Latest news with #AwaabIshak
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
TPAS Cymru: Tenants demand faster action on housing hazards
A new Tenant Pulse report from TPAS Cymru highlights growing concern among tenants in Wales about issues such as damp, mould, faulty electrics, and poor ventilation. The findings come following the death of Awaab Ishak and the introduction of Awaab's Law in England. David Wilton, chief executive of TPAS Cymru, said: "This report shows that tenants expect clear action and consistent standards when it comes to housing safety. "The message is clear: listen to tenants, act quickly, and communicate clearly." The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to housing standards. In response, TPAS Cymru gathered tenant views on updates to the Welsh Housing Quality Standards. The report reveals that 71 per cent of social housing tenants want all hazards addressed, not just high-risk ones. 83 per cent want consistent rules for all landlords in Wales and believe hazards should be investigated within three days.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The area of the UK where you're likely to be living with 'silent killer' that slowly destroys the lungs
An alarming new study has revealed the parts of the UK with the highest numbers of residents affected by deadly house mould. Topping the list were homes in the North West, with nearly four times the incidences of severe mould and damp, compared to the least affected area—the East Midlands. London was a close second, with more than 6,000 complaints of severe mould and damp made by both private and social housing residents in 2024. The research, which analysed freedom of information requests made to local councils, also revealed a staggering rise in recurring mould and damp over the last year across the UK. Between 2023 and 2024, reported cases of unresolved problems more than doubled to 13,781. In total, local councils in Britain received 25,134 complaints about mould and damp in 2024, marking a 35.06 per cent increase from the previous year. In response to the lack of progress in tackling Britain's 'mould epidemic', experts have called for the health impacts to be taken more seriously. Inhaling mould spores can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, respiratory infections that cause lung disease and, in severe cases, death. Those most at risk of the health impacts of mould are those most at risk in society: babies, children, and older people. In December 2020, two year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home. He lived in a one-bedroom flat with his father and stepmother. The family reported the mould problem to the housing association that provided the flat—Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH)—three years before the little boy's death, but was advised to 'paint over it'. In June 2020, Awaab's father hit the landlords with a legal claim over the recurring mould, but repairs had to wait until the case was settled. Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on 19 December that year with shortness of breath, and died a few days later. Speaking of the new findings, Dr Alexis Missick, a GP working with online prescription service UK Meds, which collected the data, said: 'Mould is more than just an eyesore, it can be extremely harmful, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions like asthma. 'Prolonged exposure to damp and mould can lead to persistent coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation. In more severe cases, it can cause long-term damage to lung health. 'With complaints rising so sharply, it's clear that action is needed at both local and national levels. 'We urge councils, landlords, and tenants to prioritise early prevention, proper ventilation, and swift intervention where mould is discovered.' The study analysed data from freedom of information requests to councils about mould and damp complaints in both private and social housing. The researchers found a stark difference between regions regarding the number of complaints, as well as the number of unresolved cases. The culprit behind mould is too much moisture and in buildings this can be caused by several factors. This includes leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames, and condensation. Mould and damp are commonly found in old buildings, but a newly built home may be damp if the water used in the plaster on the walls is still drying out. This latest study follows several high profile cases in which mould resulted in life-threatening complications. Matthew Langsworth, 32, has developed a potentially deadly infection after inhaling mould spores that were 'hidden' in his home In January this year, reports surfaced of a 32 year-old man who developed a life-threatening blood infection caused by mould, after living in a fungus-infected property where spores were 'covered up' with paint. Matthew Langsworth, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire became so breathless 'he could barely walk'. The condition called invasive aspergillosis can be caused by inhaling fungal spores which consequently spread from the lungs to the blood and other areas of the body. Last year, it triggered a collapsed lung which resulted in potentially-deadly sepsis. He said he spent a decade flagging black mould in the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom to his landlord, which he claims was 'redecorated over'. Mr Langsworth claimed that doctors suspect mould exposure is behind his health issues. He said he's faced with the choice of 'dying or being homeless'—as the flat, which is subsidised by the local council, is deemed 'fit for living' by officials. The social housing provider in his case, Stonewater, claimed they replaced the 'entirety of his bathroom and kitchen' following a leak in 2023 and more recently installed new flooring. They said a survey done in January this year, found mould on the shower curtain, the bathroom sink waste overflow and in the washing machine powder drawer They also discovered that the extractor fan in the bathroom wasn't working, but claim that had not been reported to them previously.
