Who is Responsible for Rats in Drains?

Unwelcome visitors in your drains are not only unnerving, but they’re also a real health risk. But who is responsible for rats in drains? The short answer is that it depends on where the issue lies. If it’s a fault in the public sewer, it’s down to the water company, but if the fault lies on your property, it’s up to you to sort the problem out.

Whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner or a landlord, if you have rats in your drains – and it’s a year-round problem in the UK, no matter who you are – then take a look at our guide. At Express Drainage Surveys, we’ll walk you through the identification of the problem, understanding your legal obligations and the definitive steps you should take to get rid of the infestation. All you have to do is read below.

Why rats in drains are more than just a nuisance

The BPCA reported this year on the rising rat populations, largely due to rapid urbanisation. That basically means that more density of people equals more rats, because we present them with shelter, nesting sites and plenty of readily available food.

But you’re no doubt aware of this if you’ve landed here, with rats in your drains, wondering where to turn. That’s smart, because rats present a risk of disease, spreading bacteria through their urine and faeces, as well as their blood, saliva and body hair. There are so many viruses transmitted by rats that it’s too long a list to go into here, but suffice to say that you’ll want the problem dealt with swiftly.

That’s why we offer a rat detection drain survey, helping you get to the bottom of any issues in your drains as quickly as possible.

Understanding UK drain ownership

Knowing who is responsible for rats in drains here in the UK means understanding who owns which section of pipe. To assign responsibility, you first need to understand the different parts of the drain:

Private drains are pipes on your property that carry wastewater away and towards the local sewer system. These are your responsibility if they are subject to a rat infestation.
Lateral drains are pipes that connect multiple properties’ private drains, taking wastewater away towards the sewer together. As they are usually outside your property boundary, they are the responsibility of the water company when subject to rat issues.
Public sewers are the larger, shared network serviced by regional water companies. So if they’re the cause of the rat issue, it’s down to them to deal with it.

Not sure exactly what is causing the problem or allowing rats to enter the system? Don’t worry, our CCTV survey equipment can help you get to the bottom of any drainage issue.

When the homeowner is responsible

If the rats in your drains are there due to an issue at your property, it’s your legal responsibility to deal with them. Property owners are obliged by law to keep their premises free from vermin.

That means you can’t ignore the signs. Clear scenarios of rats in the drain being the homeowner’s responsibility include:

Where a cracked or broken pipe within your property boundary is allowing rats in
Where damaged or poorly maintained inspection chambers on your land are being used by rats
Where a redundant pipe left from previous building work is left unsealed for rats to use
Where tree root damage has compromised your drains and been exploited by vermin

When the local water authority is responsible

Similarly, water companies have a legal obligation to ensure the public sewer network is properly maintained. This means it’s their responsibility to deal with rats if it’s a result of any of the following:

Cracked or collapsed portions of the main public street sewer
Defective lateral drains that connect your property to the main sewer
Infestations in the wider sewer system due to widespread damage

These are just a few of the reasons rats might be appearing in your drains as a result. But water companies may not act without sufficient evidence. That’s why a professionally conducted CCTV drainage survey can help, highlighting that your private drains are sound, and therefore that the problem lies with the authority’s assets.

Landlords, tenants and rented properties

Often, it’s a more complicated, three-way street when it comes to rented properties.

Landlords have a legal duty to keep the structure of the property in good condition, meaning it should be free from hazards like vermin. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 also covers this. So any rat infestation originating from a defect like a broken drain means the landlord should be responsible for fixing it.

A tenant, likewise, also has a duty to inform their landlord if they suspect issues as soon as possible. They are also liable for the cost of dealing with any pests, such as rats, if it is caused by their own lifestyle and habits. This includes poor rubbish disposal practices that attract vermin, or if they cause blockages by flushing inappropriate items down toilets or drains.

How to know if you have rats in your drain: a checklist

Here is a quick checklist of things to be vigilant for or to confirm your initial suspicions:

Sounds: including scratching, gnawing or scurrying noises
Smells: persistent ammonia-like odours or the smell of dead animals
Sights: rat droppings, gnaw marks, nesting material or physical sighting of rats
Drainage issues: including slow draining sinks, toilets and showers or gurgling plug holes

Take control of your drains with Express Drainage Surveys

Responsibility for rats in drains is determined by where the drainage defect lies. That’s why it’s crucial to have an expert, reliable drainage company on your side. At Express Drainage Surveys, we know how stressful it can be if you find signs of rats, but we have a number of services to help you take care of your drains. Whether you need evidence of how rats are entering the system or you want to get rid of a blockage causing unsanitary conditions that attract vermin, look no further:

Contact us today if you suspect an issue and get the definitive answers you need to stop rats from taking over your property via your drains. We offer free estimates and a rapid response to help you pinpoint the problem with a full report when you use our rat detection drain surveys.