The Housing Ombudsman has launched an investigation into Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) following reports of three 'high or medium risk' complaints about damp and mould. It comes in the aftermath of Awaab Ishak's inquest, which heard that the two-year-old died following prolonged exposure to mould which led to fatal breathing difficulties.
The case has sparked a national conversation about the way housing associations deal with mould, with Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway telling the inquest social landlords should be more 'proactive', while calls have been growing for RBH chief executive Gareth Swarbrick to resign. The Manchester Evening News is also campaigning for Awaab's Law, which would compel social landlords to act on damp and mould issues in set timeframes.
In a letter to Mr Swarbrick, the ombudsman said he had become aware of three more serious cases involving damp and mould. He has now launched an investigation into the social landlord - using powers which allow the ombudsman to grill RBH staff and conclude whether the firm is failing in its duties.
