Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Landlord fatal mould quiz
Watchdog to investigate three more complaints
THE landlord of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died of mould exposure is under investigation over multiple cases of damp and mould.
The Housing Ombudsman’s probe into Rochdale Boroughwide Housing follows three “high or medium risk” complaints from tenants about damp and mould.
The Mirror visited the Freehold Estate, where Awaab died in 2020, and found families still living with chronic mould and damp two years after the tragedy.
After Awaab’s inquest heard prolonged exposure to mould led to fatal breathing difficulties, RBH said urgent £1.2million work to install ventilation across the 376-property estate will start next month.
In a letter to the housing association’s chief Gareth Swarbrick, ombudsman Richard Blakeway wrote: “I asked my team to review open cases relating to the landlord, in particular damp and mould. I have been alerted to three complaints assessed as high or medium risk.
“I have instructed my team to expedite these investigations.
“We will be exercising our powers to conduct further investigation to establish if this complaint is indicative of wider failure within the landlord.”
Tory MP Chris Clarkson told the Commons that RBH was a “modern-day slumlord” after he was sent photos of another of its properties in nearby Middleton “caked in black mould and rising damp”.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove said this week it “beggars belief ” Mr Swarbrick was still in post. Mr Swarbrick said last night: “I want to start by saying how sorry I am to Awaab’s family for their loss – no apology will ever be enough. Having spoken to the Board, I can confirm that I will not be resigning.”
RBH said it would meet investigators “at the earliest opportunity to discuss these three cases”.
nick.sommerlad@mirror.co.uk @Nicksommerlad
I have been alerted to complaints assessed as high or medium risk RICHARD BLAKEWAY ON INVESTIGATION