Residents on estate where Awaab Ishak died report ongoing issues with damp and mould

The month after the inquest, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) downgraded RBH from G1 to G3, finding “significant failings” in the way the organisation deals with damp and mould. 

The regulator revealed that, for nearly two years after Awaab’s death, RBH failed to survey the estate where he had lived. 

When it did, almost 80% of the homes were found to have some level of damp and mould. 

The regulator also found RBH in breach of the Home Standard and parts of the Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard, which led to “actual and potential serious detriment” to tenants. 

As part of its response, RBH promised to install ventilation systems that would alleviate the problems on the Freehold Estate. 

Speaking to Freehold tenants three months on from the inquest, Inside Housing heard that some have had new systems installed and are happy with the work. Several said they never had any issues with RBH. 

But others are still suffering with disrepair and are unhappy with the response from the housing association. 

Vivien Holly, a mum who lives in a flat with her child and parents, said there is recurring black mould under the bed where her one-year-old son sleeps. 

“I’ve had to buy four or five different mattresses. The mould keeps coming back,” she said. 

Ms Holly added: “I have the heating on way too much, but I have to protect [my son].

“Every time I wash the mould, it seems to come back even worse. [My son] is OK now, but I don’t know about the future. I cough sometimes and I don’t know why. I’m scared for my son.”

The 26-year-old wants to move to a different property, and this has become more urgent because she is worried about her son’s health. But she is yet to bid successfully.

An RBH spokesperson said: “We are working to schedule the installation of the PIV [positive input ventilation] unit with our tenant as quickly as possible, alongside any other work required.”

Karina Alvarenga, who lives with her three children, niece and nephew in a three-bedroom flat, said she feels “abandoned” by RBH.

Damp and mould is recurring in the rooms, while there is little ventilation throughout the flat. 

She said she has contacted RBH “many times”, but the landlord has only painted her children’s room and worked on the bathroom once in the six years she has lived on the estate. 

“I think [the damp and mould is there] because the house doesn’t have a fan, especially the bathroom,” she said, adding that RBH did install a fan once, but that they covered it up. 

The family is forced to leave the windows open during the day to air the flat out. Because the rooms are so cold, Ms Alvarenga had to buy a heater and is spending £50 per week on heating. 

“It’s too much. But I need the place to be good for the kids. 

“I feel like they don’t care about people. They think it’s our problem, you can fix it, even though you pay rent. 

“They need to be more interested in the people who live here. It’s not just me. So many people have the same problems. I’m scared. I’m cleaning all the time, but it looks like we live like animals,” she said. 

RBH said: “We’ve expedited the installation of the new ventilation unit following discussion with our tenant, as well as working quickly to schedule the other work requested.”

Tafeka Hassan lives in Ilminster, the block where Awaab lived.

The 34-year-old is pregnant and said she has been living with damp and mould for eight years. 

Ms Hassan, who also washes down the mould herself, no longer sleeps in her bedroom for fear she and her unborn child will become sick. 

“What they are doing now doesn’t take away the pain. It’s been eight years of pain. 

“The damp and mould keep coming back, it never goes away. I am afraid for my child and [the council] put me in priority band D. 

“I have to do everything myself. I paint the walls, got a different radiator fitted. I can’t wait for them. They tell me you’ve got to wait 10 years [for upgrades to her property]. I say I’ll be dead in 10 years,” she said. 

RBH said: “We are working closely with the tenant on her rehousing application, with a view to finding her a new home quickly.” 

Harvinder Singh said he is no longer able to sleep in his bedroom because of a leak. The ceiling has pockets of water, which drip onto his bed. He has been complaining for months. 

RBH said: “We are working to schedule the work requested by our tenant as quickly as we can, at a time which is convenient to him.”