Rat-infested home gave special needs teacher bacterial disease that can kill
A woman whose home became infested with rats and has not been able to live there for five weeks has caught a disease that can kill.
A special needs teacher, who did not want to be named and lives in Sutherland Street, Pimlico, was diagnosed with Weil’s disease after her home has been infested with rats for three months.
The disease comes from infection through rat urine and can cause failure of the liver, kidneys and heart if not treated.
The teacher said she had been complaining to her landlord, Peabody, for months but they would not help clear the infestation and failed to attend three appointments.
She claimed a Peabody customer service agent told her that “rats are not an emergency”.
She said: “Having been exposed to rats running across, urinating and defecating all over my kitchen I stopped cooking or having meals in mid-May 2022.
“Hearing rats scratching and biting the items in my kitchen units (day and night) soon affected my sleep patterns, consequently causing high anxiety and insomnia – my bed is one metre away from the kitchen.
“Tiredness, anxiety and sleep deprivation have also gravely affected my professional life: on several occasions, I have been compelled to cancel tuition sessions.
“[I am] unable to emotionally withstand the rat-related stress exacerbated by my landlord’s absolute dismissal of my cry for help.”
The teacher said in mid-June this year she began suffering high fever, a “splitting” headache, nausea and rashes.
After telling her doctor about the rat infestation they prescribed medication for Weil’s disease.
A pest control company visited the property on three occasions in May and June this year and confirmed that the place is unfit for human habitation, which Ms Copeland claims Peabody were aware of.
A Peabody spokesman said: “We are aware of the issue at this address and are sorry for the distress caused. We will be fitting a new kitchen and carrying out other proofing works to eradicate the problem.
“While there was a regrettable delay in our initial response, for which we apologise, we have been corresponding with the customer and are keen to agree a schedule for the repairs and arrange access to her home as soon as possible to undertake the work.
“We have also offered to provide her with hotel accommodation and safe storage of her belongings.”
Pictured top: Rat droppings in the kitchen unit (Picture: Handout)
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