Oldham cancer survivor's 11-year mice infestation in rental home

Angel Adiuvat said he and his neighbours have been struggling with the pest problem in and around their homes for 11 years. 

Pearl Mill Close, near Alexandra Park, is owned and managed by Regenda Homes and is surrounded by land owned by the council.

Mr Adiuvat, who has survived cancer and struggles with autism, lives in one of the homes with his partner and says fly-tipping is a repeated issue on the council land, and that he believes mice have been attracted to the site because of this problem.

The 30-year-old said he has been complaining to Regenda for "years". He has also complained to the council about the fly-tipping.

Images on Google Maps show mattresses, rubbish bags and litter on land areas that surround the back of the houses on Pearl Mill close.  

Fly tipping on the land near Pearl Mill Close (Image: Google)

Mr Adiuvat said: "People know what's going on.

"I've had cancer and had to live and deal with mice while trying to recover and while having autism and having no help really from the council in the area or to deal with issues."

Sharing pictures and videos with The Oldham Times of the extent of the issue, he said he has been finding mouse droppings around his home, including in his bathroom and even in his bed on one occasion.

In a complaint to Regenda Homes in June 2023, Mr Adiuvat said: "Ten years I've had this suffering, I've had about enough now.

"The whole flat needs sterilising if I'm to stay here- droppings under kitchen units, under the bath, in the bedroom, attic and cupboards. 

"I'm sick of it. I'm going to end up ill or with hantavirus."

Hantaviruses cause "clinical illness in humans of varying severity" in people after contact with rodents such as rats and mice, especially their saliva, urine and droppings, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

They can cause symptoms such as breathing difficulty, nausea and vomiting, fever, body and head aches and abdominal pain.

Satellite images showing what looks to be fly tipping in the land behind Pearl Mill Close (Image: Google)

In response, a Regenda Homes spokesperson said: "We take all reports of pest issues seriously and have acted upon every request and complaint made by Mr Adiuvat regarding the rodent issues at Pearl Mill.

"We have worked with Oldham Council to address the fly-tipping in the surrounding area and have also implemented baiting and proofing measures across all properties.

"In November 2023, we attempted to fit a mesh to Mr Adiuvat’s property to block potential rodent access, however, we were unable to gain access.

"Despite these challenges, we remain committed to resolving this issue.

"Until last week, we hadn’t received any further contact from Mr Adiuvat since November 2023.

"Following Mr Adiuvat’s most recent contact, we responded within 24 hours and have put a plan in action that includes moving Mr Adiuvat into temporary accommodation whilst we further investigate and complete any works required."

Regenda has moved Mr Adiuvat and his partner to accommodation in the Travelodge hotel in Chadderton, and he says he is "dreading" going back to his home. 

In response to the fly-tipping, a council spokesperson added: "We have now logged this fly-tipping incident.

"Enforcement staff will now visit the site and look to see if we can find any evidence linking the waste to an individual or business.

"If we do then we will take action. The waste will be cleared.

"Over the last few years our Don’t Trash Oldham teams, and volunteers, have worked hard to clean up the borough, but there are still a tiny minority of people who think it is ok to dump waste.

"We would urge anyone who witnesses or sees fly-tipping to report it via the council website so we can investigate."