Baby’s Tragic Death Sparks Anger Over Housing Disrepair In Camden

June 2, 2025

Housing Disrepair, Awaabs Law, Camden town — *Camden town Ariel View*

The devastating story of 15-week-old Akram Mohammed, who died after living in a mould-ridden social housing flat in Hampstead, north-west London, has become a tragic symbol of the housing disrepair crisis in the UK. His short life, marked by suffering and neglect, serves as a powerful call for immediate housing reform and accountability.

A Home No Child Should Be Raised In

Akram’s family lived in a severely overcrowded, one-bedroom flat in Jacaranda House. The property, managed by social housing provider Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), was infested with black mould and plagued by ventilation problems — conditions flagged repeatedly by the family over the course of nearly a year.

Despite more than 20 written complaints and interventions from legal advisers, teachers, and charities, NHG failed to carry out effective repairs. A mould wash in September 2024 proved inadequate, as the problem quickly resurfaced. An independent housing survey later confirmed mould in every room, malfunctioning extractor fans, and high levels of airborne moisture. The flat was officially deemed “unfit for human habitation.”

The Tragic Turning Point

In early 2025, Akram began exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. On 20 February, his concerned mother took him to the GP, where she was reassured that his symptoms were not serious. But within hours of returning home, Akram became unresponsive. He was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital where, despite the efforts of medical staff, he tragically passed away.

The trauma did not end there. His grieving parents were subjected to immediate police questioning — with his mother interviewed in the same room where her child’s body lay.

A Preventable Death?

The pathology report revealed that Akram had died from acute pneumonia caused by a Group B Streptococcus infection. It also noted contributing factors such as a dilated heart and a vitamin D deficiency. Though the mould was not directly blamed for the infection, healthcare professionals emphasize that prolonged exposure to poor living conditions can severely compromise an infant’s immune system, making them more susceptible to such infections.

Echoes of Awaab’s Law

Akram’s story has reignited public outrage over the slow implementation of Awaab’s Law, legislation introduced following the death of Awaab Ishak in 2020 under similar circumstances. Both children were of Sudanese heritage, both lived in social housing filled with mould, and both were failed by the system.

While Awaab’s Law aims to force landlords to fix hazardous conditions like mould within tight timeframes, full enforcement has been delayed until 2027. Campaigners warn that this delay is a critical failure, leaving thousands of families at risk.

A Community Demands Justice

“We just wanted a healthy environment to breathe,” said Aiat, Akram’s mother. The family, now relocated to temporary housing, continues to fight for justice. An official inquest into Akram’s death is scheduled for August 2025, with hopes that it will spur systemic change.

Akram’s story is heart breaking, but not unique. Thousands of tenants across the UK are trapped in similar living conditions: black mould, damp walls, faulty ventilation, and unresponsive landlords. These homes are breeding grounds for illness and tragedy, especially for vulnerable families with young children, elderly residents, or those with pre-existing health conditions who are hit hardest by unsafe housing.