Squatting squirrels keep woman awake at night

A woman is pleading with her housing provider to rid her home of a group of squirrels that have been keeping her awake for several years.

Victoria Kubis, who rents her house in Penhaligans Close, Chellaston, Derby, says the animals have been causing a nuisance in her roof space since 2022.

Derby Homes, which owns the property, said it was working to resolve the issue.

But Ms Kubis said the provider was failing in its duty to provide her with secure accommodation.

She told BBC Radio Derby: "They chew the wires - which I worry is a fire hazard. They are loud and keep me awake at night.

"I don't want to be a nuisance to my neighbours banging on the ceiling every night."

Ms Kubis said pest controllers had removed some of the squirrels but others were still getting in through holes in the roof.

A Derby Homes spokesperson says: "We are aware that squirrels have been entering the roof space and have been working to try and resolve this for some time now.

"The roof has been examined and all the points of entry at the tenant's home have been blocked, however the roof serves three other homes which are owner occupied and there is evidence of poor maintenance which could be the cause of the ongoing problem.

"We now intend to inspect the integrity of the fire stop wall within the loft space to close off any points of access from neighbouring homes.

"We will also communicate with the neighbouring owners and request that they take responsibility for their maintenance issues.

"Our teams are in contact with the tenant and will continue to keep her informed of when further work will be undertaken."

But Ms Kubis says she is unhappy with how long the situation is taking to resolve.

"I've been a responsible tenant but I'm not getting the same from Derby Homes in providing me with a secure accommodation," she said.

"I haven't had any communication with the team since they came to visit in November. It's in their hands.

"I don't want to be a bother. I just want the problem sorted and I want to live in peace and quiet - is that too much to ask?"

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