Pregnant mum whose house is overrun with mice ‘told to get a cat’ by landlords

A young mum expecting her third child said she was told to “get a cat” by her landlords after complaining about a mouse infestation – even though her tenancy agreement says she isn’t allowed to keep a pet.

Linsey Timmins said the mice had been making so much noise that at one point she thought burglars had broken into her flat.

She has even threatened to stop paying her rent until the problem is solved.

Wolverhampton Homes, the company responsible for managing most of the council homes in Wolverhampton said a worker “could not recall” making the cat suggestion, but apologised for the mouse issue.

Linsey, a pregnant mum-of-two, told the BBC : “I thought someone had got up the drainpipe and into my back bedroom because the noise was that bad.

“It started when I had my two-year-old son in the bath and one came at me from nowhere. I was petrified and didn’t know whether to run.

“Me and many others who live here were advised to go and buy a cat,” she said, but added: “How do I get a cat in the cavity of the walls? How do I get a cat in the floorboards? On my tenancy agreement, it clearly states no pets.”

A spokesman for Wolverhampton Homes told BlackCountryLive that staff could not remember mentioning a cat.

A statement said: “We are sorry to hear the presence of mice in Miss Timmins’ home is ongoing despite our extensive efforts to resolve the issue.

“When Miss Timmins brought this issue to our attention we arranged baiting in the communal areas and referred the matter to our pest control contractor.

“Miss Timmins’ home has been treated for mice and there are ongoing investigations by pest control to treat other properties. Investigations have been undertaken to identify vermin entry points into the building, and we are also dealing with any existing presence of mice in residents’ homes.

“We will continue to work with residents in the block on the importance of the proper disposal of food waste, and steps are being taken to ensure the surrounding area is tidy and free of fly-tipping which may be attracting vermin.”

They added: “We’re extremely sorry to hear of the problems being faced by Miss Timmins and her neighbours and recognise the effect this is having on them.

“Our officers have spoken with Miss Timmins at length and understand she would like to be rehoused. Like all social housing landlords, we’re seeing a growing demand for affordable housing in Wolverhampton and competition for council housing is fierce.

“Our focus is on sustaining tenancies and we will continue to support Miss Timmins and other residents in any way we can until the mice have been eradicated.”