guide

Pests

Report cockroaches, mice, and other pests, and arrange follow-up.

Last checked: 7 September 2026

Who this is for: All residents; charges and responsibility vary by occupancy and pest.

Report an infestation through the appropriate service and describe where you have seen it. A report about a communal area is useful even if you have not seen pests inside your own home.

What do I need to do?

  1. Open Southwark’s pest-reporting page and select the route that matches your home or the location.
  2. Council tenants receive treatment free for most common pests; other residents may have to pay. Do not assume one neighbour’s eligibility applies to everyone.
  3. If you rent privately, ask your landlord to help. Southwark says the landlord may be responsible. If the landlord does not respond, its housing enforcement contact is resi@southwark.gov.uk. Check the page’s terms before paying for treatment yourself. Reporting and responsibility.

What information will I need?

Record the location, approximate dates and frequency, type of pest if known, any previous treatment, and whether there are associated leaks or waste problems. A photograph may help identification, but do not guess at the species or publish photographs of a neighbour’s home.

What happens next?

Southwark says it will email a booking confirmation if it can help. Follow the technician’s preparation and follow-up instructions. If several homes or shared areas seem affected, tell resident services and ask whether coordinated inspection is needed. Southwark’s handbook explains that pests can move between flats and whole-block treatment may sometimes be arranged. That is not confirmation of a treatment programme for this estate. Tenant handbook pest section.

If the problem returns

Report that the treatment has not resolved it, with the earlier reference. Ask what follow-up is recommended. Report waste, chute, and repair problems separately through the relevant guide.

Estate details still to confirm: any active treatment programme and whether communal causes have been inspected.