Early lessons from Awaab’s Law cases central to ending disruption caused by roof leaks 

We have released our latest ‘learning from severe maladministration’ report. It focuses on roof leaks, an emerging issue within our casework. 

The reasons for service failures offer insights for managing the introduction of the new Decent Homes Standard and, while the cases pre-date Awaab’s Law, they reflect some of the early lessons from cases investigated under the law.  These include inadequate risk assessments and unexplained delays. 

The report looks at the impact that roof leaks can have on daily life. This includes disruption to bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms.  

One case involves water running down the wall of a child’s bedroom for 2 years. Another resident recovering from chemotherapy treatment find their bedroom unusable because of a leak. 

Residents are also forced to empty buckets when it rains, and a child’s TV catches on fire in one case. 

The report also looks at the added complexity of home ownership, as well as the interplay with major works. 

The landlords mentioned in this report are: 

• East Devon Council 

• London Borough of Haringey 

• London Borough of Lambeth 

• London Borough of Wandsworth 

• L&Q 

• Riverside 

• Sanctuary 

• Southern Housing 

• Stonewater