Pest Infestation Claims Manchester
Rats, mice, cockroaches, bedbugs and other pests can enter your home through holes in walls, broken drains, damaged air bricks and other structural defects. When an infestation is caused by disrepair your landlord has failed to fix, you have the right to claim compensation and force repairs. Manchester Disrepair Claims are SRA-regulated solicitors acting for tenants across Greater Manchester on a No Win No Fee basis.
Signs of Pest Infestation
If you notice any of the following in your rented home, you may have a pest infestation caused by disrepair your landlord should have prevented.
- Droppings from rats, mice or cockroaches
- Gnaw marks on furniture, wiring or food packaging
- Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, floors or ceilings
- Nests or nesting material in hidden areas
- Unusual musty or ammonia-like smells
- Bite marks on skin (bedbugs, fleas)
- Holes or gaps in walls, floors, skirting boards or around pipes
- Dead insects or rodents found in the property
If you suspect a pest infestation, report it to your landlord in writing immediately. Keep a copy of every communication — dated evidence of your report is important for any claim.
Your Landlord's Legal Obligations
Several pieces of legislation protect tenants from pest infestations caused by disrepair.
Section 11 — Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
Your landlord must maintain the structure and exterior of your home, including walls, roofs, drains, guttering and external pipework. If pests are entering through holes, gaps, broken air bricks or other structural defects, the landlord has a legal obligation to carry out those repairs. A failure to do so that allows pest ingress is a breach of their repair duty.
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Under the Housing Act 2004, pest infestation is a recognised hazard that local authorities can assess. If a council environmental health officer inspects and identifies a category 1 or category 2 hazard, they can require the landlord to take action. An HHSRS assessment provides strong independent evidence for your claim.
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Where a pest infestation amounts to a statutory nuisance, your local authority can serve an abatement notice on the landlord under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This compels the landlord to take steps to resolve the problem. A council abatement notice is valuable evidence in a compensation claim.
Fitness for Habitation
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires landlords to ensure their properties are fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy. A property suffering from a pest infestation caused by structural disrepair — such as holes in walls, broken drains or defective waste facilities — may fail this standard, giving tenants a direct right of action.
In short, if the infestation is caused by structural disrepair — holes in walls, broken drains, gaps around pipework, damaged air bricks — your landlord is liable for both the repairs and compensation for the impact on you.
How We Handle Your Pest Infestation Claim
From your first call to repairs completed and compensation paid — here is what to expect.
Your Claim Journey
4 STEPS · NO UPFRONT COST- 01Report
Tell us about the disrepair in a 2-minute form or by phone.
- 02Free Inspection
An independent surveyor inspects your home at no cost to you.
- 03We Notify Your Landlord
We formally serve notice and demand repairs and compensation.
- 04Repairs & Compensation
Your home is fixed and you receive the compensation you're owed.
Compensation for Pest Infestation
Every case is different, but pest infestation claims typically include the following heads of loss.
General damages
Compensation for distress, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of your home caused by living with a pest infestation.
Special damages
Reimbursement for belongings damaged by pests — furniture, clothing, bedding, food, electrical wiring and other items you can evidence.
Health-related claims
If the infestation has caused or worsened a health condition — respiratory illness from droppings, skin reactions from bites, anxiety or stress — you can claim for the health impact.
Private pest treatment costs
If your landlord refused to act and you paid for pest control yourself, those costs are recoverable as part of your claim.
Pest Infestation Claim FAQs
Is my landlord responsible for pest infestation?
If the pests are entering your property through structural defects your landlord is obligated to repair — such as holes in walls, broken air bricks, damaged drains or gaps around pipework — then yes, your landlord is legally responsible. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords must maintain the structure and exterior of the property. When a failure to carry out those repairs allows pests to enter, the landlord can be held liable for the infestation and any resulting losses.
What if my landlord says the pests are my fault?
Landlords sometimes try to blame tenants for attracting pests, but if the root cause is a structural defect — holes in external walls, broken drain covers, gaps under doors or around pipes — the landlord remains responsible for fixing that defect. Your solicitor can obtain an independent surveyor's report establishing the cause of the infestation. If it is linked to disrepair the landlord should have addressed, their argument that the problem is your fault will not succeed.
Can I claim for pest problems in a flat?
Yes. Tenants in flats can claim for pest infestations caused by disrepair in the same way as tenants in houses. Common causes in flats include shared drainage defects, holes between adjoining properties, gaps in communal areas and defective waste facilities. The landlord's repair obligation under section 11 extends to the structure of the building and shared areas, so if the infestation originates from those parts, the landlord is liable.
Do I need to report the pests to the council first?
You do not have to report to the council before making a legal claim, but doing so can strengthen your case. The local authority's environmental health team can inspect, serve an abatement notice on the landlord under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and create an official record of the problem. Council records, photographs and enforcement action all serve as useful evidence when pursuing a housing disrepair claim.
What evidence do I need for a pest infestation claim?
Gather dated photographs and videos of pest activity, droppings, gnaw marks and any damage caused. Keep copies of every communication to your landlord reporting the problem — emails, letters, texts and repair portal messages. If you contacted the council, request copies of their inspection reports. Note any health effects and ask your GP for a supporting letter. Receipts for pest treatment you paid for, damaged belongings and any additional costs help quantify your special damages claim.
Other Types of Housing Disrepair We Handle
Pest problems often go hand-in-hand with other disrepair. We handle claims for all of these issues.
Black mould on walls, ceilings or window frames, a serious health hazard your landlord must fix.
Persistent leaks from roofs, pipes or plumbing that damage your home and belongings.
Cracks, subsidence, sagging floors, unsafe stairs or crumbling brickwork left unrepaired.
Broken boilers, cold radiators, or no hot water for weeks, a landlord repair obligation.
Faulty wiring, dead sockets, unsafe fuse boards or exposed cables putting your home at risk.
Pest Infestation Claims Across Greater Manchester
We handle pest infestation disrepair claims for tenants in every Greater Manchester borough.
Start your free claim assessment today.
No cost, no obligation. Speak to a real solicitor's team, not a call centre, and get your home fixed.