Scots family at wits' end as rats 'terrorise' autistic daughter and chew her clothes

Caitlin Leadbitter, from Edinburgh, said her partner had to kill a rat in front of her autistic daughter after it tried to attack them in the flat.

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A Scots family are pleading with their local council to fix a vermin problem they say is making their lives a misery.

Caitlin Leadbitter, from Edinburgh, said her partner had to kill a rat in front of her autistic daughter after it tried to attack them in the flat.

The mum from the Dumbryden area of the city, said she has "pleaded" with Edinburgh City Council to fix the issue in the family's home.

As well as the vermin, Caitlin told Edinburgh Live that mould and leaks have plagued the property since 2020, and a temporary home they were offered was just as bad.

She claims the council told her she would have to declare her three-year-old daughter and herself homeless to be eligible for a new home.

The 24-year-old said: “We have had problems with mould and leaks since we moved in around six or seven years ago but the rats became an issue in 2020 after work on the building roof was carried out.

“It started to worsen during Covid but the council kept telling us that nothing could be done because it was not an emergency. We could hear them building tunnels and scratching under the floorboards and walls.

“I think some of the rats have been getting in through gaps that were left by whoever built the flat. We have a circle pipe coming through a square hole and large gaps where radiator pipes come through the floorboards.

“We had a rat try to attack us one night. My partner had to kill it in front of my daughter.”

Caitlin said when she has asked for help from the council, contractors have cancelled on her or "brushed aside" her concerns. She said she has mental health issues which have worsened due to the rats and damp.

Shockingly, Caitlin said her daughter's clothes are being eaten by vermin whilst some of her toys have begun to grow mould. The family have put down rat poison to try to deal with the vermin and for a while the situation improved, but they were left with the stench of rotting rat carcasses under the floorboards.

“Since nothing was being done we decided to lay down poison which managed to kill a lot of the rats,” Caitlin continued.

“But the smell lingered with them disappearing under the floorboards. I already have problems with eating and it was so problematic.

“When they returned around five or six months ago we saw at least four or five of them. I can hear them through the walls and when I bang I can hear them stop for a few seconds before they start nibbling and scratching again.

“We’ve tried covering up holes around the flat but they find a way to get through. Me and my daughter are sleeping in the living room with our stuff to try and contain the damage.

“The sound of the rats is so triggering for my autistic daughter and I have paranoia that she won’t understand the danger they pose and try to pick one up. It is constant stress.”

She added: “I have PTSD and other trauma and it is a lot to handle and I feel the council has a responsibility to look after my daughter and I. We are estranged from my family and both have severe disabilities.

“To tell me to present as homeless is a horrible thing to say to a vulnerable person. It is very upsetting. I’m meant to provide for my daughter but it is difficult with all the barriers in place. I just want them to fix our home."

Councillor Jane Meagher, housing, homelessness and fair work convener for the council said: “I sympathise with the family and I understand their current circumstances must be causing them a lot of worry. Both our repairs and pest control teams have made several attempts to make contact and we will continue to work with the family to find a permanent solution.”

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