it is when it’s on the bait hook of a mousetrap 
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You will not be loving mice if they chew thru your electric cable This is a shocking statement.
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That is a spot on comment.
The mice won’t take the bait if there are other food sources around.
not even if the mouse is female and it is chocolate?
Thank you everyone.
Tenant refuses to make any preparation for the inspection visit, so I just have to book it and hope for the best.
Should I contact the other two owner/occupiers in the building?
Did people use the Council (Barnet) services or any private company with good reviews?
Rats might, never really had a problem with mice. I used to shoot animals and thought it was ok then one day I realised how bad that was. I grew up on a farm where we killed animals but we always cared for them. We all have a place on this big rock Colin so please dont judge me and I won’t judge you
…electric cable - shocking statement, There’s definitely no need for sparks to fly on this particular thread.
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electric -shocking . Get it ? No? I lived in a farming community for 14 years . A farmer shot my cat and I now have a three legged cat . They are gun happy. Yet on the other hand , never leave you stranded for help ,either on the road or at home. Many happy days ,
Don’t use council services or rentokil they are expensive
Use an independent company and get quotes , prices do vary
Ask how many visits are included
It usually has two visits but they charge for 4!!!
That’s why it’s cheaper yourself
Before you spend this money
Check who is contractually responsible
These days this issue is defaulted to the tenant
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We have not heard from the mouse on this <There are two sides to every story .
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It is usually worth you as a landlord dealing with rats and mice quickly. Rats need to gnow on things constantly can chew through quite heavy cables and damage timbers n walls and ceiling.
Mice can very quickly multiply and become a large tribe that is difficult to deal with if left even a short time.
I personally would prefer to use traps as i have done at home - but most pest control firms will lay down poisoned bait station which can result in rats and mice dying in cavities followed by a bad smell and a plague of flies - it doesn’t last long - but does not make for happy tenants
But while I am happy to inspect and dispose of dead rats (or empty humane traps - though this is usually unhelpful a they usually renter your own or someone elses house!) - you always can’t rely on tenants to do that !
BUT I would also make clear that they have to do their own bit and make sure know food is left out or washing up left undone until the the problem is definitely over. and the kitchen is kept scrupulously clean. Remind you tenants that the rodents have a great sense to smell and are attracted to the smell of food left out or uncleaned food , and even if holes are existing blocked up wivan come back because they can gnaw new ones if they can smell food left on the on floor or surfaces.
I would say something like “I’ll do my bit but I can’t clean up your kitchen for you - you must also do your bit or I’ll be wasting my time and money”
However legally if the responsibility is not defined in the tenancy agreement it remains a moot point who is responsible for dealing with vermin - but you really don’t want to have the problem get worse and the tenant disappear leaving you with significant pest control before you can relet.
Yes I agree with the above, rat traps can freak tenants out, I have no problem disposing of dead mice but some people have phobias about it. That’s why you need to set up a camera first to know what you are dealing with because you need different traps for mice and rats. For mice, a simple snap trap or a plastic trap might be enough, but rats can survive these and can end up running around with a trap on their head, still completely alive. For sewer rats you need big powerful metal traps. So if you put out the wrong trap it can actually be worse as you can hear the rat thrashing around as it tries to escape the puny mouse trap.
I’d suggest you call pest control.
Especially at this time of the year Maisies will moving in.
We had a visit from a pest control, it’ll take less than 15mins depends on the building.
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I would personally do both of what you said.
Hire a pest control expert. And check what the tenants’ practices are around food hygiene.
I think the other responses Pooh Pooh ING the issue or referring to contract are naive. You have a statutory and probably common law obligation to the tenant to keep the property fit for human habitation. It may not be explicitly stated anywhere that this includes pest control but I feel it’s safest to assume it does.
Equally the tenant has contractual and statutory obligations to look after the property and also to play their part in ensuring their own health and safety.
Take it seriously and you’ll stay safe legally. Be seen by the tenant to take it seriously and you’ll maintain the relationship. Communicate clearly to the tenant as well as getting a good pest control person in and you should also have a healthier safer property and not be giving the tenant an excuse to withhold rent and otherwise play silly buggers.
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I’d use a good pest control company. I actually have a good guy I used in kilburn. I personally avoid councils because I assume they will tie it all up in red tape although I may be wrong.
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Its a single mouse. There is no suggestion of any more than a single mouse. I can’t believe anyone would actually employ a pest control company and order start installing cameras for a single mouse, without first trying simple mouse trap.
If the mouse trap is unsuccessful, I’d request the tenants then keep an eye out for any signs of the mouse still being there… eg droppings etc. The mouse may have left through the kitchen door as quickly as it arrived.
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Well yes, but nobody knows it is a mouse. 99% of people can’t tell difference. Problem with putting trap out is tenant will find it first. Some people completely freak out at sign of a dead animal.
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