The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Council warned of law breach over failure to help toddler
She says she had already been forced out of the flat for over a week after he was found vomiting in his sleep and in danger of choking as a result of the damp and mould-ridden conditions in the flat at the end of January. Now she says she was forced out again to stay are her mother's after her son was again vomiting in his sleep. And a damning expert study has now condemned the council's failure to act to remove the mother and child accusing it of "unacceptable and unethical blaming of tenants" and warning that it face legal issues by not acting. It said: "The continued blaming of the tenants, rather than addressing the fundamental property defects and severe Indoor Air Quality issues, is unacceptable [and] unethical" while breaching the law on Scottish housing standards. The mother has told South Lanarkshire Council that she feared that her son, who needed urgent medical treatment, would suffer the same fate as Awaab Ishak the two-year-old who died over four years ago as a result of damp and mould in his home, which was managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) Ms Ure's case has been credited with helping to force the Scottish Government to propose the introduction of new rules over housing standards which is being dubbed by some as Leighton's Law after her son. READ MORE: But the 28-year-old mother who has had the written support of her doctor for a move out of the flat saying that the toddler has "frequent attendances with respiratory tract infections" was told that the council that he is not a health priority for a move. But Ms Ure, who moved into the flat while pregnant three years ago says conditions are exacerbating her own asthma, and is upset that desperate appeals have fallen on deaf ears. Now a new expert study of conditions at the flat carried out at the end of April by Berwick-upon-Tweed-based indoor environmental group Healthy Homes and Beyond has warned that the council that the flat remains "unfit for human habitation" and that the family should be moved out. The study, supported by a mould and air quality analysis by Sporcyte and carried out by the group's director and founder Kristine Reilly-Blake makes what it described as an "urgent and immediate recommendation " stating: "South Lanarkshire Council must immediately remove the Ure family and place them in safe, accommodation. "The property is currently unfit for human habitation and poses an imminent and unacceptable risk to their health and well-being. " Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) Ms Reilly-Blake, who began investigations as an independent damp and mould surveyor in the north east of England and Scotland after her eldest daughter had such a severe exacerbation of asthma it left her fighting for her life, added: "Continued exposure to these conditions is likely to result in further deterioration of Michelle's health and poses a significant and potentially irreversible risk of long-term respiratory damage to Leighton. Your failure to act decisively in light of this medical evidence would be a grave dereliction of your duty of care. "The cumulative and irrefutable evidence from my investigations, coupled with the documented medical evidence linking Leighton's illness directly to the property conditions, demonstrates a severe, ongoing, and deteriorating dampness and mould problem stemming from fundamental structural deficiencies and inadequate ventilation. "These conditions, which I have thoroughly documented, present a substantial, immediate, and unacceptable risk to the health and well-being of the occupants, particularly the young child, Leighton, and Michelle..." The study said that in addition to the "direct and acute health and safety concerns substantiated by Leighton's medical records" the conditions also raised "significant and actionable legal and regulatory issues". It says their examination shows "strongly and unequivocally" that the flat fails to meet the 'tolerable standard' test under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 in order to be fit for human habitation and requires that houses are free from dampness that is prejudicial to health. "This failure is particularly egregious given the documented and severe impact on Michelle's asthma and the direct link between the property conditions and Leighton's documented medical issues," the study said. Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) It said the council should carry out a comprehensive indoor air quality investigation and remediation plan, carry out urgent comprehensive structural repairs and carry out professional and comprehensive mould remediation. And it states that there should be "accurate, transparent and ethical communication, adding that the council should "cease blaming of the tenants". The mother received an email from a council investigator at the end of January insisting there were no problems with the flat. South Lanarkshire Council had said it has been working hard to carry out alleviate any dampness issues and say the property has been "confirmed to be habitable". The mother denies this. The report has come as South Lanarkshire HomeFinder, a housing allocation system, run by South Lanarkshire Council told Ms Ure she could not be rehoused as a health priority adding that there was "insufficient need shown to demonstrate that your current home is medically unsuitable" and that issues over damp and mould would have to be address by a repairs team. Scottish Labour's housing spokesman Mark Griffin, who has been taking the case up with the council is sue to meet the mother and child today [Wednesday]. Sean Clerkin, campaign co-ordinator of the Scottish Tenants Organisation who has been supporting Ms Ure and has urged the council to act on the report. He told Stephen Gibson, the council's executive director of housing in a message: "In all my years of advocating for tenants and their issues this is the one that has affected me more than any other. Evidence provided to South Lanarkshire Council in the expert report (Image: NQ) "The two-year-old Leighton will die in this property due to the silent violence of your department against him and his family. "The boy will succumb and you will be responsible for his death unless you act now and remove this family to a new safe and secure home free from damp and mould. "You have been given fair warning time and again. South Lanarkshire Council are derelict in their duty of care towards this family in that you insist this family live in such intolerable conditions to the detriment of their health." Leighton's Law emerged after the Herald revealed more than 700,000 Scottish homes have been classed as not fit for habitation jn a new housing emergency - with 600,000 more properties registered as below a legal tolerable standard since the pandemic. Campaigners say that initial proposals are 'flawed' as they focus only on the social rented sector which comprises properties owned by councils and housing associations such as Wheatley. Official surveys carried out for the Scottish Government show that in 2023, the number of Scots properties falling below the 'tolerable standard' in order to be fit for habitation has shot up from an estimated 54,000 (2%) in 2018 to 729,000 (27%) in 2023. It is classed as a "condemnatory" standard which means that it is not reasonable to expect people to continue to live in a house that falls below it. Campaigners including the Scottish Tenants' Organisation and Living Rent have described the issue over housing standards and damp and mould in Scotland as a "public health crisis". A council spokesman said: 'This house has now been visited on numerous occasions by our own staff and by independent contractors, including a range of professionals who are highly qualified in property matters and environmental health. At no time has any of these experts found the property to be anything other than habitable. 'We have undertaken a range of actions to investigate the issues reported by Ms Ure, including dampness surveys carried out by a specialist contractor that identified no major issues. 'While some actions have been taken, including the fitting of thermal insulation to external walls and the upgrading of fans in the bathroom and kitchen, Ms Ure has refused to allow us to install a new ventilation system that would further improve air quality. 'Ms Ure has also been repeatedly provided with advice on how to prevent condensation and dampness in the home. 'While Ms Ure's request for a housing transfer has been based in part on the suggestion that her son's health is being impacted by conditions in the flat, we have been presented with no evidence that this is the case. There appears to be no such evidence in the reports commissioned by Ms Ure either. 'However, a further inspection of the property has been arranged that will take place in the next few days.'
