RATS! Problems covered over instead of properly fixed
I’ve been dealing with a rat infestation in my property for several years, and my experience with Phoenix Community Housing as a landlord has been extremely disappointing.
I went through Stage 1 and Stage 2 of their complaints process. While Stage 1 communication was reasonable, Stage 2 was very poor — long delays, no meaningful discussion with the investigator, missed deadlines, and key issues left unanswered. Compensation was only paid after repeated chasing, and even then it was initially not processed at all.
The main and ongoing issue is that the source of the rat ingress has never been properly investigated. This is not just my personal view. Both Lewisham Council pest control and Thames Water have indicated that an ongoing problem of this nature is likely coming from beneath the property, rather than just the loft or walls, and that the relevant pipework should be properly investigated.
Despite this, Phoenix arranged contractors who, instead of CCTV-inspecting the correct pipework under the house, concreted over the area, preventing proper inspection. This has left serious questions unanswered and does nothing to rule out cracked, leaking or damaged pipes or ongoing entry points. The root cause has still not been properly identified or fixed.
When the inspector attended to carry out the loft inspection, he did not actually inspect the loft. He briefly looked up and said there was too much insulation and that another appointment would need to be arranged for clearance before he could proceed. I am still waiting for that to be arranged. This is particularly frustrating given that pest control have previously been able to access the loft, yet a proper inspection by the landlord still hasn’t happened.
I also raised the issue of the area being concreted over, and was told that if something was found underneath the property it might mean lifting my laminate flooring. That response says everything — instead of properly investigating the cause, the focus seems to be on avoiding the work that might actually be needed.
I’ve had to deal with rats not just in the walls and loft, but inside my living spaces as well. They chewed through the wiring in my fridge, which meant I had to replace it at my own cost. I have filled some areas myself, and Phoenix have also filled some areas and even taken down and replaced part of my ceiling — but only after persistent chasing, repeated complaints, and even turning up at their office. None of this was proactive. It took months of pushing just to get basic action. Even now, this all feels like temporary patching rather than a proper solution — it’s only a matter of time before they chew back through into the living areas if the root cause isn’t properly dealt with.
Council pest control only puts down poison, which leads to rats dying in the structure and then fly infestations, so I’ve had to buy and manage my own traps to avoid making the situation worse. Even now, the issue is not truly resolved — only partially managed.
Phoenix may be good at community events and social initiatives, but as a landlord responsible for maintaining safe and habitable homes, my experience has been extremely poor. Problems have been covered over instead of properly investigated, and I’ve had to fight for basic accountability every step of the way.
This has been exhausting, stressful, and completely avoidable if the issue had been properly dealt with from the start.
2 lutego 2026
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