Colchester carer blasts landlord's 'inaction' over rodent infestation

Frederick Spurgeon, 85, known to friends as ‘Buster’, abandoned his bedroom and slept on his two-seater sofa after the stench of dead rodents became too much.

Mr Sturgeon, who is battling prostate cancer and various disabilities, has been looked after by a carer since September last year.

The carer, who asked not to be named, said she is “disgusted” by the delay from landlord Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) in dealing with a rat infestation at his home in Savill Road, Colchester.

“In May, I reported to CBH repairs department a hole inside the airing cupboard of his bungalow,” she said.

“I had emptied the cupboard that was filled with old curtains, towels and clothes and discovered lots of shredded items towards the bottom of the pile.

“I assumed it was mice and rats and reported it as a repair. After continued calls to the landlord and one of their contractors, nobody came to fill the hole.

“Two weeks ago, my client was happily watching TV when the airing cupboard door opened.

“To his surprise a rat scurried to the middle of the room and sat staring at him.”

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Mr Spurgeon struck the rat with his walking stick, killing it.

His carer said CBH sent out Colchester Council’s Environmental Health department, which laid rat poison in the cupboard.

But after a week, a stench developed in the bungalow emanating from underneath the floorboards.

The carer said both CBH and Environmental Health had refused to visit the property to remove dead rats.

He said: “They have refused to come out, leaving this man living with the stench of dead rats, he is sleeping on his two-seater sofa as the smell is making him nauseous.”

The carcass of a rat killed by Mr Spurgeon on his property

She said Mr Spurgeon had also spotted rats emerging from his drain, even using a hose to push one rodent back down.

She said: "When I phoned CBH, again they said ‘speak to Environmental Health’.

"They said it would be Anglian Water if they are coming from the drain. 

“It is dreadful treatment shown to my client by his landlord, it’s not good enough.

“Still no-one will agree to investigate the smell and removal of dead carcasses.”

She said after repeated pressure, CBH had agreed to fill the hole in Mr Spurgeon’s airing cupboard – but not until July 25.

Following a request for comment by the Gazette, a Colchester Borough Homes spokesman said the repairs would be made "as a matter of priority".

He said: “We are aware of a rat infestation at Mr Spurgeon’s home.

"Following a visit by the council’s Environmental Health team when bait was laid, we will also attend the property as a matter of priority to ensure all entry points are blocked and assist with the removal of dead rodents, should any be found.”