The Housing Ombudsman has forced Southwark Council to pay £5000 in compensation, and made a finding of “severe maladministration” in a damp and mould case that ran for 8 years,
leaving the resident with a collapsed lung.

The resident experienced a recurring leak in their flat, and despite multiple reports, the council did not follow its own policy. The council then “refused to respond to the resident’s complaints”, despite the Ombudsman ordering action.

During those 8 years, the resident experienced significant distress to their mental and physical health, and was forced to wash in their kitchen sink in an effort to reduce the damp.

The Ombudsman has made similar findings several times before, including most recently where it was highlighted in a report on the “human cost” of temporary accommodation.

This comes in the wake of the Regulator of Social Housing conducting an investigation into Southwark’s housing department, and the council’s self-referral to the Regulator over its electrical safety programme.

Commenting, Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:

“This is not an isolated incident. If Southwark’s Labour Council were my landlord I would not be voting for them. Far too often we encounter residents facing similarly appalling situations, where the council refuses to listen or take action. This neglect is directly harming people’s health and quality of life. Southwark Liberal Democrats are calling for more face-to-face inspections, accessible ways for residents to report housing issues, and a locally trained workforce to tackle these problems”