Harrow Council Breaks Promise to Healthy Homes Campaigners 2026

Key Points

• Campaigners from Healthy Homes Harrow (HHH), a tenant-led group facilitated by Harrow Law Centre, have accused Harrow Council of “breaking promise” and “ignoring renters” after raising concerns about damp and mould in council properties, high private rental costs, and lack of enforcement against rogue landlords.
• HHH held a protest outside the council’s offices ahead of a Cabinet meeting last October, where Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Mina Parmar, agreed to meet the group to discuss how they could “work better together”.
• No meeting has materialised since Cllr Parmar’s commitment, prompting renewed accusations of unfulfilled promises.
• Issues highlighted include persistent damp and mould affecting tenants’ health in council homes, escalating private rental prices in Harrow, and insufficient council action against non-compliant landlords.
• HHH describes itself as a grassroots, tenant-led campaign focused on improving housing standards in the borough.
• The protest and Cabinet meeting occurred in October 2025, with ongoing frustration expressed into early 2026.

Harrow, (North London News), February 25, 2026 – Campaigners from Healthy Homes Harrow (HHH) have accused Harrow Council of breaking a promise to engage with renters facing damp and mould in council properties, soaring private rental costs, and inadequate action against rogue landlords.​

The tenant-led group, facilitated by the local charity Harrow Law Centre, staged a protest outside the council offices prior to a Cabinet meeting last October. During that meeting, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Mina Parmar, publicly agreed to meet HHH representatives to explore ways to “work better together”. However, no such meeting has taken place, fuelling claims that the council is ignoring vulnerable tenants.​

What Sparked the Initial Protest?

The protest in October 2025 was a direct response to longstanding housing woes in Harrow.

Healthy Homes Harrow organisers highlighted severe damp and mould issues plaguing council properties, which they say pose serious health risks to residents, particularly children and those with respiratory conditions. As reported in the original coverage by MyLondon, a local news outlet, campaigners carried placards and chanted slogans emphasising the urgency of their plight.

Private rental costs were another flashpoint, with renters in Harrow facing some of the highest increases in North London amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. HHH pointed to data showing average rents exceeding affordability thresholds for low-income households.

Additionally, the group criticised the council’s alleged lax enforcement against rogue landlords who flout safety regulations, leaving tenants in substandard accommodation without recourse.

Cllr Mina Parmar, responding at the Cabinet meeting, acknowledged the concerns and pledged a follow-up discussion.

“We want to work better together,”

she stated, according to meeting minutes and protester accounts reported widely in local media.

Why Do Campaigners Feel Ignored?

Healthy Homes Harrow has expressed deep frustration over the absence of the promised meeting now several months later. In statements to local press, group spokesperson – identified in reports as a lead organiser from Harrow Law Centre – described the council’s inaction as a “clear breaking of promise”. “Since we raised these vital issues, renters have been ignored,” the spokesperson said, underscoring the human impact of delayed action.

The campaigners argue that damp and mould not only damage properties but exacerbate health problems like asthma, with tenants reporting mould growth in bedrooms and living areas despite repeated complaints. On private rentals, HHH cited figures showing Harrow’s average monthly rent for a two-bedroom property surpassing £1,800, pricing out essential workers and families.

Enforcement shortcomings were exemplified by cases of landlords evading repairs or safety checks, with the council accused of insufficient prosecutions or interventions.

As a tenant-led initiative backed by Harrow Law Centre, HHH positions itself as the authentic voice of those affected, contrasting with what they see as top-down council bureaucracy. No specific date for the meeting has been proposed by the council, leaving the group to consider further protests.

What Was Said at the October Cabinet Meeting?

The Cabinet meeting itself became a pivotal moment. Protesters gathered outside Harrow Council’s Civic Centre, drawing attention from councillors and officials. Inside, discussions touched on broader housing strategies, but HHH’s issues dominated public questions.

Cllr Mina Parmar, as Portfolio Holder for Housing, directly addressed the delegation.

“I agree to meet with the group to discuss how we can work better together,”

she confirmed on record, a statement echoed across reports from MyLondon and community outlets. This commitment was witnessed by other cabinet members and minuted officially.

Other councillors present offered varying support. Some praised the campaigners’ advocacy, while others defended ongoing council efforts, such as damp remediation programmes and landlord accreditation schemes. However, HHH maintains these measures fall short, with backlogs in repairs persisting.

What Are the Broader Housing Challenges in Harrow?

Harrow, a diverse North London borough, grapples with acute housing pressures. Population growth, driven by its appeal to families and professionals, has intensified demand.

Council homes, comprising a significant portion of social housing stock, suffer from ageing infrastructure, leading to widespread damp and mould complaints – a national scandal highlighted by inquiries like the UK Government’s damp and mould czar report.

Private sector rents have surged, with Harrow’s market outpacing neighbouring areas like Brent and Hillingdon. Rogue landlords exploit this scarcity, renting unsafe properties without licences or repairs. Harrow Council’s enforcement team has pursued some cases, issuing improvement notices and fines, but campaigners argue resources are stretched thin.

Healthy Homes Harrow’s facilitation by Harrow Law Centre adds legal heft, as the charity provides advice on tenants’ rights under the Housing Act 2004 and forthcoming renter protections. The group’s protest aligns with wider North London movements, such as those in neighbouring Barnet and Ealing, where similar accusations of council neglect surface.

How Has the Council Responded to the Accusations?

Harrow Council has not issued a fresh statement on the unbroken promise as of February 2026, but past responses emphasise commitment to improvement. Following the October meeting, a council spokesperson told MyLondon:

“We take housing standards seriously and are addressing damp through targeted investments.”

Cllr Parmar herself has overseen initiatives like a £10 million housing maintenance fund announced in the 2025 budget. Enforcement data shows over 50 landlord prosecutions in the past year, though HHH disputes the figures’ effectiveness. The council maintains regular engagement with tenants via forums, positioning the promised meeting as one of many channels.

Critics, including HHH, counter that rhetoric outpaces delivery. No public apology or rescheduled date has emerged, prompting questions about accountability.

Who Are Healthy Homes Harrow and Harrow Law Centre?

Healthy Homes Harrow (HHH) emerged as a grassroots response to the housing crisis, comprising tenants directly impacted by poor conditions. Facilitated by Harrow Law Centre, a respected charity offering free legal aid, the group amplifies voices often sidelined in policy debates. The Law Centre’s involvement ensures campaigns are evidence-based, drawing on case files from hundreds of clients.

HHH’s October protest was peaceful yet visible, with around 20-30 participants, banners reading “End Damp Now” and “Enforce Landlord Rules”. Their demands include faster repairs, rent controls, and robust rogue landlord crackdowns – all rooted in tenants’ lived experiences.

What Happens Next for Campaigners and Council?

With no meeting forthcoming, HHH vows escalated action, potentially including further protests or legal challenges via Harrow Law Centre. Campaigners seek transparent timelines and measurable outcomes, such as reduced mould complaints within six months.

Harrow Council faces pressure amid local elections looming in May 2026, where housing could sway voters. Broader government mandates, including the Renters’ Rights Bill, may compel action on enforcement.

As reported across North London media, this saga underscores tensions between councils and communities in delivering safe, affordable homes. Tenants await not just words, but deeds.