Letter to your landlord about mice, rats, or cockroaches
When to use this
- You have seen mice, rats, cockroaches, bedbugs, or other pests.
- You want a written record that you have reported it.
- Your landlord has delayed, or pest control visited but the problem came back.
What to attach
- Photos or video of the pest problem or damage
- Photo of any droppings, gnaw marks, or entry points
- Any earlier reports you have made
The template (copy or print)
[Your full name] [Your address, including postcode] [Today's date] [Landlord's name and address, or housing officer's email] Dear [Landlord or Housing Officer name], Re: Pest infestation at [Your address] I am writing to formally report a [mice / rat / cockroach / bedbug / other pest] infestation in my home. I first noticed the problem around [date or month]. [Describe what you have seen: droppings in the kitchen, gnaw marks on food packaging, a nest behind the fridge, etc.] [If the problem returned after a pest control visit: A pest control visit was arranged on [date], but the problem has returned. The treatment did not fix the underlying cause.] Pests in a rented home are a health hazard, especially where [children / elderly or immunocompromised people] live in the property. Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, you have a duty to keep my home fit to live in. A pest infestation means it is not fit. Please arrange an inspection and proper treatment within [7 days / a reasonable time]. The treatment must deal with the cause (entry points, structural gaps) not just the symptoms. Please confirm your proposed action and dates in writing. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Your phone number] [Your email address]
After you send it
If your landlord does not respond within 7 days or the problem continues, report it to your council's environmental health team.
See also: the related guide.
Want help with your case?
Call us free or start a claim online. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.