Yahoo News Baby living in mould-ridden West London flat 'born with a cold' due to mum's exposure
A family living in a mould-ridden West London flat has claimed their baby was born with a cold due to the poor condition of their home. The family, who are living in Hammersmith and Fulham though are under the care of Westminster City Council, added a health inspector told them the property is not safe for their young child.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the flat in the White City Estate there was clear damage to the walls and windows, and the air thick with the smell of mould. A Westminster City Council spokesperson said the local authority is 'very concerned' about the family's living conditions, and that it is working with the provider, Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), and the landlord, to arrange repairs to the property.
Fardus Miah, 39, and Tania Jahan, 34, moved into the property in December 2019, having been living in temporary accommodation in Leyton. The pair, who have three children one of whom has an Education Health and Care Plan, said they began struggling with disrepair not long after settling into their new home.
"The wall and windows were loose, water dripping from the ceiling in the kitchen, due to the maintenance of the property itself. They would do no work. There would be a flood coming through, leaking everywhere," Mr Miah said.
The family, who communicate with either Westminster or NHG but not directly with the landlord who owns the property, said they have been repeatedly requesting repairs be done to their home. Other than some works completed around a year ago, however, which kept the damp at bay for just a few days, they say nothing else has been done.
"I've lived here since 2019," Mr Miah said. "I know it's not safe. The first few months were okay. But after we came to winter, autumn, that's it. Everything changed."
'Me and my family are suffering'
The couple welcomed their third child, Younis, in December 2022. Ms Jahan claims that when he was born, Younis had a cold due to the conditions in their home.
She added that a health inspector from their local GP visited and told the family they need to move out, with the accommodation not suitable for a young child. In a letter sent to Westminster City Council from a health visitor at the Parkview Centre for Health and Wellbeing, dated February 2022 and seen by the LDRS, the living conditions of the family and their children were described as 'inadequate'.
One of the health visitor's notes reads: "There is extensive damp, throughout the property, black mould is present on the walls and the ceilings of every room, including the hallway. In some rooms the damp is so bad that the walls are wet, this is not just a health hazard but also poses an issue for the safety of the parents and the children. The damp has impacted the electrical circuits in the property. The electrical sockets in the hallway and kitchen are not working due to the wet walls."
Despite the concerns, Mr Miah said they have been unable to get further repairs done due to the works needing to be approved or requested by their landlord. The family was issued a letter by NHG late last year saying the landlord wishes to take back the flat, though they have yet to be formally evicted. They say they have asked Westminster to rehouse them, though have been told until they are evicted, they cannot be provided new accommodation.
The size of the flat is also proving difficult for the family. Mr Miah said he sleeps in one bedroom with their son, while Ms Jahan sleeps in the second bedroom with Younis and their daughter.
"The kids are cramped in a mouldy place, we can't go out anywhere, and it's a health and safety issue for the baby."
Ms Jahan added she is worried about the impacts the property is having on her children. "Me and my family are suffering," she said.
'Very concerned by the conditions'
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said when the family moved into the property, it had been inspected and was found to be safe and suitable accommodation. They added the council is currently in the process of securing alternative accommodation for the family.
"We're very concerned by the conditions this family are living in and have been working with Notting Hill Genesis, as well as the landlord, to arrange much needed repairs to the property as soon as possible," they said. "We are in touch with the family and urgently searching for appropriate alternative accommodation in the meantime."
A Notting Hill Genesis spokesperson said: "We sincerely apologise for the distress caused and are doing everything we can to support the family as we understand the serious implications on the baby's health.
"When the family moved into the property in December 2019 it was inspected and found to be safe, suitable accommodation. Last year, we completed extensive works to keep the home in good order, and raised the issue of the leak from the roof. More recently, we have arranged for the mould to be treated, for urgent repairs to the cupboards and for any other health and safety concerns to be identified.
"We did this to support the family, recognising their need to live in a safe, warm and comfortable home, and worked with the landlord to undertake the repairs as required in the lease agreement. We lease the flat from the landlord as part of our temporary housing offer, which involves partnerships with local councils to provide immediate accommodation for people on their waiting lists who urgently need a home but for whom no permanent option is yet available.
"More broadly, we remain committed to improving the quality of residents' homes and are investing £0.5 billion over the next 10 years into this, including work to tackle damp and mould where it is found."
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