A shocking video shows rats scurrying across a bin store as a housing association was slammed over its response.
Thrive Homes has been criticised after the video, filmed at a bin store in Ovaltine Drive, Kings Langley, revealed the known dumping hot-spot is once again in a disgusting state.
The Watford Observer covered issues with dumping at the site in October and November, last year, and it was described as a “serious health hazard”, yet a resident claimed repeated reports of the issue were ignored.
2 weeks later and still rat infested. @thrivinghomes why aren’t you taking this seriously? @Observer_Owl pic.twitter.com/D9zhHOEtSw
— DemGain$$$ (@DemGainsss) July 8, 2023
The housing association scheduled clearances but the tenant said that dumping would likely continue because the bin stores hadn't been secured.
They then raised the issue again on June 24, saying the site was “infested” with rats, before the video was posted last week alongside another claim that Thrive Homes had done nothing.
“No surprise that this bin cupboard is now infested with rats, and has been for several months,” the poster said.
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They added: “It’s been reported several times by multiple people, and nothing has been done.
“The bin stores still aren’t secure and so are overfilled, and that has led to the rats.”
They added that Thrive Homes' management of the long-time issue has left them “angry and frustrated”.
Responding to the video being posted to Twitter, Thrive Homes thanked the resident for raising the issue and said it had “chased this with the relevant team”.
A Thrive Homes spokesperson told the Watford Observer a contractor had been scheduled to assess the infestation.
They added: “We have been working closely with customers to reduce fly-tipping in their bin store and we are due to remove rubbish left in this area.
“We will keep customers informed directly.”
When the issue emerged last year, a spokesperson had said Thrive would be “re-communicating with our residents on what can and can’t be disposed of in the bin stores as a matter of urgency to avoid this situation occurring".
Images showed bins piled high with rubbish while more waste was strewn around them and even across the pavement outside the store. This included mattresses and furniture that had been dumped.
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