Punta Gorda City Council to decide fate of ‘The Rat House’

Punta Gorda’s City Council will decide the fate of a vacant home that neighbors have dubbed ‘The Rat House.’

The home is on Belaire Court in Punta Gorda. The former owner left the house in 2013 and it has been abandoned ever since.

The city has since taken care of the lawn maintenance and some rodents control at the property at the cost of the taxpayers.

Taxpayers could see a return on their investment on Wednesday when Punta Gorda City Council will decide whether to sell the home.

Neighbors say it’s about time. They’ve been dealing with rats from the house for way too long.

“The house is a mess. It’s been a mess,” said Linda, a neighbor to ‘The Rat House.’

The home has been a mess for years, earning it the name ‘The Rate House.’

In 2019, WINK News came to the house along Belaire Court and saw the rats that take up residence in the home.

Linda, who lives a few houses down wants the city council to be decisive.

“I think it needs to be torn down. I think they need to sell it and tear it down because the land is worth a lot of money. And I can’t see anybody fixing it up,” said Linda.

William Atkinson lives across the street. He knows all about the rats and can’t imagine anyone wanting to live there. “I’m hoping the city gets it sold so they can tear it down and build a new house there. City doesn’t need to own it. It’s not their business to own property like that,” said Atkinson.

Neighbors first complained in 2019 when rats started to show up in their homes. Atkinson said they just can’t get rid of them all.