‘Not good enough’: Islington housing boss apologises to residents living with mould and damp after campaigner highlights case of family in ‘uninhabitable’ conditions

Housing chief Cllr Una O’Halloran. Photograph: Julia Gregory

Embarrassed Town Hall bosses have ordered a review of all investigations into damp and mould  over the last two years after admitting the response to a family left in an “uninhabitable home” was not good enough.

Executive member for housing Cllr Una O’Halloran appeared before a scrutiny committee to apologise to any council residents whose homes are beset by damp and mould.

It follows revelations by housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa about the conditions endured by a Canonbury family who have had to move out of two bedrooms because of serious problems caused by a leak.

He said the family complained a year ago and the problems had not been dealt with.

“Mushrooms now grow from the bacteria where sewage has seeped through the walls and ceilings in the bedroom,” he said.

He told the Citizen he will be keeping a close eye on the repairs.

Cllr O’Halloran said: “This is not good enough, we should never have allowed it to happen.”

The council is now investigating what went wrong and urgently rehoused the family while repairs are carried out.

Officers said they are also contacting neighbours to check if they have similar problems.

They said: “We believe the cause of the ongoing water penetration at the property is in service distribution pipework that’s embedded in the concrete floor of the property above.

“It is absolutely unacceptable.”

They said staff visited and did repairs to the home but these were not effective and case was not escalated.

The upstairs neighbours are also being rehoused so the serious problems highlighted by Tweneboa can be put right.

Cllr O’Halloran pledged extra resources to tackle mould and damp problems and will review reported problems over the last two years.

Damp, mould and condensation complaints in Islington council homes account for five per cent of cases a year.

The council is also setting up a dedicated phone line and email for residents concerned about damp and mould. Residents can book surveyors and get advice from the new service.

It is also working with health experts to examine the impact on residents.

Cllr O’Halloran added: “It’s not good enough if your home is damp and you don’t feel safe, children are suffering and adults.

“We’ve got to get it right.”

The councillor, who is a former housing scrutiny member herself, told the committee: “We want you to hold us to account. We can’t go to other partners to hold them to account if we’re not putting our own house in order.”

Tweneboa responded on Twitter: “Really, really hope I don’t have to return and highlight any more cases of uninhabitable homes in Islington. Listen to the needs of your tenants. Don’t wait for ‘lessons to be learnt’.”