Properties can be in such a filthy condition they're harmful to health, for example where there's a large amount of rotting food or human or animal excrement. They can also be infested by vermin, such as rats, mice, disease-carrying insects or parasites. In some cases a considerable number of stored items (which can be identified as hoarding) can present a fire risk.
Properties defined as filthy or verminous are often associated with people who are no longer able to look after themselves. Access to the property can be difficult and present a risk to both the occupants and those living in neighbouring properties. Properties like these can present a risk to public health and cause distress to neighbours due to unpleasant smells, vermin or problems caused by poor repair.
Get help with hoarding
If you're concerned that someone has a significant hoarding problem and you're in a position to speak to them, check if they're okay and in need of help. Family members, their GP or Adult Social Care Services may be able to help. If you're unable to speak to the person or are being affected by their hoarding, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
Find further information on hoarding disorders on the NHS website
Report a filthy or verminous property
Under the provisions of the Public Health Acts (1936 and 1961), Environmental Protection Act 1990, Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 we're able to take action to help resolve issues. Such properties have to be dealt with sensitively and we will sometimes work in partnership with Adult and Community Services and other organisations.
Use the contact details at the bottom of this page to tell us about an issue with hoarding or a filthy or verminous property.
An Environmental Protection office will carry out an inspection of the property. We'll initially help the owner or occupier informally and notify additional government services if there's a need. If they fail to comply, we'll serve them with a statutory notice requiring the property to be thoroughly cleaned and all rubbish to be removed. If they do not comply with the requirements of this notice they may be prosecuted and/or we'll appoint a contractor to carry out the work and recover the costs from them.
The cleansing process is to remove the public health concern and will not deal with the appearance of a property or accumulations of material that's not a danger to health or a fire risk.
Report waste in a garden that's causing an odour or attracting vermin
Where issues are outside on private land we can investigate:
- large amounts of rotting waste
- waste that's causing an odour
- waste that's attracting vermin or flies
Use the contact details at the bottom of this page to report one of these issues to us. For insects infestations at commercial properties, see our insect investigation procedure.
We cannot investigate under statutory nuisance provisions:
- overgrown gardens
- rubble
- general visual eyesores
Where no rats or flies are being attracted but there's a detrimental impact on the area or quality of life of the community, you may be able to report the issue to planning enforcement. Before contacting planning enforcement about high hedges, read the guidance on complaining about high hedges on GOV.UK.
Invasive plants
For Japanese knotweed, see how to stop Japanese knotweed from spreading on GOV.UK. Management of invasive plants like Japanese knotweed is the responsibility of the landowner. It's not necessary to report its presence but it's important that it's controlled.
Accumulation of dog mess
Where dog mess has accumulated on a private garden or land we can investigate if it's causing a problem to neighbours, such as odour. We may investigate to see if it's a statutory nuisance, see our investigation procedure for more details. Different laws apply to fouling in public places.
Bird feeding and nesting
There are no laws to stop a person from feeding wild birds. We may be able to take action where significant amounts of rotten food waste is accumulating or that such bird feeding is the cause of an infestation of rats or mice.
We have no legal duty to control birds, including where their droppings or noise are causing a nuisance. All birds are protected by law, and you can find guidance on non-lethal controls from proofing to deterrents on the RSPB website.