One of England’s largest social landlords has systematically failed to ensure the liveability of its rental properties, UN experts have said.
In a letter to the UK government, they cited the case of a disabled tenant, Sanjay Ramburn, 55, who they say lived without electricity for several years with his family of five at an L&Q Group property in Forest Gate, east London. He experienced four roof collapses, as well as severe dampness and mold that affected his health.
The children developed respiratory problems, tinnitus and skin problems. The letter said Ramburn, who reported racial harassment and anti-social behavior at the hands of her upstairs neighbour, which she said was ignored by L&Q, suffered serious mental health problems.
The letter from the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, and two other UN experts said: “L&Q and many other residential developers and housing associations managing social housing in England appear to be systematically failing to ensure or restore their rental habitus… We wish to express our serious concern that the delay, inadequacy or lack of action by L&Q to address the issues raised by Mr S Ramburn and other tenants, as also documented by the Housing Ombudsman, is a The problem may have a significant negative impact on their enjoyment of human rights, particularly the right to an adequate standard of living, including housing.
In 2023, L&Q, London’s largest housing association, was ordered to pay £142,000 to residents after an investigation by the ombudsman identified a “prolonged deterioration” in its service.
Ramburn, who lived in the flat in December 2013, said: “I started draining my kitchen and half the ceiling collapsed. I waited for about four years without half the ceiling in the kitchen and then in 2017 the other half collapsed. Then they came, they repaired the ceiling but at the same time as they fixed it the bathroom ceiling collapsed.
“I always have to send them emails, beg them to do something. I’ve been through hell with L&Q at this place, I’ve been worried, hopefully now they’ll do something about it.”
The letter said that, according to information received, the ceiling in the living room collapsed in November 2023, injuring Ramburn, his son and youngest daughter. L&Q offered Ramburn compensation of £2,271, but he rejected the offer as “grossly inadequate”.
It said that, in September, Ramburn and his family were offered temporary relocation to another building owned by L&Q while the previous apartment was to be repaired, which he reluctantly accepted despite the fact that it “has only one small bedroom for five persons, and may have the same problems with poor maintenance as other flats”.
Matt Foreman, executive group director of customer services at L&Q, said he was sorry for the difficulties experienced by Ramburn, adding: “We are working closely with him to resolve the situation and have made a number of offers of temporary accommodation in the area so we can carry out the necessary repairs. We have a dedicated anti-social behavior team which has investigated Mr Ramburn’s case, and we will support him if there is a future incident.”
She said the organization had responded to the letter explaining that it operates within the UK social housing regulatory and complaints framework, which “provides clear routes for residents to seek support if they are not satisfied with their landlord’s response”.
NewA Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “These claims are shocking and our sympathies go out to Mr Ramburn and his family.
“We are clear that housing providers must provide safe and decent homes for residents and all forms of racism are inexcusable.
“Through the Law of Awab we are taking decisive action to crack down on unsafe conditions like damp and mold and make people’s homes safer.”
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