Awaab Ishak landlord said refugees were 'lucky to have a roof' and living with mould was 'OK and acceptable'
The landlord responsible for the flat where tragic two-year-old Awaab Ishak lived exposed to mould and damp before his death said refugees were 'lucky to have a roof' over their heads, a damming report revealed today.
The Manchester Evening News campaigned for Awaab's Law in the toddler's memory, with MPs across the political divide giving their backing to proposed law changes after a House of Commons debate earlier this month. MPs backed the Social Housing Bill in the Commons - as well as amendments put forward by the government following our campaign.
Assumptions had been made - on the basis of seeing a bucket - that the family practiced ritual bathing and the report said the inquest heard the family had a 'lifestyle of boiling food in pans on the stove'. The report, in terms of tenants, said a 'culture of othering' was found - described as 'a pattern of exclusion and marginalisation'. The 2021 review also 'showed a propensity by staff towards making the residents responsible for the situation', it added.
One resident asked whether he could have work done to his garden, as a neighbour was having fencing put up and a new gate, but was bluntly told he wasn't entitled as 'RBH don’t do gardens without any further explanation'. The review of tenants, however, was carried out by telephone - no actual visits to properties took place. The report found the interviewer often asked leading questions and comments were passed on about families, including 'it is likely they feel the cold of an English winter'.
Another complaint referenced concerns by a resident about 'the impact of the extensive mould on the entire family and the respiratory problems they are experiencing'. The report said: "Photographs sent to us show the extensive damp in the living room, kitchen and bedrooms, with a surveyor informing the resident that this is because of the leak through the chimney caused by a tree growing out of the mortar.
He said: "People's lives and welfare depend on the landlord knowing who they are, what home they live in, and what has been done previously – this information must be reviewed regularly and updated through a tenancy audit or similar method." RBH has now written personalised letters to residents encouraging the reporting of damp and mould and provided updates on planned property works. It has also started a stock condition survey.
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