Student house rat infestation is a status symbol

As figures show 25% of students homes have vermin, undergraduates said they often boasted to friends about rat faeces in their living quarters.

Bristol student and filthy shared house resident Roy Hobbs said “The rat in our cupboard is called  ‘Bowie’”.

“We don’t try to kill him, block up his hole or call Environmental Health because having a rat in the house is one of those things that makes you feel a bit more interesting and original. Like a tattoo.

“If he shits on our food we just buy more food. Or if a housemate dies of Weil’s Disease, we get a new housemate.”