Legal recourse - rats from neighbours overgrown garden

[Mothergoose]

My neighbours were very difficult people and their children several years ago played football across my front garden many times damaging plants repeatedly and breaking a window on one occasion.

The couple split up about two years ago. The man - middle aged - appeared to have developed some mobility issues over time. He stayed in the house, and she and the children moved out. His mobility appeared to become much worse and he couldn't drive or leave the house. I think he may be gone to a nursing home.

However, their back garden is completely overgrown in one section - my partner agreed with the guy that he would cut their front garden when he was cutting mine - just last week I noticed rats coming in under my shed from the neighbours overgrown garden and again noticed today that they were coming in further down in my garden under a fence.. The grass there is about 4 feet high. I don't have any contact details for these neighbours. I can see from the front that the side gate to their back garden has a large padlock on it.

Is there anything else I can do in this situation - would the Council help - is there any legal recourse if they cannot help.

 

[Dr Strangelove]

Lay down poison is a good start.

Are they tenants or owners? If they are tenants you may be able to put pressure there.

 

[Mothergoose]

I am going to get poison tomorrow. They are owners, but I actually don't know where they have gone - the wife moved out when they separated and the husband is gone for the last several weeks, and I think he may have gone to a nursing home due to having significant mobility issues.

 

[ClubMan]

Previous Askaboutmoney threads about rats:

Google Search

 

[Mothergoose]

Thanks, Clubman. Lots of helpful threads on rats!