Birmingham Nan's Home Infested: Rat Carcasses Fall Through Ceiling
A Birmingham grandmother has spoken out about her daily "hell" living with a severe rat infestation that has caused carcasses to leak through the ceiling of her bungalow. Carole Parton, aged 62, says she has been dealing with the pest problem at her Manston Road property in Sheldon for the past three-and-a-half years, but claims Birmingham City Council has failed to resolve the issue effectively.
Years of Neglect and Health Concerns
Mrs Parton explains that the rodents are exacerbating a string of health problems already suffered by herself and her husband Robert, 67, who reside in the one-bedroom bungalow. "This is living in hell and nobody is helping us," she said. "With my illnesses and my husband's illnesses, we can't put up with it anymore. We feel as if we are being neglected and that we don't exist unless we have to pay bills."
Despite living at the address for five years, problems first began in 2022 when they noticed sounds coming from the loft. Initially thought to be squirrels, her grandson discovered rat droppings during an inspection. Since then, the council has sent pest control teams multiple times, deploying rat bait, but the rodents persist, infiltrating wall cavities, the kitchen, and even under the bath.
Health Crisis and Sleepless Nights
The infestation has taken a severe toll on Mrs Parton's health. During the coronavirus pandemic, she became "really ill" with grey skin and purple lips, visiting her GP who suspected Well's Disease from fluids oozing through the ceiling from decomposing rat bodies. "I explained to her what was happening and she said, 'You have probably got Well's disease.' I pulled through that and ended up getting Covid," she recounted.
The rodents also cause sleepless nights, with Mrs Parton lying awake knowing "where the rats were coming from." The noise in the attic is so loud that it kept her sister awake during a visit from Bristol. "It was like they had football boots on and they were playing football with my baubles," she described, referring to her Christmas decorations stored there.
Ongoing Struggles and Council Response
Mrs Parton suffers from bronchitis, COPD, asthma, and a slipped disc, while her husband has stents in his heart, Alzheimer's disease, chronic angina, high blood pressure, and scoliosis. Despite being in Band A, the highest priority for housing, she has faced difficulties bidding for new council properties and remains stuck in the infested home.
In response, a spokesperson for Birmingham City Council stated: "We are aware of the concerns raised by the residents at this address and have been working with them over a period of time. We have recently carried out treatment and preventative works at the property. As part of this work, entry points have been sealed, and no further rat activity or new repair issues have been reported."
The council added that the household is in Band A and has received bidding guidance, with housing officers discussing rehousing options. "We remain committed to helping them move to a suitable home, aligned with the specific locations and property types they prefer," the spokesperson concluded.
