Medford Apartment Tenants Speak Out About Rat Problem

MEDFORD, MA — Residents are voicing their concerns about a potential rat infestation they feel is happening in their neighborhood.

The Brooks Park Tenant Association went before the City Council during its most recent meeting to testify about what they have been dealing with. Brooks Park Apartments was purchased by Charlesgate Property Management in 2024. Council Member Matt Leming said that the company has a reputation for not being very responsive to its tenants.

“I did invite them to this meeting, and they said that they didn’t have adequate notice to attend which I think is fair,” Leming said about Charlesgate. “It should be noted that when I did reach out to them, they did respond to me.”
In a letter to Charlesgate from the Brooks Park Tenant Association, the residents detail that the rodents are present in the four dumpsters on the property, on the fire escape, in the basement, and in the laundry room of the complex. They also say that rats are responsible for holes in the front of the building.

“At the end of the day this is a case of a landlord that needs to do a couple of very simple things to fix the situation and they simply have not been putting the investment of these properties that they need to,” Leming said.

The residents are asking the landlord to replace the dumpsters with larger, more secure ones that close tightly. In addition, they are asking for professional exterminators to come and conduct a full service to the location, and for the aforementioned “rat holes” to be filled.

Leming showed photos from the basement of the building that appeared to show a large amount of rat droppings urine, and said the entire floor has a strong odor because of it.

“They do not pay rent,” Brooks Park resident Julia Forster said about the rats. “I go outside to empty the trash, and hear them in the dumpster: ‘click click.’ They run up the roof, covering the boiler and run down the fire escape. One sees them in the back running from one garage to another and under the cars. In the common area such as the basement where the laundry facilities and storage areas are, they are seen and smelt. P.U.”

See Also:

New Mexican Restaurant Coming Soon To Medford

Medford Coffee Shop Suffers Sudden Closure

Medford Reveals Spring Street Sweeping Schedule

Medford Man With ALS Raising Money Through Boston Marathon

Medford Dog Owner Cited After Animal Injures Child At Park

Medford Awarded $90K Grant To Update ADA Access Plan

Medford Resident Running Boston Marathon For Her Loved Ones

Medford Resident Takes Center Court At Celtics Game For Her Nonprofit Efforts

Medford High School Gets New MCAS Testing System Approved

Medford Launching City Beautification Initiatives For Spring 2026

MBTA Police Believe Criminal Charges Warranted For Driver Of Medford Bus Crash

Registration Open For Run Medford Race Weekend