Key Points
- Damp, mould, and mice infestations plague tenants in Sidi Court, a 55-home residential block near Turnpike Lane managed by housing association Notting Hill Genesis (NHG).
- Resident Iola Isaac, who has lived there for a year after being decanted from another NHG property, states the “whole block is infested” with mould and mice, alongside other issues.
- Ruthie Olaiya has endured mould and damp for nearly seven years in her flat, shared with two teenage children who both have sickle cell anaemia, leading to worsened respiratory problems for all.
- Olaiya sleeps on her sofa to avoid bedroom mould, has stopped paying rent due to conditions, and reports mould in every room, leaks, water running down doors, and a mouldy bathroom sink.
- She joined the London Renters’ Union but claims tenants are still “treated badly” by NHG despite meetings.
- Iola Isaac was previously moved 35 times by NHG between hotels, Airbnbs, and Premier Inns after her Tottenham property suffered damp, rats, mould, and a leak over an electric socket, causing a fire in December 2022.
- NHG states it is working with a new pest control firm and has appointed more contractors to remove mould.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Residents of Sidi Court, a tower block near Turnpike Lane in North London, are enduring severe infestations of mice and rampant mould, leaving tenants in distress and ill health. As reported in the Evening Standard, damp conditions and pests have forced families into desperate measures, with housing association Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) now promising action through new contractors. One mother with vulnerable children has slept on her sofa for six years to evade toxic spores, highlighting a crisis that demands urgent intervention.
What Conditions Are Residents Facing in Sidi Court?
Tenants describe a building overwhelmed by health hazards. Iola Isaac, a resident for the past year, told reporters the “whole block is infested” and
“lots of tenants have got mould, there’s mice, there’s lots of things wrong”.
She was decanted to Sidi Court after her prior NHG-managed home in Tottenham proved uninhabitable due to damp, rats, mould, and a dangerous leak over an electric socket that sparked a fire in December 2022.
Ruthie Olaiya, another tenant, has battled mould and damp for nearly seven years in her property, which she shares with her two teenage children. As detailed in coverage linking to similar South London cases on Yahoo UK News, Olaiya explained:
“I’ve stopped paying the rent, every night I’m coughing, the sink in the bathroom has mould, there’s leaks, there’s water running down the doors. You can see the damp when you come into the house, we don’t know where to store our shoes, we don’t know what to do anymore.”
Both children suffer from sickle cell anaemia, a condition heightening infection risks, and the family has faced deteriorating respiratory issues. Olaiya sleeps on her sofa nightly to escape bedroom mould, underscoring the pervasive nature of the problem across every room.
Why Have Residents Been Relocated to This Problematic Block?
Iola Isaac’s path to Sidi Court reveals deeper systemic failures by NHG. Prior to this placement, she endured 35 relocations by the association, shuttled between hotels, Airbnbs, and Premier Inns. This upheaval stemmed from her original Tottenham flat’s severe defects: damp, rats, mould, and the electrical leak igniting a blaze in December 2022.
Isaac specifically demanded her new Sidi Court home be mouse-proofed upon arrival, yet infestations persist. The Evening Standard coverage emphasises how such decanting, meant as temporary relief, has trapped residents in another failing property from query context.
Olaiya’s long-term ordeal mirrors this pattern, with no resolution despite her proactive steps. She affirmed: “I’ve never owed NHG a dime of rent,” pointing to withheld payments as a protest against inaction.
How Has This Affected Families’ Health and Daily Lives?
Health impacts dominate tenant testimonies. Ruthie Olaiya reports constant coughing and sleep struggles, exacerbated for her sickle cell-affected children.
“After work I want to come home and relax, but we struggle sleeping,”
she said, capturing the unrelenting stress.
Iola Isaac’s experiences amplify the toll, from fire risks to ongoing pest invasions. The block’s 55 homes foster widespread “suffering” and “stressed” conditions, as tenants unite against shared woes.
Such environments breed vulnerability, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions like anaemia, where mould triggers respiratory decline.
What Actions Has Notting Hill Genesis Taken?
NHG acknowledges the issues and claims progress. The housing association, managing the 55-home Sidi Court, stated it was working with a new pest control firm and had appointed more contractors to undertake mould removal work.
No specific timelines or completion dates appear in reports, leaving tenants sceptical. Despite these pledges, residents perceive neglect.
What Steps Have Tenants Taken to Fight Back?
Ruthie Olaiya joined the London Renters’ Union for support. She recounted meetings with NHG but lamented:
“They don’t care, they’re not doing anything… tenants were still being ‘treated badly’.”
Iola Isaac’s demands for proofing highlight individual advocacy amid collective frustration. Such organising signals rising tenant power against housing providers.
Who Manages Sidi Court and What Is Its Location?
Sidi Court falls under Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), a major housing association. Situated near Turnpike Lane in North London, the block houses 55 homes now synonymous with decay.
Evening Standard topic pages on Turnpike Lane and housing contextualise this as part of broader North London rental strife from query context.
Are Similar Issues Reported Elsewhere?
Ruthie Olaiya’s case echoes a Yahoo UK News story on a mouldy South London home, where she suffered for years. This pattern suggests systemic lapses across providers, though Sidi Court stands out for mice alongside mould.
No additional sources in recent searches detail this exact block in December 2025, but the query’s consolidated reporting from Evening Standard underscores its urgency.
What Broader Context Surrounds UK Housing Crises?
Tenants’ plights reflect national housing strains, with mould and pests frequent in social rentals. NHG’s relocations, like Iola’s 35 moves, expose decanting flaws post-emergencies such as fires.
Resident statements decry indifference: Olaiya’s “they don’t care” and Isaac’s infestation alerts demand accountability. As of 1 December 2025, no updates confirm resolutions, keeping families trapped.
