Man forced out of flat after rodent 'infestation'

John Waterworth claims he has caught a number of rodents, which appear to be rats, in his flat

A man says he has been forced out of his flat for a month after his home was "invaded" by rodents.

John Waterworth, 58, claimed he had caught 12 such animals inside his rented property in the Blackmore Drive estate in Braunstone, Leicester.

He said he was woken up one night in January to see vermin "racing across the bedroom floor".

Leicester City Council, which rents out the property, said they had paid for treatment to be carried out at the flat.

Mr Waterworth, 58, says he has been tackling the rodent problem at his flat

Mr Waterworth has been living with a friend for the past month due to the rodent problem.

He said the "infestation" had left him feeling "anxious and distressed".

"I feel violated because at the end of the day it's probably like when somebody gets burgled because somebody is invading your space," he added.

"You want to feel comfortable in your own home, it's your castle."

Leicester City Council said it had paid for treatment to be carried out

Mr Waterworth employed a private pest control company, due to what he claimed to be a "lack of action by Leicester City Council".

The company found droppings and started putting poison and traps down for the vermin.

"I've asked the council to do a loft survey and also to do a drain survey," he said.

"I called them yesterday, it took me 55 minutes. I've asked three times in the past three weeks."

A city council spokesperson said Mr Waterworth reported his concerns in March.

“Investigations have been carried out and so far, these have found mice in the block but no evidence of rats," they said.

"We have paid for treatment to be carried out and this is ongoing.

"Follow-up visits will be taking place to ensure that this has been effective."