UN Experts Condemn Systemic Failures at Major UK Social Landlord, L&Q
A damning report to the UK government details years of uninhabitable conditions for one family, raising concerns about widespread neglect in England’s social housing sector.
United Nations experts have issued a scathing condemnation of L&Q, one of England’s largest social landlords, alleging a pattern of systemic failures to ensure habitable living conditions for its tenants. The concerns, outlined in a letter to the UK government, center on the case of Sanjay Ramburn, a 55-year-old disabled tenant, and his family of five who endured years of appalling conditions in a property in Forest Gate, east London.
The UN special rapporteur on adequate housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, along with two other experts, detailed how the Ramburn family lived for several years without electricity, experiencing four ceiling collapses and severe damp and mould that negatively impacted their health. The children reportedly developed breathing issues, tinnitus, and skin problems, while Ramburn himself suffered severe mental health issues, compounded by reported racial harassment and antisocial behavior from a neighbor that he claims L&Q failed to address.
“L&Q and several other residential developers and housing associations managing social housing in England appear to systematically fail to ensure or restore the habitability of their rentals,” the letter states. The experts expressed “serious concern” that L&Q’s delayed or insufficient action, issues also documented by the housing ombudsman, could be violating tenants’ human rights, specifically the right to an adequate standard of living, including housing.
The allegations follow a 2023 inquiry by the housing ombudsman, which found a “prolonged period of decline” in L&Q’s service and ordered the association to pay £142,000 in compensation to residents.
Ramburn, who moved into the property in December 2013, described a harrowing experience of repeated disrepair. “I started to get water from my kitchen and half the ceiling collapsed,” he recounted. “I was waiting nearly four years without half the ceiling in the kitchen and than in 2017 the other half collapsed. Then they came, they fixed the ceiling but when they fixed it at the same time the bathroom ceiling collapsed.” He added, “I always have to send them emails, beg for them to do somthing. I’ve been through hell in this place with L&Q, I’ve had anxiety, hopefully now they will do something about it.”
According to the letter, a ceiling collapse in the living room in November 2023 injured Ramburn, his son, and youngest daughter. While L&Q offered £2,271 in compensation, Ramburn deemed the amount “wholly inadequate.” In September, the family was offered temporary rehousing in another L&Q property, which Ramburn reluctantly accepted despite its limitations – “only one small bedroom for five persons, and may have similar issues with poor maintenance as the other flat.”
Matt Foreman, the executive group director of customer services at L&Q, acknowledged the difficulties experienced by Ramburn, stating the organization is “working closely with him to resolve the situation and have made several offers of temporary accommodation in the area so we can complete the repairs needed.” he also noted the existence of a dedicated antisocial behaviour team that investigated Ramburn’s case and will provide support if further incidents occur. Foreman emphasized that L&Q operates within the UK’s established social housing regulatory and complaints framework, offering avenues for residents to seek support.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government called the claims “shocking” and expressed sympathy for the Ramburn family. The spokesperson affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and decent homes and condemned all forms of racism.They also highlighted the implementation of “Awaab’s law,” designed to address unsafe conditions like damp and mould.
The case underscores growing concerns about the state of social housing in England and the urgent need for systemic reform to protect the rights and well-being of vulnerable tenants.
