Managing Rat Risk Across Multiple Properties: A Guide for Facilities Managers

Managing a single building comes with enough challenges. When you are responsible for multiple properties, keeping on top of pest risks becomes significantly more complicated.

Whether you manage retail stores, restaurants, hotels, social housing or a wider commercial estate, a rat infestation at just one location can cause disruption, property damage and serious reputational harm. If the same underlying vulnerabilities exist across several sites, isolated incidents can quickly become a recurring and expensive problem.

That is why facilities managers need a consistent, preventative approach to rodent control across their entire property portfolio.

Why rat prevention matters across multiple sites

Traditional pest control is often reactive. A report is received, a contractor attends and treatment is carried out to remove the immediate problem.

While this may reduce the visible rat activity, it does not necessarily address how the rats entered the building. The British Pest Control Association estimates that around 80% of rodent infestations originate from the drainage system, highlighting why the source of the problem can often be found below ground.

If an access point remains open, the infestation can return once the treatment has finished.

For facilities managers, this can lead to repeated callouts, ongoing complaints and unpredictable maintenance costs across multiple locations. It can also make it difficult to identify which properties are genuinely protected and which remain vulnerable.

A portfolio-wide strategy should therefore focus on preventing rats from entering buildings, as well as responding effectively when activity is reported.

Understand how rats are gaining access

Rats can enter properties through gaps around pipework, damaged building materials and poorly sealed openings. However, one of their most common and frequently overlooked routes is the drainage system.

Rats are highly capable swimmers and climbers. They can travel from the main sewer into property pipework before finding a way into wall cavities, floors, kitchens, storage areas and other internal spaces.

Because this movement happens underground and largely out of sight, the source of an infestation may not be immediately obvious. Internal treatment might temporarily reduce the problem, but rats can continue using the same drainage route unless it is properly identified and protected.

Assess the risk across your property portfolio

Not every building will carry the same level of risk. A useful starting point is to divide properties into different priority groups based on their use, location, condition and previous pest history.

Higher-risk locations may include:

• Food production, preparation or storage facilities

• Restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues

• Retail stores with regular food deliveries

• Older buildings with ageing drainage systems

• Properties that have experienced previous infestations

• Buildings close to waterways, construction work or high-density urban areas

• Sites with frequent drainage problems or damaged pipework

Properties with a history of recurring rodent activity should be investigated first. If rats return after repeated pest control treatment, this may indicate that an underlying entry point has not been addressed.

Prevent rats from entering through the drains

Where the drainage system presents a potential access route, installing a physical rodent prevention device can help stop rats before they reach the building.

A RatGate is fitted inside the drainpipe and opens with the direction of flow. This allows water and waste to leave the property normally while preventing rats from pushing against the device and travelling upstream into the building.

Unlike poison and traps, it provides continuous, poison-free protection at the point of entry. This makes it particularly valuable across commercial estates where facilities managers need a practical, long-term solution that does not rely entirely on reacting to individual infestations.

RatGate devices are available in a range of sizes to suit different drainage systems, including Slimline models for angled pipes and restricted chambers.

They also feature a patented liftable flap that can be opened from the top of the inspection chamber. This allows drainage engineers to carry out routine drain maintenance without needing to remove the device.

Move from reaction to prevention

Managing rat risk across multiple properties is not simply about responding quickly when an infestation occurs. It is about understanding why problems are happening and putting measures in place to prevent them from returning.

By assessing risk across the portfolio and protecting vulnerable drainage entry points, facilities managers can reduce repeated callouts, improve consistency and provide long-term protection across every site.

RatGate works with facilities managers, drainage professionals and pest control companies to deliver effective rodent prevention across individual properties and multi-site estates.

To discuss protecting your property portfolio or arranging RatGate installations, contact our team today.