Help! There is a mouse in the house

A disabled woman living in social housing in south Armagh has been left dealing with a mouse infestation in her home, with her family raising concerns about delays in response from her housing provider.

The woman, who lives in Doire Ard outside Bessbrook in a Radius Housing property, reported the issue several weeks ago after discovering rodent droppings in the house.

Her daughter, Louise Robinson-Daley, said she contacted Radius Housing immediately but was left frustrated by the response.

“She immediately contacted Radius and was told someone would be in touch. Silence,” she said.

According to Ms Robinson-Daley, her mother later followed up and was informed the matter was her responsibility.

“She contacted Radius again, and was told that this was her responsibility,” she said.

The family insists the property is well maintained, with Ms Robinson-Daley stating: “My mother keeps a clean home, she does not live in unhygienic conditions.”

Due to her disability, the tenant is unable to investigate how the mice are entering the property or carry out major cleaning or repair work herself.

“Due to her disability, she isn’t able to find where the mice are getting in, she can’t move furniture and appliances and rip cupboards out,” her daughter said.

The infestation has affected multiple rooms in the house. Ms Robinson-Daley said her mother has seen mice on kitchen surfaces and has had to dispose of appliances due to contamination.

“She has seen a mouse on her kitchen benches. She has had to throw away her toaster as there were droppings inside it,” she said.

She also described the extent of the problem throughout the home, adding: “There are droppings in her wet room, utility room, kitchen and her sons’ bedroom.”

Concerns have also been raised about potential health risks, particularly as the tenant suffers from respiratory issues.

“There is mouse urine down the wall in her kitchen and in her cupboards. This is completely unsanitary and mouse urine is dangerous for people with respiratory issues, which she does suffer from,” Ms Robinson-Daley said.

The situation has also had an emotional impact on the tenant.

“She is beside herself,” her daughter said, adding that she has been “crying out for help and being palmed off.”

The family claims they were advised it could take up to a month for someone to attend the property.

“They have told her someone will come out in a month. A month,” Ms Robinson-Daley said.

With a private exterminator quoting £350, the cost of resolving the issue independently is said to be out of reach.

The family also highlighted previous delays in repairs at the property, stating it took too long for basic amendments to be made in the wet room, despite earlier assurances the work would be completed.

“It took seven years for them to install shower doors for her wet room,” Ms Robinson-Daley said.

The case raises questions around response times and responsibilities for pest control in social housing, particularly where vulnerable tenants are involved.

Radius Housing responded "In most cases, responsibility for pest control within a property rests with the tenant, and where works are required to block entry points, these are appropriately raised as routine repairs. In this instance, the matter was initially managed in line with this approach. “However, following further engagement with the tenant, it became clear that the extent and impact of the issue required a more immediate response. The case was therefore reassessed and appropriately escalated from a routine repair to an urgent priority.

"Pest control contractors attended the property within the required urgent response timescales, completed the necessary treatment, and identified potential entry points. Contractors returned to the tenant’s home on Monday, 30 March, to complete works to seal these access points.

“Further follow-up visits have been arranged to monitor the situation and ensure the effectiveness of the works undertaken.

"A Radius Housing Officer will also make contact with the tenant to ensure that any further assistance required is identified and considered."