The boss at a housing group which failed to realise one of its residents was dead for two-and-a-half years has apologised.
Worried neighbours repeatedly told Peabody that there was a foul smell and maggots at one of the flats, but it only tried once to contact the tenant and cut off her gas.
Tragically Sheila Seleoane, who was 58, was found dead in her flat in Peckham, South London, in February.
She had to be identified by dental records, an inquest into her death heard, with experts estimating she died in August 2019.
Reports about the stench from her home were made in 2019 and the company boss has admitted failings.
Chief executive Ian McDermott told the BBC : "We weren't asking the fundamental question: is Sheila OK?".
He continued: "We've apologised to the family. We're deeply sorry for what happened.
"The biggest apology though I think does go to the residents of Lord's Court. They did tell us that something was wrong."
Police discovered Ms Seleoane's body in a "skeletal state" after receiving a phone call from a neighbour, an inquest into her death heard.
Southwark Coroners Court was told the former medical secretary last paid her rent in August 2019.
She then fell behind on her payments and an application was later submitted for the rent to come out of her benefits.
Wells Chomutare, director of neighbourhoods at Peabody, said: "We had the picture, we did not then join the dots in order to paint the picture.
"We are really not expected to force entry unless it's a very extreme situation."
Ms Seleoane was in the recovery position when police finally discovered her body.
She had to be identified through dental records although officers did not find her death suspicious.
According to a GP report, Ms Seleoane had a telephone appointment on August 14, 2019, and said she felt "wheezy and sometimes out of breath".
An appointment was made for her to come to the GP the next day but she never attended, the court heard.
Giving evidence, Detective Sergeant Scott Fisher said he was called to the flat on February 18, 2022, when police found Ms Seleoane's body.
He said: "In the doorway across the threshold was the remains of what we now know was Sheila Seleoane. I would describe her as lying in the recovery position used in first aid. They were skeletal remains.
"She had on what I imagine once was blue pyjamas and a white top and she was lying with her head towards the door on her right shoulder."
He told the inquest he did not think Sheila had been injured and the flat did not appear to have been burgled.
He added: "In the bathroom there was soiled clothing which indicated to me poor health or ill health.
"Further to that there were various medications that an internet search suggested various ailments.
"In my opinion she passed around August 2019. The balcony door was open and the heating was switched off which indicated to me warmer months.
"The prescription medication ended around the summer of 2019. There was a receipt in her bag for a shop from August 2019.
"When looking in the fridge, the shortest shelf life was a dessert which was partially eaten and that's approximately August 2019."
