Ealing Council has been ordered to pay £18,500 after admitting it failed to deal with a rodent infestation at a residential property in the borough.
The local authority, which initially pleaded not guilty, changed its plea to guilty over a complaint that 18 Dormers Rise in Ealing was suffering from an active presence of rodents, including mice and rats.
£5,250 compensation, £13,250 costs
The case was heard at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on 7 October, following a complaint brought under Section 79(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 — the provision covering premises in a state prejudicial to health or a nuisance.
The council was ordered to pay £5,250 in compensation, plus a further £13,250 in costs — bringing the total bill to £18,500.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We are sorry the necessary repairs were not completed sooner.”
28 days to fix it
The court has given the council 28 days to eliminate the rodent problem and carry out any required work to prevent it from recurring.
Rodent infestations in residential properties can pose serious health risks. Rats and mice can spread diseases including leptospirosis and salmonella, contaminate food, and cause structural damage by gnawing through wiring, pipes and insulation.
Councils’ duties on pests
Under the Environmental Protection Act, local authorities have a duty to investigate complaints about statutory nuisances — including premises in a condition prejudicial to health. Where a nuisance is found, councils must serve an abatement notice requiring the responsible party to put it right.
In this case, the council itself was the landlord responsible for the property — and the complainant used the same legislation to hold the authority to account. It is a reminder that councils, as some of London’s largest landlords, are subject to the same legal standards as any other property owner.
The initial not-guilty plea suggests the council believed it had a defence — perhaps that it had taken reasonable steps, or that the infestation was not its responsibility. The decision to change the plea indicates that position was ultimately abandoned.
A costly lesson
The £13,250 costs order is a significant addition to the compensation figure, reflecting the expense of bringing the case. For a council facing well-documented financial pressures, an £18,500 bill over a rodent complaint is an unwelcome outcome.
The case also raises questions about how the infestation was allowed to reach the point of court action. Council tenants who report pest problems expect prompt action — and when repairs drag on, the consequences can escalate from an unpleasant living situation to a legal liability.
Dormers Rise is a residential street in Ealing, and the property at the centre of the case will now need to be brought up to standard within the 28-day deadline set by the court. That is likely to involve professional pest control treatment, sealing of entry points, and repairs to any damage caused by the rodents.
London’s rodent problem
London has long struggled with rats and mice, with the city’s ageing housing stock, dense population and abundant food waste creating ideal conditions. Pest controllers report that sightings have increased in many boroughs in recent years.
For private tenants, landlords have clear legal obligations to deal with infestations — and councils can take enforcement action against them. This case turns the tables, showing that when the council is the landlord, residents have legal routes to force action too.
Ealing, in west London, is one of the capital’s largest boroughs. Like many London councils, it manages thousands of properties — and the case highlights the importance of responsive repairs services for tenants.
Residents dealing with pest problems in council properties are advised to report issues promptly and keep records of their complaints. If a council fails to act, complaints can be escalated to the Housing Ombudsman — or, as this case shows, pursued through the courts.
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