‘I’m scared rats are going to eat my Christmas dinner’
James Solan, a 63-year-old Oldham resident, is experiencing severe distress due to a rat infestation in his housing association property on Terrace Street, which he claims has been ongoing for months. He fears the rodents will contaminate his food, particularly with Christmas approaching, and is experiencing sleep deprivation and ill health as a result. First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) states they were first notified in October and have taken steps including pest control treatments and working with Oldham Council, attributing the issue to a neighbouring property. FCHO maintains they are committed to resolving the problem and are in communication with Mr. Solan.
Terrace Street Pensioner Faces Christmas with Rats as Infestation Nightmare Drags On
James Solan hasn’t had a proper night’s sleep in months. The 63-year-old pensioner lies awake in his Terrace Street home, startled by scratching and banging sounds from his attic as rats scurry through his housing association property.
“I’m on edge all the time,” Solan says, his voice weary. “It’s absolutely horrendous.” The infestation, which began nearly a year ago, has left the longtime resident fearing he’ll spend Christmas in a house overrun by rodents. “I’m worried they’re going to get to my food. If they’ve nibbled at it, you can’t eat it. I can’t afford to replace it, so I’d starve.”
Solan, who has lived in the First Choice Homes Oldham property for 47 years, says the problem has escalated dramatically. “If you look through the window at night, you can see them outside,” he explains, adding that the pests have now invaded his kitchen. “All my cereal boxes were on the floor the other day.”
The housing association claims they first learned of the issue in October, when staff visited the property and an environmental officer placed poison and traps. They attribute the infestation to a neighbouring property and say they’ve funded pest control treatments while working toward a “speedy solution.” However, Solan insists he’s made dozens of complaints over many months.
“I’m not a well man,” he says. “I could do without all the stress. I feel sick all the time. I’m not sleeping. I just want it to stop.”
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