Nobody wants to share their home with pests. They’re unpleasant, can spread disease, and can make it difficult to enjoy your space. We want all our homes to be safe, comfortable and pest-free.

We have a duty to make sure our homes are fit to live in, including being free from pests when you move in and throughout your tenancy. But residents also play an important role in preventing infestations and keeping them under control.

On this page you’ll find:

Who is responsible?

We will

  • Investigate infestations caused by the structure of the building.
  • Arrange treatment through our pest control contractor where appropriate.
  • Carry out repairs to block entry points once pests have been removed.
  • Advise you on next steps and any preventative measures.

You should

  • Treat infestations inside your home or garden if they’re not caused by a building defect.
  • Keep your home and garden tidy and free from items that might attract pests.
  • Let us know immediately if you spot holes in your home’s structure or pests in communal areas.
  • Allow access for inspections or treatments when required.

If you are a Shared owner or leaseholders, you’ll need to arrange pest control independently, but we will deal with any infestations in communal areas.

What to do if you spot pests

  • In your home: Report it to us straight away. If the problem is due to the building, we’ll take responsibility. If not, you’ll need to arrange treatment.
  • In communal areas (like stairwells, bin stores, lofts, car parks or lounges): Let us know so we can organise treatment.
  • In your garden: You’ll need to arrange removal or treatment yourself.

If you do need to report a pest infestation to us, you can do so by emailing myarea@havebury.com or by calling our Neighbourhood and Estates team on 0300 3300900 and entering extension number 7333 when prompted.

Common pests and what to do

Report them immediately if they’re inside your home or in communal areas. If caused by a building fault, we’ll treat the issue. Otherwise, you’ll need to arrange treatment.

We’ll deal with nests in communal areas or if they’re linked to a building fault. If the nest is in your home or garden, treatment is your responsibility.

Honeybees are protected by law. They should not be killed. Contact the British Beekeepers Association for safe removal.

Let us know straight away. You’ll also need to wash bedding at 60°C.

Report these to us as soon as you can so we can give you advise on what to do next

These would be your responsibility to treat, unless damp caused by the building is the reason. In that case, report it to us.

You are responsible for treating these. Flea treatment should cover both your home and any pets.

How you can prevent pests in your home

Prevention is always better (and cheaper) than cure. Follow these simple steps to keep pests at bay:

1. Don’t let them in

  • Report any holes or gaps in the structure of your home to us straight away.
  • Keep doors and windows closed where possible, or use screens.

2. Don’t feed them

  • Store food in sealed containers.
  • Clean up spills and crumbs quickly.
  • Put rubbish in sealed bags or bins, and don’t leave split bags in communal bin stores.
  • Feed birds using a bird table, putting food on the ground attracts vermin.

3. Don’t make them comfy

  • Keep your garden tidy and free from overgrown areas.
  • Don’t leave old furniture or rubbish lying around outside, contact your local council for bulky waste collection.

Report pest problems as soon as you notice them. The earlier we know, the quicker and easier they are to deal with.

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