Ratflation - councils spend record amounts on infestations

Local councils in the UK spent £40 million last year battling pest infestations like rats, mice, cockroaches and bedbugs - a rising problem some are calling ‘ratflation’.

New analysis from Direct Line Home Insurance shows that councils made almost 300,000 pest control visits to people’s homes in 2024. That’s 3% more than in 2023, and 9% more than in 2022.

Worryingly, bedbug infestations are up 35% over the last two years. And councils are now responding to an extra 52 rat or mouse callouts every day compared to 2022.

Maria Lawrence from Direct Line said: “More and more people are facing an I’m a Celebrity trial in their own home, coming face to face with cockroaches and rats. Infestations can not only cause huge damage to people’s homes – they also pose a huge health hazard.”

What to do if you have pests in your council or housing association home

If you live in a council or housing association property and spot signs of a pest problem (droppings, scratching noises, bites, or sightings), here’s what you should do:

Report it straight away

Contact your local authority’s housing or pest control team. You can usually do this online or by phone.
Most councils will send someone to inspect the problem and may offer free or low-cost treatment, especially if it’s linked to the structure of the building (like broken drains or holes in walls).

Keep a record

Take photos or videos of what you’ve seen. Keep copies of emails or letters you send and receive. This will help if you need to chase things up later.

Ask your landlord to act

If you live in a housing association home, contact the association directly. They have a legal responsibility to keep your home safe and suitable for living in.

Know your rights

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, landlords must make sure homes are free from serious hazards. That includes pest infestations. If your landlord refuses to help, you can complain to the Housing Ombudsman or speak to Citizens Advice for support.

Get extra help if needed

If the infestation is affecting your health or mental wellbeing, talk to your GP or organisations like Mind and ReThink.

You may also be able to get help from your local council through local welfare provision or the household support fund. Or check out Turn2Us to see if you qualify for a charity grant.

Make sure you’re claiming all the financial support you’re entitled to by using our free benefit checker.