Anger as Portsmouth man left to deal with rat problem on his own

FURIOUS Robert Pike says his flat is infested with rats and the company he rents it from is refusing to tackle the problem.
Robert Pike has had serious rat problems in his flat Picture: Habibur RahmanRobert Pike has had serious rat problems in his flat Picture: Habibur Rahman
Robert Pike has had serious rat problems in his flat Picture: Habibur Rahman

He has had rodents in his flat, even running across a coffee table and sitting on his sofa.

The 49-year-old, from Hilsea in Portsmouth, has killed eight rats in the past week alone.

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But Mr Pike said not enough is being done to solve the problem and said his home feels dirty and the rats make him nervous.

One of the rats on an armchairOne of the rats on an armchair
One of the rats on an armchair

He has reported the infestation to letting agent Bernards, which looks after the property in London Road on behalf of a private landlord.

Mr Pike said: ‘I am not scared of them but no-one wants rats running around their home.

‘We’ve spotted them on the armchair, the sofa, on the coffee table and even on our bed.

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‘We find ourselves slowly entering rooms and looking around in case we see another one.

One of the rats killed in Robert Pike's homeOne of the rats killed in Robert Pike's home
One of the rats killed in Robert Pike's home

‘Even though we’ve changed our bed sheets, it isn’t nice thinking a dirty rat has been running all over it.

‘I told Bernards when I first started hearing them but it took two weeks and eight rats for them to do anything. It isn’t good enough.’

Mr Pike added: ‘When they did send a pest control person to the house, he filled the holes where I think the rats are coming through with polystyrene and said he would check in again in a couple weeks.’

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The day after the pest control firm visited the flat, Mr Pike had to call them again as he spotted a rat on the coffee table near a lamp.

One of the rats on an armchairOne of the rats on an armchair
One of the rats on an armchair

The company sent someone who killed the rat.

But since then, Mr Pike has still heard the rodents but has received no more support from Bernards or the landlord.

He said: ‘I phoned them last Friday but all they said is someone would be in touch on the Monday. I was expected to stay in the flat all weekend.

‘I feel like they don’t care. Because they don’t have rats in their homes, they aren’t bothered.’

One of the rats killed in Robert Pike's homeOne of the rats killed in Robert Pike's home
One of the rats killed in Robert Pike's home
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Mr Pike said he was grateful to the estate agents who organised for a cleaner to visit the flat and clear it.

‘There was dirt everywhere,’ Mr Pike said.

‘There were rat droppings on the window sills and in the cupboards and I am thankful to Bernards who got someone to come and clean the flat properly.’

Bernards did not respond with a comment when approached by The News.

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