As documented at thanetcouncil.blogspot.com back in 2004 the ant population has been for some time in the council properties arround Elham, Biddingdon and Appledore getting rather large.

It was said back then that it would only a metter of time untill we saw ants setting up home inside the building.

Well, now there is at least one family of ants living in 17 to 25 Elham Close.

So I phoned the council to have them treat the common halls for ant infestation. They were not at all helpfull.

According to Houseing Repairs the enviornmental Officers do not deal with ants.

Apparently I should go and buy some poisen to deal with them.

According to the Thanet Council official website:

What repairs is the council responsible for?

• Repairs to the structure and outside of your home: including roofs, walls, floors, drains, gutters and external pipes.
• Baths, basins and sinks.
• Any heater or central heating system we put in.
• Steps or paths that are an essential means of access, and any boundary fence or wall erected by us.
• All communal entrances, halls, stairways, lifts, communal lighting, rubbish chutes and wheeley bins.

http://www.thanet.gov.uk/housing/council_housing/housing_repairs.aspx

I mention this to them and they responded "we don't deal with ants."

"...you're the one that lives there." I was told. Thanks a bunch TDC! Pests over-run my home and your answer is "..you're the one that lives there" (ie, "it's not my problem, why should I care?").

So Thanet Council are responsible for common hallways but not if they contain ants (because it's your problem and they don't care).