(Image: Newsquest)
A woman claims she is living with a “rat infestation” in her home.
Joanne Lawes, who lives on Owlet Road in Windhill, has raised concerns about ongoing pest problems in her Incommunities property since moving in on October 31, 2023.
She said: "I have a rat infestation.
"I know the place is infested.
"I’ve seen them in my kitchen.
"They’re coming up from the floorboards and they’ve eaten the carpet."
The housing association told the T&A that it understands how distressing pest issues can be and take reports seriously.
A device used to catch rats has been installed at Ms Lawes' home (Image: Newsquest)
'I’ve had to live with rats'
Ms Lawes said she has reported the issue repeatedly since she moved in, but does not believe enough has been done to resolve it.
She said: "I’ve been here since October 31, 2023.
"In those three years, I’ve had to live with rats.
"This has gone on since I moved in, and I’ve reported it since I’ve been here.
"Incommunities are not interested.
"They’ve come here shining a torch.
"All they’ve done is put rat bait down."
What Incommunities said
A spokesperson for the housing association said: "We understand how distressing pest problems can be for customers.
"When concerns are raised, our teams investigate and arrange appropriate pest-control treatment and any necessary repairs to help address the issue.
"Where problems persist, we continue to work with customers to identify the cause and consider what further action may be needed."
Ms Lawes says she has put down duct tape to try and keep rats from getting into her home (Image: Newsquest)
'I want to move out'
Ms Lawes has asked to be rehoused due to the infestation, but says her request has not been granted.
She said: "I’ve told them I want out.
"All I want to do is move from here.
"I want out of this problem and I want out of this property.
"But I can’t get a move from here."
Incommunities explained that rehousing requests are handled through Bradford Council’s housing allocations process.
The spokesperson said: "Requests for rehousing are considered through Bradford Council’s housing allocations process, which prioritises those in greatest need."
In a separate case, Incommunities said its pest-control team visited another resident's property 14 times between September 2025 and January 2026 before closing the case after seven visits found no evidence of rats.
Ms Lawes says she is still frustrated by the situation.
She said: "There is all sorts wrong with the property.
"I don’t want to have to go through another winter here in the freezing cold.
"I’m sick of it."