Urgent issue - Pest control

[fed_up_uk]

Hi all,

 

We're on the 3rd floor of a block of flats with a loftspace above us, the loft space is classed as a communal area and contains the water tanks for the other 5 residential properties.

 

Over the last few weeks pigeons have got into this space and the numbers are growing. The maintenance company told us this has been dealt with but it clearly hasn't. The noise is becoming worse and we're woken at 5:30 every morning by scratching, cooing and what sounds like fighting!

 

There is a large visible hole in a window leading into this space that hasn't been addressed. Over the weekend the noise etc has got considerably worse and we're more concerned at the risk of disease etc as we have water tanks in the same area.

 

I've tried to email the maintenance company and it's bounced back. The website is now down and there's a phone message when you call saying no one will be around until the 28th April. What do we do?

[BaldyBaldwin]

i know you shouldnt have to, but can you get into the loft space yourself?

one thing here that should be urgently addressed is to see if the water tanks have covers

[fed_up_uk]

The water tanks do not have covers Baldy

[fed_up_uk]

What annoys me is they know this is an issue and they must know there's a health issue involved with this but they've lied and made no attempt to sort this out. Neither did they mention they would be closed for 10 days.

[BaldyBaldwin]

could you call the enviromental health people at your council, this is surely a health issue

[389shell]

I would do this too, they should be able to do something immediately. It is quite a serious situation.

[robin9342]

You might find this link useful when dealing with the maintanance company:

Leasehold Advisory Service

[fed_up_uk]

Unfortunately environmental health and pest control don't deal with pigeons. It seems you have to employ a professional firm to remove and clean up properly. If I instruct someone to do this, I can guarantee I would never get the money back from the maintenance company.

[fed_up_uk]

One of our neighbours came round last night and asked if he could get up in the loft and have a look around as the cold water in the bathroom was starting to smell funny. He went up and saw his tank was not only exposed but was full of sludge and waste so it will need draining down and cleaning properly. Still not sure what to do, with no maintenance company available it's difficult to speak to anyone.

[robin9342]

I would definitely call environmental health. They may not be able to deal with the pigeons themselves, but I think they would have the power to order the landlord/maintenance company to do something about it.