'Inhumane conditions' in Tottenham flats amid mice infestation

One child who lives in the block of flats was admitted to hospital after exposure to mice excrement, reports Olivia Opara

Residents of a Tottenham apartment block have said they are stuck in “inhumane conditions” as a result of a mice infestation in their block.

Occupants of Ermine House near White Hart Lane said they have been living with a mice and rat infestation throughout the apartment block since February this year – and are now concerned that the pest problem may be negatively impacting their own and young children’s health.

Claudia (who wished to use a different name to protect her identity) told HCP that most residents have already complained to Haringey Council about “inhumane living conditions”, but the council have told them that “there is nothing it can do”.

Claudia said: “You can hear the mice in the walls and I have found dead ones under my baby’s cot. The council does not care because they are not doing anything about it – they send pest control and all they do is put down poison to try to kill them mice and rats but that’s it.

“[The council] expects us to live like this – there are mice droppings and piss everywhere and it’s bad because I have a toddler and a baby.”

Mice and rats have been seen running around the block, possibly attracted by communal bins near the main door to the building.

Claudia also told HCP that she first reported the issue when it started in February but pest control did not come until June because “they were back dated”. Since then, pest control has visited the block multiple times but the issue still remains.

“My neighbour keeps catching mice and it has impacted the mental health of the residents,” said Claudia.

“When I gave birth, I couldn’t settle and I had to go and stay at a relative’s house and I was like, ‘I just gave birth, I should be in a routine and settled’ but I couldn’t even do that. It was disgusting.”

Another resident, Ann (who also wished to use a different name) told HCP that she decided to “take it upon herself” to sort out the issue by putting down traps, but the problem still has not been resolved. She said that in just one week she caught five mice.

Ann also told HCP that both her children have asthma and that the youngest has been getting ill more frequently.

She said: “I didn’t think anything of it at the time until I noticed that my child was needing their asthma pump more than they should and having respiratory issues.

“It just worries me because both my children have asthma and I am worried that this will trigger my oldest child’s asthma. I am trying to get pest control to come and do whatever they need to do.”

Ann has had to book emergency appointments for her child after finding out that mice and rat urine and droppings can worsen asthma symptoms. Likewise, one of Claudia’s children has had to be admitted to hospital recently for tightness of chest due to being exposed to mice urine and faeces.

“They need to get rid of the mice, they need to do something – and for residents with kids, they need to rehouse them,” said Mary.

“Does someone have to die for [the council] to take us seriously? These are very bad conditions for children to live in.”

Sarah Williams, cabinet member for housing services, private renters and planning, said: “We are sorry to hear about the issue residents are facing, which we are taking very seriously.

“Our pest control team have investigated, identified the problem, and treated a small number of affected areas at Ermine House over the last few months.

“We have been unable to undertake a treatment of one property because of a resident’s concerns over baiting. Baiting is the only method of pest control that we have found to be effective. We would like to reassure residents that we always use tamperproof bait boxes and install bait stations in areas inaccessible to vulnerable members of a household.

“There is currently no evidence this is a widespread problem at Ermine House but will investigate further as a matter of urgency to assess if a wider baiting programme is required.”

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