THE London Renters Union (LRU) has launched a campaign calling on Brent council to tackle dangerous housing in the city’s second poorest borough.

The union says an estimated 10,000 privately rented homes in Brent present a serious health hazard to residents.

It is calling on the local authority to ensure no-one faces another winter of damp and mould.

Median monthly rents in Brent have reached up to £1,400 — an average of 57 per cent of incomes — with the borough having highest rate of eviction of any local authority in England and Wales last year, said the LRU.

Earlier today, supporters held a demonstration outside of Sathy Property Services, responsible for letting out housing in a state of serious disrepair to two LRU members. 

One said: “I'm paying £1,900 a month for a two-bedroom flat but my house has had leaks, damp and mould for two years now. 

“It’s so bad that it’s giving my children asthma. 

“It shouldn’t be this difficult to get our repairs done.”

Another added: “The damp and mould in my flat is so bad that I've developed asthma and serious lung problems.”

Jacob Wills, organiser at LRU, said: “Nobody should have to pay for a home that makes them sick.

“But thousands of people across Brent live in housing that presents a serious risk to their health.

“In the wake of the death of Awaab Ishak, it’s clear that the consequences of unsafe housing can be deadly.”

Ministers in January announced a review of landlord guidance on the health risks of damp and mould following two-year-old Awaab’s death in December 2020 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

A Brent council spokesperson said: “A decent standard of living is at the heart of Brent’s housing strategy across all sectors - the private rented sector, new build properties and existing council homes.

“We investigate all reports of damp and mould made to us, and will chase rogue landlords all the way to the courts.

“Over the past five and a half years, Brent has inspected 8,753 properties, resulting in 5,995 seeing an improvement in condition as a consequence. We urge all private rental tenants with damp and mould issues to report the matter to their landlord and if the landlord fails to respond, please get in touch with us.

“We currently have 4,893 licenced HMOs and have licenced more HMOs than any other council in London. To date this year, we have carried out in the region of 50 unannounced inspections.

“Landlords renting out homes in Dollis Hill, Harlesden and Kensal Green and Willesden Green, will legally be required to have a licence from 1 August this year as part of our plan to improve living standards for tenants in Brent.”