we referred to our specialist contractor Durham County Council. Durham County Council treated the issue and we carried out work to block the rodent access and had the house deep cleaned.
"We were about to start remedial work when it was reported that, unfortunately, rats had found a different way into the property. We have extended our surveys to establish the source of the problem and are working hard to resolve it as soon as possible.
"During this time, we offered the family temporary accommodation, but they were able to stay with relatives. We understand how upsetting this situation must be and continue to support the customer so the family can safely and happily return to their home.”
Durham County Council also confirmed it will continue to work to solve the rodent issue.
Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We are aware of the situation and are carrying out pest control work on behalf of Believe Housing. We have been attempting to resolve the issue through treatment, however, we have not been able to access the property on a number of agreed visits, which is essential for the treatment’s success.
“During the course of the visits we have been able to complete, we have identified how the rats may be entering the property and have provided this information to Believe Housing to assist with further investigations and proofing works. We will continue to work with the tenant and Believe Housing to treat the premises until the matter has been resolved.”
