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A family in South London has endured over seven months of living in a damp and mould-infested flat, exposing ongoing failures in social housing management amid the new enforcement of Awaab\u2019s Law, which seeks to guarantee swifter action on hazardous housing conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A South London family endured living in a two-bedroom flat plagued by persistent damp and mould problems for over seven months, a situation that highlights ongoing failures in social housing management even as new legislation, known as Awaab\u2019s Law, comes into effect. A Housing Ombudsman investigation into Lewisham Council\u2019s handling of the case concluded that the local authority failed to treat the issue with the urgency required, did not adhere to its own vulnerable residents policy, and neglected to keep the family informed about repair plans or timelines. The family reported the mould and damp worsening, but the council delayed its responses, eventually only inspecting the roof and not conducting a comprehensive mould and damp assessment. At the time of the investigation, the family remained in the property, with no clear resolution or schedule for repairs provided by the council.<\/p>\n
Lewisham Council acknowledged the shortcomings, describing the case as illustrative of how complex repair processes can falter, leading to prolonged distress for residents living in substandard conditions despite repeated visits by council staff and contractors. Since taking back control of housing services in October 2023, the council claims to have been working to improve its repair management systems, particularly focusing on damp and mould issues. They have introduced new policies and system redesigns aimed at better scheduling and tracking repairs. A dedicated officer has been assigned to support the affected family and oversee the resolution of their housing problems.<\/p>\n
The publication of this detailed Housing Ombudsman report coincides with the introduction of Awaab\u2019s Law, named in memory of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who tragically died in 2020 due to respiratory illness caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home. This landmark legislation, effective from October 27, 2025, imposes binding timeframes on social housing landlords to address dangerous damp, mould, and other emergency hazards, mandating repairs within strict deadlines\u2014such as emergency repairs within 24 hours and significant mould investigations within ten working days. The law is part of a broader government effort to prevent neglect-related tragedies in social housing, with non-compliance potentially leading to legal consequences. Over the coming years, the scope of Awaab\u2019s Law will expand to cover additional housing hazards.<\/p>\n
The Housing Ombudsman, Richard Blakeway, expressed grave concern that, despite serious health risks including asthma and fungal infections reported by residents\u2014often children\u2014landlords frequently failed to respond urgently to damp and mould complaints. His report documents numerous distressing cases, including carpets so wet they were unusable and even mushrooms growing on a child\u2019s wall. He highlighted how such issues frequently span months or years without adequate resolution, contrasting sharply with the swift actions now mandated by Awaab\u2019s Law.<\/p>\n
Lewisham\u2019s failures in this specific case included responding to a leak without adequate follow-up, poor record-keeping leading to confusion over the cause of damp, and a lack of clear communication with the affected family. This contrasts with the council\u2019s own stated Housing Complaints Procedure, which outlines steps for tenants to report issues and escalate complaints if necessary. The Ombudsman ordered Lewisham Council to establish and communicate a clear timeline for resolving the ongoing damp and mould problems.<\/p>\n
Other local authorities, such as Westminster City Council, have already begun adapting their services to comply with Awaab\u2019s Law by providing specific support services for condensation and mould issues, including home visits and quick response teams. Such approaches aim to protect tenants\u2019 health and improve overall housing safety proactively.<\/p>\n
The Lewisham case underscores the critical need for social landlords to fully implement the standards set by Awaab\u2019s Law, ensuring vulnerable tenants do not suffer prolonged exposure to hazardous living conditions. It also illustrates the importance of robust complaint mechanisms, transparent communication, and comprehensive record-keeping in delivering safe and healthy homes. As the new legislation takes hold, it remains to be seen how quickly and effectively councils across England will transform their practices to prevent further tragedies.<\/p>\n