Brent Council ordered to pay £5,200 after family with autistic child left in mouldy home for over two years
A North London council has been compelled to pay a family more than £5,000 following a damning investigation that revealed they were housed in unsuitable temporary accommodation for over two years. The property, described as mouldy and mice-infested, posed significant health and safety risks, particularly for the family's child with autism.
Family's plight in hazardous living conditions
The father, referred to as Mr X in the report, had been urging Brent Council to relocate his family due to fears for his children's health. The accommodation suffered from damp, mould, leaks, and a mice infestation, alongside stairs and windows that could not be secured. This environment was deemed especially perilous for their autistic child, who lacked a sense of danger and required constant supervision.
An investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) was launched after Mr X complained about the council's failure to address these disrepair issues. The Ombudsman found that Brent Council failed to properly consider the suitability of the temporary accommodation and did not provide any meaningful response to the family's complaints over an extended period.
Council's inadequate response and prolonged neglect
In September 2023, the family was moved from interim B&B accommodation into a second-floor maisonette, despite medical advice indicating it was unsuitable. The property had two double bedrooms for five family members, including three children under ten, which was inadequate as the autistic child needed their own room. Safety concerns were heightened by unsecured windows, through which the child reportedly threw objects and climbed walls.
Between September 2023 and February 2025, Mr X continuously raised concerns about the property's condition, but the council's response was negligible. A review in February 2025 concluded the accommodation was not ideal and promised to seek alternative housing, yet no further action was taken, leading Mr X to escalate the matter to the Ombudsman in April 2025.
Ombudsman's ruling and compensation details
The Ombudsman determined that the family had lived in unsuitable accommodation for more than two years, ordering Brent Council to apologise and pay £5,200 for the 26-month period. Additionally, the council must provide £200 per month for up to six months until a more suitable property is found. As of December 2025, the family remained in the same accommodation, highlighting ongoing failures in the council's housing management.
This case underscores broader issues in temporary housing provision, particularly for vulnerable families. Brent Council did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication, raising questions about accountability and transparency in local authority housing services.
