A housing association is to write to its tenants about a rat problem in an Oban street after a mother spoke of her shock to find traps dotted around the outside of her flat.
Alison McKnight, 35, was never contacted by West Highland Housing Association (WHHA) to be warned that there was a vermin problem.
A black rat trap was placed in the close outside her flat, another outside the building and two in the indoor drying area.
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Miss McKnight contacted The Press and Journal about the situation this week. She also told of the cramped conditions in the one bedroom flat at Burnside Court, Miller Road, she shares with partner Damian Lard, 47, and their son David, two.
Graeme Bruce, operations manager, WHHA, said: “Historically we are not aware of any tenants having had issues in the vicinity until recently when we were contacted by a tenant who reported signs indicating that a rat had been in one of our properties.
“Traps were positioned in the property by a professional pest control company. After further discussion with the pest control company we agreed it was appropriate to proactively position additional traps around the common parts of the building.
“Across our stock we have rarely had any issues with rats and have not felt it necessary to notify tenants that we had taken action however on reflection we acknowledge that in this case we could have been more proactive in communication with tenants and will write to tenants this week.”
Mr Bruce said they would invited the family to a discussion about their housing situation.
Local housing associations and the local authority are working with the Scottish Government to deliver over 300 units of housing in the area with an investment of more than £35million. These will be available from 2021 and will help ease housing pressure in the area.