A persistent rat infestation has forced residents of a Handsworth housing block in Birmingham to take unusual steps to protect their homes. Living in a block of maisonettes on Austin Road, tenants report swarms of fearless rodents invading communal bins, damaging vehicles, and even burrowing into their houses.
Among those affected is Charley Calland, who has resorted to stuffing Brillo pads, typically used for cleaning cookware, behind her toilet as a barrier to stop the rats from entering. “They’ve dug a hole through the meter outside and into my bathroom,” Ms Calland, 32, explained. “The housing association has attempted repairs, but the rats keep coming back. They don’t fall for bait boxes, and I can’t even hang my washing outside because they run through the laundry.”
Another resident, Bereket Tekeste, a construction worker and taxi driver, revealed he faced approximately £2,000 in repairs to his Toyota after rats chewed through the vehicle’s electrical wiring. Mr Tekeste, 46, who has lived on Austin Road since 2016, shared, “Sometimes the rats even come through the toilet. My house is clean, and I have used poison, but they still persist.”
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Other residents, including chef Josh Adjmul, 50, described the impact on their daily lives. “The place is infested by rats. They jump out in groups of three or four when I take the rubbish out. It’s so distressing that my grandchildren have been traumatised after rats jumped near them,” he said. Meanwhile, Kristy Cox, 29, recounted how her partner found the skull of a dead rat inside his car, highlighting the severity of the problem.
The affected residents are appealing to Midland Heart, the housing association responsible for the properties, to implement stronger measures such as filling in the many rat holes around the complex.
In response, Midland Heart acknowledged the issue, stating: “We understand our tenants’ concerns about rat activity in the area and have taken several steps to investigate and respond. A specialist pest control officer has carried out multiple rounds of treatment in and around our properties on Austin Road and continues to monitor the situation closely.”
The association also emphasised that the problem is part of a larger environmental concern worsened by ongoing waste and refuse management challenges across Birmingham. “We are working closely with Birmingham City Council and specialist contractors to support a longer-term solution while continuing to respond to concerns raised by our tenants,” they added.
Residents remain hopeful that their appeals will lead to effective action to eliminate the infestation and restore peace to their community.