Rodents invade home after spreading from neglected land

A family in Sant Feliu de Llobregat has been forced to leave their ground-floor apartment on Carrer Joan Maragall after rats from an adjacent abandoned property infiltrated their home. Roc Mach, 42, his partner Marta, and their children, aged one and three, fled their residence ten days ago following nights of hearing rodents scurrying through the false ceiling and internal walls. The infestation stems from an overgrown plot owned by a private real estate company that has long neglected the site, allowing uncontrolled vegetation to create ideal conditions for rodent habitation. Videos recorded by the family show rats climbing walls and entering their courtyard. Droppings have been found inside the home, including in kitchen drawers and on the children’s changing table.

Repeated complaints ignored, council steps up action

Since moving into their flat in 2022, the couple have submitted 20 formal complaints to the Sant Feliu de Llobregat City Council, warning of the deteriorating state of the neighbouring parcel and, from July 2026, reporting the presence of rodents. Despite these alerts, no resolution was achieved. Following media coverage, the council has announced an extraordinary rat control operation on Carrer Joan Maragall and will formally require the property owner to sanitise the site. The local authority has also offered temporary housing support to the family.

Until the City Council intervenes and clears the source, we won't be able to return,

said Roc Mach in an interview with TV3’s "Tot es mou".

Although Article 18.2 of the Spanish Constitution protects the inviolability of private property, the council may access the abandoned plot through subsidiary execution, a legal process requiring judicial authorisation to carry out essential works when owners fail to act. The family has hired a pest control firm to treat their apartment, but technicians confirm eradication cannot succeed unless the source, the unmanaged garden, is first addressed. The family continues to stay with relatives and has no timeline for returning home.

Residents affected by similar issues can report public health concerns via the Sant Feliu de Llobregat City Council’s official portal.

Reported by 3cat.cat, t.co, rac1.cat, lavanguardia.com, santfeliualdia.com, 3CatInfo Barcelona.