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
City of Lincoln Council complaints hit five-year high
Complaints made to Lincoln City Council have reached a five-year high, with housing issues seeing the biggest authority said the increase was expected due to a new complaints policy, which better records tenants' were 562 complaints made in 2024-2025, compared to 418 the year before, with most of the increase related to tenancies, maintenance, repairs and other housing than half (53%) of the total complaints made were upheld, a similar proportion to the previous year. Social housing standards have become a bigger focus in recent years following the Grenfell Tower fire and the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak due to black mould in his council Housing Ombudsman Service introduced a complaint-handling code last year, which all social housing providers are legally required to follow. New complaints procedure A City of Lincoln Council report said they changed their complaints policy and "trained front-line staff to recognise and record expressions of dissatisfaction as formal complaints in line with the best practice outlined in the code".The report added the council now records all informal complaints, something they did not previously do, which has contributed to the increase. The lowest number of complaints in the last five years was 2020-21, when there were 260 altogether, according to the Local Democracy Reporting complaints are upheld, residents are given an apology and may be offered a form of report also said several complaints about the Central Car Park were upheld and "as a result various improvements have been/will be undertaken this year".The results will be discussed at a meeting later. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
100,000 Scots private rented homes not fit for human habitation
It is classed as a basic "condemnatory" standard, with a wider scope than the Scottish Housing Quality Standard for social housing which means that it is not reasonable to expect people to continue to live in a house that falls below it. It is all despite the fact that of the 2.7 million homes in Scotland, 23% are socially rented, aimed at individuals and families who have a limited income - against 13% that are private lets. The number of privately rented homes that are falling below the 'tolerable standard' has shot up nearly sixfold from an estimated 7,020 (4%) in 2018 to 94,770 (27%) in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of affordable social rented homes that are falling below the standard has shot up less steeply from 9,499 to 46,922. It comes as a survey by Scots tenants' rights group Living Rent found that one in three private sector tenants in Scotland were living with mould and damp in what they are describing as a "disrepair endemic". It has led campaigners to demand that new rules to combat housing disrepair across Scotland must apply to those renting privately. The Living Rent survey of hundreds of Scots renters found that nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents lived with some form of disrepair and 82% have lived in disrepair since they began taking on lets in Scotland. It has led to new concerns that proposed new laws to deal with Scottish homes that are classed as not fit for habitation - will not cover those that are privately rented. The Scottish Government has said that landlords would be forced to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould in homes under new measures being proposed. But it has emerged that proposals so far announced are focussed on the social rented sector which comprises properties owned by councils and housing associations. Awaab IshakConcerns had been raised about a north-south divide over housing standards after the death of toddler Awaab Ishak over four years ago due to conditions at the family's Rochdale flat ushered in tough legislation forcing landlords to fix damp and mould in properties within "strict new time limits". But it will only be enforceable in England and Wales. The UK government has already committed to apply Awaab's law to privately rented homes in England and Wales in a way that is 'fair and proportionate' for tenants and landlords. A petition lodged with the Scottish Parliament urged ministers to introduce an Awaab's Law for Scotland, requiring all private and registered social landlords to investigate and remediate damp and mould within specified timeframes and to high-quality standards. Some have named the new rules as Leighton's Law after The Herald revealed the extent of sub-standard housing across the nation and how 28-year-old single mother Michelle Ure called for changes in how families like hers are dealt with in dealing with defective homes. She revealed that her two-year-old toddler Leighton's life is lucky-to-be alive due to rampant damp and mould problems in her council flat which resulted in him being at risk of choking on his vomit. READ MORE: The survey of 567 people carried out by Living Rent over January and February has shown that the overwhelming majority of respondents had outstanding repairs in their home, with most saying that their health and mental health was particularly affected by living with disrepair. The study also suggested that the most vulnerable tenants were hit the hardest by poor quality housing. It found that 38% said they had structural issues, 28% had broken appliances and 17% experienced low temperatures due to their properties' disrepair. Of those living with disrepair, 66% had a rent increase last year. Some 41.1% of tenants who had experienced disrepair earned below £20,000 per year and 16% spent at least half their wage on rent. Nearly 100,000 privately rented homes are classed as not fit for human habitation (Image: Newsquest) Most tenants have experienced disrepair at some point during their time renting in Scotland. When asked about disrepair since they started renting in Scotland, 82% said they have had disrepair in their tenancy at one point and 61.9% say they have experienced mould and damp. Half (52.7%) of tenants say they have had structural issues and 60% say they have had broken appliances. 