Who is responsible for rats in drains?

Drains are safe havens for all kinds of animals, offering shelter, food, and water. So, the adult rat’s ability to fit through a horizontal gap as tiny as 12mm is particularly useful in penetrating your drainage system. From there, they can rampage through your home, even popping up in unexpected places like your toilet bowl

If you’ve noticed nasty odours, unusual noises, and slow drainage, you could have an infestation. Rats can cause multiple problems, chewing through your pipes and causing untold damage to your property. 

Any infestation needs to be dealt with fast, but who’s responsible if you suspect you have rats in your pipes?

Who is responsible if rats get into your drains?

Finding out you have rats in your drains can be unsettling and could rapidly develop into a nightmare without swift action. Tackling the problem effectively means identifying where your intruders came from. But does the issue lie in your drains or the public sewers? And are you still responsible if you rent, not own?

Shared-drain properties

If you’re a homeowner, you must establish where the infestation is coming from. If you suspect you have a rat problem, a CCTV drain survey can help pinpoint the source of the infestation. 

If the rats are confined to your private drain system, you’re responsible for having them removed by a professional pest control contractor. On the other hand, if the rats are coming from the public sewers, your local water company needs to take charge.

Businesses and commercial spaces

If you own a business or commercial space and have a pest control problem in your drains, we recommend checking the terms of your lease to see who is responsible. Generally, it’s the tenant’s responsibility to take necessary action.

Is my landlord responsible?

If you’re a tenant, you should report any rat problems to your landlord or property management company as quickly as possible. You’re not responsible for dealing with the problem, but early detection is vital. Landlords are legally obligated to keep their properties — and drains — free from pests like rats.

Image showing rat in grass

How common are rats in drains?

If you’ve found rats in your drains, you’re not alone. According to recent research, there are around 1.6 million rats living in public sewers, and they are responsible for a huge percentage of drain issues. It’s a surprisingly common problem, but there are some straightforward preventative measures you can take to make your drains less attractive to invaders:

  • Never put food waste down the drain. Instead, dispose of it in secure rubbish bins, never on an open compost heap.
  • Regularly check your pipes for holes or cracks and use a rat-proof filler such as steel wool and cement.
  • Install rat-proof plastic or metal drain covers.
  • Keep your garden tidy and free of debris that attracts rats. 

What’s the best way to check drains for rats?

A CCTV survey by professionals is hands-down the best way to check your drains for rats. Our cameras can trace the source of the infestation by identifying any cracks or holes in your pipes. This will show where rodents are getting into your drainage system.

We can also detect any damage the rats may have caused and deliver a full report for your peace of mind.

How to get rid of rats in drains

At Drain 365, we focus on removing the rat’s nest humanely and then permanently eliminating the problem by installing rat blockers. This is a no-dig solution that causes minimal disruption to your property or day-to-day activities.

Rat blockers and patches for drains are a highly effective way to prevent rats from entering your drains and establishing a nest. We use the Re-Tec rat patch as a humane, permanent solution.

Stop rats in their tracks with Drain365

If you’ve spotted the warning signs of rats in your drains, don’t panic. At Drains365, we can help with drainage emergencies in London and across the south-east. Take a look at the list of locations we cover for more information.

Contact us today, and we’ll find a permanent solution to your drain dilemmas.