The tragic passing of a 15-week-old infant residing in a Camden apartment managed by the housing association Notting Hill Genesis sparked a protest outside the organization’s headquarters on Friday.

Akram Mohammed passed away in February, and his parents believe that persistent dampness and mould in their home played a role in their son’s demise. They expressed frustration, stating that “no one helped” them from the housing association despite their repeated pleas for maintenance.

Patrick Franco, a representative from Notting Hill Genesis, commented, “We understand this situation is complex and are committed to collaborating with the appropriate authorities during their investigation.”

An inquest into the baby’s death commenced at St Pancras Coroner’s Court but has been postponed, with a conclusion expected later this year.

Aiat Mohammed, Akram’s mother, fondly described her son as “a joyful, playful baby,” while his father, Abdushafi, had aspirations for him to become a doctor.

In late February, the parents noticed their baby struggling to breathe. In a state of panic, Abdushafi rushed Akram to the hospital cradled in his arms.

Mrs. Mohammed recounted, “I kept telling myself that everything would be fine, trying to maintain my composure.”

“There were over eight doctors and more than five nurses surrounding him,” she added.

The couple firmly believes that the “chronic mould and damp” in their flat contributed to the tragic outcome.

Mr. Mohammed stated, “The home was plagued with mould and dampness; I tried to convey this numerous times, but no one came to our aid.”

The coroner has yet to determine the official cause of death.

Documents obtained by the BBC reveal that the family and the Pillion Trust charity made several requests to resolve the issues of damp and mould in their residence.

Following a complaint lodged by the family with the housing association in 2024, Notting Hill Genesis acknowledged that their “standards have dropped regarding responsiveness” and extended a £175 compensation offer for delayed communications and the ongoing damp and mould concerns.

Pictures captured by the family’s legal representatives a week after Akram’s passing depict significant mould and damp in their one-bedroom apartment.

Mrs. Mohammed expressed that Akram was severely affected by these living conditions.

“If those issues had been addressed, perhaps he would have had a chance to survive,” she said.

“When he was just a few months old, I noticed he had trouble breathing, with a loud wheezing sound. But over time, his condition deteriorated.”

She further stated, “No one could stay there, even for a moment. The air was unbearable and thick with mould.”

Family attorney Mark McGhee noted that the coroner’s officer informed them that the pathology report indicated the cause of death was acute pneumonia linked to a late-onset Group B Strep infection, compounded by dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disorder. The BBC has not received verification of this document.

Akram’s mother remarked, “We all understand that someone with pneumonia cannot survive in a mould-infested environment.”

The family’s solicitors have initiated a disrepair claim against Notting Hill Genesis, and an independent evaluation by TLB Services concluded that the housing association failed to uphold its obligation to ensure the property was “fit for human habitation.”

The inspection revealed mould in every room and noted that “defective” extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom were contributing to excessive moisture in the air.

The report recommended £3,055 worth of repairs, including mould washing and fixing the extractor fans.

Notting Hill Genesis claimed they conducted a comprehensive mould wash in response to complaints of dampness and mould in April 2024, removing existing mould from the apartment.

Additionally, they stated that in October 2024, just before Akram’s birth, Mr. and Mrs. Mohammed reported new issues related to dampness and mould, which the housing association is addressing.

Mrs. Mohammed stated poignantly, “I believe my baby’s death could have been prevented.”

“All we wanted was a healthy living environment.”

The couple has received support from their children’s school and various charities following their son’s passing.

Mr. Franco, the CEO of Notting Hill Genesis, expressed, “We are deeply saddened by the untimely loss of Akram Mohammed.”

“We will continue to offer support to the family during this challenging period.”

A spokesperson for Camden Council remarked, “Akram’s passing is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”

“We have consistently communicated with Notting Hill Genesis, who assure us they are working diligently to find a suitable home for the family.”