Hackney Council ‘redoubling efforts’ to tackle mould in its homes following death of toddler in Rochdale

A case of black mould at a Haggerston estate

Residents in homes beset by mould and damp problems have been promised faster action in response to the death of a two-year-old in Rochdale.

A coroner ruled that Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory illness caused by exposure to mould in his family’s housing association home.

Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville has reacted by ordering swift action to tackle mould and damp in council homes across the borough.

He said: “Awaab had a whole life taken away by housing conditions that should be long past in this country.

“No-one in 21st-century Britain should be living in conditions that Awaab’s family faced.”

The borough leader pledged to prioritise all reports of damp and mould in council homes, with inspections taking place within five working days and residents’ health taken into account.

Reports of damp and mould caused by a leak will be responded to within 24 hours, he said.

“In the past our responses to some cases of damp and mould may not have met our standards.

“I want to apologise and to ensure everyone that we will redouble our efforts.”

He added: “There can be no excuses for not taking action.”

More than two fifths of Hackney residents live in social housing and the Town Hall is one of the biggest providers of council homes in the country.

Hackney Council will also work with tenant management organisations, which manage a third of its estates, to ensure “that we have a joint and clear standard approach and that no cases fall between the gaps.”

Damp and mould assessments will also be included as part of a stock condition survey of council homes next year.

Other steps include asking housing associations in Hackney what they are doing to tackle the problem.

“We will make damp and mould part of our regular engagement accountability,” Glanville said.

He pledged upgrades to temporary accommodation too.

In a special report on mould and damp last year, Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said:  “You can see the distress, disruption, even embarrassment, felt by the resident.

“You can see the evident concern about their health and wellbeing, especially mental health, the impact on any children.”

His recommendations included landlords taking a “zero-tolerance approach to mould and damp”.