Housing provider apologises after rats ‘ruined Christmas’ for young families

A housing provider in Maidenhead has apologised for a slew of rat-related problems in one of its properties that ‘ruined Christmas’ for residents.

Jason Dunn lives in Arun House in Kidwells Close, which is run by Riverside housing association (formerly One Housing).

Speaking to the Advertiser in December, he said: “For the last few months all residents in Arun House have been to hell and back. We all live in fear for our lives.”

Among the problems are flammable cladding on the  outside of the building and rats ‘in the walls and ceilings, which ‘chew, scratch and run around all night’ and are also gnawing the electrics.

On top of this, Jason, who has four young children, has seen white goods, the TV and other electrical items broken as a result.

The problems forced them into emergency accommodation, Jason said, as well as causing severe stress and mental health problems.

He is not the only one having these problems.

A neighbour, Shanice Carr, has had similar struggles.

The problems began before Christmas, when she was six months pregnant. She also has a one-year-old, a seven-year-old with additional needs and a 12-year-old.

Speaking in December, she said: “The rats chewed through our fridge/freezer, toaster and some of my children’s Christmas, presents as well as eating through our entire Christmas food shop and snacks.  We have been left with nothing. My children deserve a decent Christmas like anyone else.”

She added: “During this time we were also left for five days with no hot water or heating, which caused me and my daughter to become very ill due to the temperature drop and flat being freezing.

“My middle child is now too scared to return home, is finding it really hard and is not sleeping.”

They have had ‘very little help’ from Riverside, she added.

“I have had to pay for a hotel out my own pocket as the housing association have refused to put us anywhere.”

Catching up with the Advertiser last Friday (January 2) she said the problems are ‘very much ongoing’, with her household still waiting on pest control, the boiler not working, the family still in a hotel and ‘no closer to being able to go home’, plus an additional problem – water leaks.

“I’ve been left in limbo again with no one responding to my calls,” Shanice said.

A spokesperson for Riverside said: “We are very sorry some residents have experienced issues with rodents at Arun House.

“Our appointed pest control contractors have been carrying out visits to the affected properties and communal areas.

“Where needed, contractors have carried out baiting and rodent proofing works to block access points and installing steel mesh around the exterior to prevent pests from entering the building. We are making follow-up visits to monitor progress.

“We are also continuing to support residents, including helping affected properties prepare for follow-up inspections.

“We understand how disruptive incidents like this can be and are doing all we can to fully resolve the issue.”

Riverside encourages all affected residents to contact Riverside’s 24/7 Customer Service team with any concerns.

On the cladding issue, the spokesperson said its contractor has been on site and plans ‘essential’ cladding remediation works beginning January 12.