Woman pestered by pigeons nesting under Vivid solar panels

Brenda Monger, who lives in Bow Drive, Sherfield on Loddon, said housing association Vivid installed solar panels on her roof a number of years ago, but since November 2022 she has had problems with nesting pigeons and mess across the front of her and her neighbour's property.

Brenda, who has lived in her home for over 50 years, said that she often finds feathers, broken bird eggs as well as excrement. 

The problem is also disrupting Brenda's sleep pattern and waking her up through the night. 

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Brenda's granddaughter, Hayley Cain, complained to Vivid, asking it to rectify the pest problem by preventing the pigeons from nesting underneath the solar panels.

Hayley was told that pest control was the tenant's responsibility. Hayley and Brenda enquired with a private pest control company to get the problem sorted but were told that it would cost £600 if scaffolding wasn't required to carry out the works, but would cost over £2,000 if it did. 

Hayley checked Brenda's tenancy agreement, only to realise that it was not stated in the agreement that tenants would need to pay their own pest control costs.

The solar panels were installed on the property over 10 years ago (Image: Mark Paine)

Hayley contacted Vivid once again, which agreed to accept responsibility for the work and confirmed to Hayley on Thursday, May 25 that it had 'been authorised to approve costs'.

Despite this, Vivid backtracked and on Wednesday, August 9, again spoke to Hayley to inform her and Brenda of a trial using sonar devices in locations where similar issues had been reported, and based on how effective the trial is, will determine the housing association's course of action going forward.

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Brenda said: "I've looked after this property for 56 years and looked after it well, so it's disappointing for me and my family to have to fight so much to sort out this issue."

Hayley added: "It makes you feel like a number and it's clear that's how we are viewed. We worry about the damage they are causing, also these birds carry disease. It's very upsetting to have to consistently push and fight just to try and get a little bit of help and sort out my nan's issues."

Customer service director Alex Nagle said: “We understand why our customer is keen to have the situation with the pigeons under the solar panels resolved as soon as possible and would have hoped to have assessed and resolved the situation more quickly.

"We’re visiting her to assess what’s happening and agree a solution on September 5, including looking at whether any repair to the roof is needed.

“We’re trialling the use of sonar devices in locations where this issue has been reported as particularly prevalent and are monitoring how effective they are.

"This will help us decide the most effective way forward to resolve the issue for any customers impacted - whether it’s the use of sonar devices, netting or another solution. There can be a number of reasons this occurs, not always to do with birds nesting.”