45.8% say they have experienced low temperatures due to their housing. Living with disrepairs also severely impacts tenants' health. When asked whether disrepair had impacted their health over their time renting in Scotland, 62% of respondents said that it had impacted their physical health. And 86% said that it has impacted their mental health. According to the Marmot review exposure to poor housing conditions (including damp, cold, mould, noise) is strongly associated with poor health, both physical and mental. In particular the report points to an increase in 'respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease and communicable disease transmission, and increased mortality' as well as 'increased stress, a reduction in a sense of empowerment and control over one's life and depression and anxiety.' Living Rent says that a Leighton's Law "can't come soon enough" to give social housing tenants "greater protection against disrepairs" such as damp and mould. However it said that the housing quality crisis is not limited to social housing and that private tenants face "the worst quality housing in Scotland". Living Rent said: "Disrepair in Scotland is endemic throughout our homes. The Scottish government has fallen asleep at the wheel and needs to be doing far more to protect tenants from chronic disrepair. "Landlords allowing tenants to live with disrepair should be seen in a similar light as employers putting their workers at risk in a work setting. Mould and damp is a health and safety issue and needs to be treated like one." The proposed new Scottish Government laws emerged after The Herald revealed more than 700,000 Scottish homes were classed as not fit for habitation. The analysis revealed that an estimated 270,000 Scottish homes are suffering with mould while 81,000 are hit by rising or penetrating damp. Campaigners believe even these numbers are underestimated and have complained about a lack of clarity in tracking the issues. The rise in 'tolerable standard' failures is believed to be primarily fuelled by amendments to Scots law which came into force in February 2022, and states that smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors are a requirement of private rented properties to meet the tolerable standard. It was brought in to reduce the risk of loss of life, injury, and damage to property in the event of fire. Failures have also been linked to an inability to be free from rising and penetrating damp and having unsafe electrical systems. The Scottish Government has been planning to amend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to give ministers the power to impose repair deadlines on landlords to investigate disrepair such as damp and mould and start repairs. But the proposals highlighted by the Scottish Government as housing campaigners were raising issues about damp and mould in the Scottish Parliament concentrated on dealing with the social housing sector. Registered social landlords are required to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) which requires housing to be free from rising or penetrating damp, to have satisfactory ventilation and meet minimum energy efficiency standards. And the Scottish Government has said their proposed new regulations will "build on provisions already in the Bill on strengthening tenants' rights and Scotland's existing legal protections for social tenants such as the SHQS and the Right to Repair Scheme". The Scottish Government said it would "consider" how to implement any new laws for private tenants. Living Rent's chairman Aditi Jehangir added: "Right now there is a failure of regulation and accountability for landlords. As a result, landlords are getting away with inaction and tenants are scared of raising issues for fear of eviction. With landlords able to get away with charging extortionate rents whilst their properties sit in disrepair, tenants are left powerless in a perfect storm. "The Scottish government needs to take the lack of repairs and mould and damp in the private sector as seriously as in the social sector and introduce the equivalent to Awaab's law for private tenants. "Tenants need this government to legislate to introduce clear mechanisms to ensure repairs happen, compensation for tenants and penalties for landlords if repairs are not completed in time. The responsibility for disrepair needs to be put firmly back where it belongs, at the door of the landlords." A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'We are committed to tackling disrepair in housing. The overall condition of housing in Scotland has been steadily improving over the years, driven by existing standards. 'Landlords for social or private rented homes in Scotland are required to make sure properties are free from damp, have adequate ventilation and are suitably insulated. "We have also introduced amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will broaden ministers powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair, such as damp and mould, and start repairs. 'Just like the social rented sector, the Scottish Government is committed to and will consider how to implement Awaab's Law for private tenants, using existing powers, after engagement with the private rented sector.'
