Residents living in 'rat infested' social housing in Sandbach have been assured tough measures are being taken to eradicate any problems.

And the housing provider, Torus, has apologised to tenants saying "it is clear we have fallen far short of our expected standards in this case".

Valley Court has only been open about three years and is built on the former site of Foden training centre. (Photo: Nub News)

Elworth councillor, Nicola Cook, stepped in to help the tenants of Valley Court in Hill Street after they complained of rats inside the building and other issues.

Now they have been assured by the housing association, Torus, that all measures are being taken to sort the problems out. Cllr Cook organised a clean-up of the outside of the building at the weekend.

Several tenants told Sandbach Nub News that they had heard the rats scratching and running down the corridor in the ceiling of the building, built on the site of the former Fodens training centre.

Rat droppings underneath a tenant's bath. (Photo: supplied)

Another told how they had seen rats crawling around the bins outside while a young mum said rat droppings were found underneath her bath.

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"I just can't carry on. I have a young child and it's really getting to me. I am exhausted. I just can't sleep wth all this going on," she said.

Chief Operating Officer at Torus, Cath Murray-Howard, said: "We are really sorry for the distress this has caused our tenants and the unpleasant conditions they have had to live in; it is clear we have fallen far short of our expected standards in this case," she said.

"While we have tried numerous tactics to rid Valley Court of these problems, the issues have persisted so last week we started a full review of communal areas and knocked on every tenant's door to inspect then fix issues once and for all.

A tenant said he saw rats climbing round the bin area. (Photo: Nub News)

"We have been given access to 21 of the 26 properties and continue trying to contact the other five so we can inspect their homes and solve any problems they may have.

"Work carried out so far includes pest control sealing ingress points and baiting, a drain survey, a full new kitchen fitted to one property, general repairs to homes, replacing two communal doors and mending others."

She added: "A big clean-up has taken place that saw us remove bulky items in communal areas and clear fly-tipping away.

"A specialist company has been appointed to reduce overflowing waste and we have asked Cheshire East Council to review the number of bins provided.

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"We welcome tenant feedback and want to build a relationship with those living at Valley Court so we have been pleased a number want to set up a tenant's association which we are now organising.

"Tenants have been incredibly patient - we thank them for this and will be compensating them accordingly as well as providing any additional support they may need. Regular updates will be given to tenants so they always know what is happening."

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