Tenants living on the Nags Head Estate in east London are expressing frustration with their living conditions, describing themselves as being treated poorly and like peasants. Lorraine Branch, a resident of the estate, and other tenants have been struggling with mould and damp in their homes, leading to health issues such as respiratory illnesses. Despite previous repairs being described as quick fixes that did not adequately address the problems, Peabody, one of England’s largest housing associations, stated it had invested over £1m for improvements in 2024, although acknowledging that more time is needed to resolve all issues.
Lorraine Branch, who has lived on the estate for 14 years with her children, has taken action by rallying tenants, hiring lawyers, and enlisting the help of health professionals to address the ongoing issues with mould and damp. She highlighted the inadequate repairs that have only provided temporary solutions, leaving the underlying problems unresolved. Another tenant, who opted to remain anonymous, reported persistent issues of black mould in their flat, despite attempts by Peabody to clean the mould, it quickly reappeared, exacerbating the situation.
Fatima Tejani, a resident on the estate for 16 years, has experienced respiratory problems since moving in, attributing them to the poor living conditions. Concerns have been raised about the safety hazards posed by a combination of water and electricity, with worries about potential risks while asleep. The housing association provided dehumidifiers, but her children found it challenging to sleep in the damp environment. Collaboration with the health justice campaign charity Medact has shed light on the high rates of health problems among residents, which they believe are linked to the pervasive mould and damp in the properties.
Peabody’s managing director for north-east London, Tracy Packer, acknowledged the issues highlighted by residents and expressed her commitment to working with them to develop a plan for improvement. She emphasized the challenges faced in London’s housing market, including overcrowding and rising costs, which impact the quality of social rented homes. While efforts are being made to address the issues, new rules mandated by the government will require social housing landlords to address damp and mould more promptly starting in October, with eventual coverage extending to private landlords as well. Campaigners have called for stricter regulations following a tragic incident in which a two-year-old child passed away due to mould in their home
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
