Selling a house with rodents: a guide

Need to sell a house with rodents? Read House Buyer Bureau’s guide for expert advice, selling options, and fast solutions. Discover how to sell quickly. Start today.

Selling a house with rodents

Trying to sell your house is stressful enough without the added worry of furry intruders. Whether it’s mice in the loft or rats in the garden, rodents can make selling your property more a challenge than it already is. Not only can they cause damage and health concerns, but they can also put buyers off and even lower the value of your home. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options, read on to find out what you can do.

How to know if you have mice or other rodents

Rodents aren’t always easy to spot, especially if they’ve only just moved in. Some of the biggest signs to look out for are:

Droppings
Small, dark pellets left in cupboards, along skirting boards, or in loft spaces.
Gnaw marks
Rodents chew on wood, wires, and even pipes.
Scratching sounds
Particularly at night, inside walls or ceilings.
Nests
Made from shredded paper, insulation, or fabric.
Grease marks
Rodents leave oily smears along their regular routes.

If you notice one or more of these, you may have rodents in your house.

What damage can rodents cause in a property?

Rodents can cause surprising amounts of damage in a short space of time:

Contaminated food, cupboards and surfaces
Chewed electrical wiring, which can pose a fire hazard
Structural issues if they burrow through walls or loft insulation

Beyond the physical damage, the idea of having rodents living in the walls is often enough to put off potential buyers. If a surveyor flags the issue, read our guide on how to deal with a bad house survey to understand your options

Is it safe to live in a house with rats?

Living in a house with rats isn’t considered safe. Rats (and mice too, but to a lesser extent) can carry diseases like leptospirosis, salmonella and hantavirus, and they can contaminate surfaces and food, making it unhygienic for you and anyone else you live with.

How much does it cost to have rats removed?

The cost of professional pest control depends on how severe the infestation is, as well as the size of the property. Rat removal services typically range from £180 to £230+ for a course of treatments. DIY options like traps and poison may be cheaper, but they don’t always deal with the root cause.

Can you sell a house with rodents?

Yes, you can sell a house with rodents, but buyers will likely be reluctant, surveys will flag the problem, and you might find that the buyer wants to negotiate a lower price. Not disclosing it is one of the most common mistakes when selling a property.

Do you have to declare rats when selling a house?

When selling a property in the UK, you’re asked to complete a TA6 Property Information Form, which includes questions about pests. If you know you have, or have had in the past, a rodent problem, you’re legally obliged to declare it. Failing to do so could cause legal issues later if the buyer discovers the problem after moving in. For a full breakdown of obligations, see our guide on what to declare when selling a house.

Is it illegal to sell a house with rodents?

It isn’t illegal to sell a house that has rodents, but you must be transparent about the issue. As long as you disclose the problem honestly, you’re within your rights to sell. But, you should expect that most buyers will want any kind of infestation dealt with before they’ll complete the purchase.

How much do rodents devalue a house?

Problems with rats or other rodents can make a property less appealing and, in some cases, reduce its market value. How badly they’ll devalue your house will depend on:

How bad the infestation is
How much damage the pests have caused
Whether the problem’s been resolved or not
How willing the buyer is to take on remedial work

It’s not unusual for rodent issues to knock 5–20% off the asking price, particularly if expensive repairs are needed.

Is it hard to sell a house with rodents?

Traditional sales through an estate agent can be particularly difficult if your home has rodents. Buyers may

Pull out after surveys reveal the issue
Refuse to proceed until you fix the problem
Reduce their offer

This can lead to delays, extra costs and collapsed sales. Read our guide on why house sales fall through and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

Sell your house with rodents fast with House Buyer Bureau

If you don’t want the stress of fixing the issue, waiting for pest control or risking a sale falling through, there is another option. Here at House Buyer Bureau, we buy houses in any condition, even those with rodent problems.
Homeowners choose us because we offer a guaranteed sale for a fair price agreed upfront, with no risk of buyers backing out, completion in a timescale that suits you (as little as 7 days), and we’ll cover your legal fees if you use one of our recommended solicitors.

If rats or other rodents are standing between you and your house sale, we can help you move forward quickly and stress-free. Get in touch with our friendly team today for your free, no-obligation cash offer.

Chris

Chris has worked in property all his career, first as a successful estate agent before spotting a gap in the market for buying property directly from people looking for a simple, quick sale.

He has a passion for property and as an experienced valuer, has looked at well over 50,000 properties so far at HBB. He has extensive experience in property buying and regularly comments in the press on property matters, trends and promotes ways to simplify and speed up the selling process.

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