A TAVISTOCK woman has felt unable to live in her own home due to an ‘infestation’ of rats and says she feels let down by a housing association in charge of her property.

Tracey Petts, who lives at Madge Court, Bannawell Street, moved into her property in June last year which is owned by LiveWest, a charitable community benefit society.

Shortly after she moved in, she heard strange noises and scratching within the walls of her property.

Tracey said: ‘I was frightened as I didn’t know what it was, then my neighbours told me it was rats.’

She said that rats have been making her life a misery by creating holes within her kitchen cupboards and in the roof and had asked for the problem to be fixed by LiveWest.

‘Other residents in Madge Court have put up with this for two years and they have complained but nothing was done,’ added Tracey.

‘I have spoken to LiveWest on many occasions about the problem and nothing has been solved. LiveWest has a responsibility to make the property “rat-proof” and it is the borough council’s responsibility to exterminate the rats but it has to be guided by LiveWest.

‘I feel let down. I don’t want to move as I like my home and it’s close to the amenities. That’s why I thought this would be a good place to live. I don’t know where another ideal place would be. I don’t want to stay here but where else can I go? This is my home.’

The Times approached LiveWest for a response and the company said it was ‘extremely sorry’ for any distress caused.

Director of Neighbourhoods at LiveWest James Reseigh said: ‘We are extremely sorry about the situation affecting our resident in Tavistock.

‘We have been working closely with environmental health officers to try and deal with the issue.

‘This included carrying out a camera investigation on drains and the council laid down bait which seemed to alleviate the problem for a period of time.

‘We are concerned that the issue appears to have returned and we will now, alongside our partners, conduct further investigations to try and find a long-term solution.

‘Our absolute priority is to provide homes that people love to live in and we will continue to work closely with our resident to reach a satisfactory conclusion.’