All homes should be safe: a personal journey from accountancy to advocacy

A career rooted in numbers and a personal quest for safety

For the past decade, I have devoted my career to the charitable sector, thriving on the satisfaction that comes from ensuring financial stability for organisations that serve vulnerable populations. There’s a unique joy in strategising and crunching numbers, knowing my efforts contribute to a legacy of support for those in need. However, when the workday ends, my focus shifts dramatically from spreadsheets to the urgent need for safe housing, a passion ignited by personal experiences and the sheer disbelief at the state of building safety.

Photograph: iStock

The long road to home ownership

My journey began, like many, in rented accommodations during my university years. These ranged from acceptable to outright hazardous. The worst experience featured a mushroom the size of a lampshade growing on my bathroom ceiling, directly above the toilet. That was my breaking point, compelling me to finally step onto the property ladder.

It took nearly a decade to save enough for a deposit, a delay largely due to the significant expenses of obtaining my degree in London and the costs of pursuing a career in accountancy. Hard work was never a deterrent, and financial prudence was ingrained in me, as my parents, immigrants from Tanzania and Kenya, exemplified tenacity and self-reliance in providing for our family. Their journey inspired me to persist against all odds.

With a stable job in banking in London, I embarked on the quest for home ownership, only to find that affordable properties were either far from a reasonable commute, extremely cramped, or in dire need of renovation. Disheartened and feeling a sense of urgency – partly due to the recurring bathroom mushroom – I turned to the internet for solutions.

Typing “how do I afford a home in London” into a search engine led to a plethora of marketing materials directed at people like me: stable career, sensible deposit, and a desire to live close to work. The glossy brochures and enticing slogans – “You could own a home like this,” “Imagine living here,” “This can be your reality” – were overwhelmingly appealing. They painted a dream scenario where my first home would be a new build, a reality I had never imagined possible.

The reality of first-time home buying

By 2010, I was accepted onto a shared ownership scheme near my workplace. The allure of new builds was irresistible, with marketing that promised a dream home within my reach. The speed of construction, materials used, and safety inspections weren’t my immediate concerns – after all, such matters were assumed to be thoroughly vetted by the professionals involved.

Receiving the keys to my first home was a moment of immense pride and gratitude. As a Hindu, I blessed each room with holy water, giving thanks for the security and stability this home represented. Initially, apart from minor issues, I was content. However, troubling signs soon emerged. My service charge doubled in 2012/13, and my attempt to purchase the remaining share of my home was refused. These were early red flags.

The increasing service charge was a clear indicator that something was amiss. The substantial rise began to strain my finances, chipping away at the savings I had earmarked for early mortgage repayment. This financial burden was a wake-up call, signalling that my initial excitement might have blinded me to underlying issues.

A mother’s instinct and Grenfell: the turning point

In 2015, after the birth of my first child, I began noticing safety risks in our sixth-floor apartment, concerns that escalated dramatically after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. The fire, which claimed 72 lives, exposed glaring weaknesses in building safety regulations. Shortly after, our block was inspected, and we were found to have similar cladding to Grenfell’s.

The fear this discovery instilled was profound. I had two small children, and the thought of trying to escape from the sixth floor in the event of a fire was terrifying. The “stay put” policy seemed ludicrous in such a scenario. Living with this knowledge was a nightmare. I experienced constant panic, sleepless nights, and a sense of helplessness as we were essentially trapped in a potentially deadly home.

Reflecting on the historical context, it is appalling that significant legislative changes have often only followed catastrophic events. The 1666 Great Fire of London led to the 1667 Rebuilding Act, and the Lakanal House fire in 2009 prompted a review of building regulations, yet actionable change was limited. It’s distressing that the Grenfell tragedy, much like its predecessors, had to happen for the spotlight to turn on systemic flaws in building safety.

Living through remediation: a daily struggle

The living conditions during remediation were unbearable. For five months, our building was stripped of its cladding, leaving us exposed to the elements under a flimsy membrane. The summer heat turned our apartment into an oven, with temperatures often reaching 43°C. The winter was equally harsh, as the building, stripped of its cladding, could not retain heat. We relied heavily on heating, which led to exorbitant utility bills, and faced a perpetual darkness making living conditions unbearable. Communication from our Housing Association was abysmal, with critical information often arriving after the fact, and little to no information about the progress or schedule of the remediation work.

The constant presence of contractors robbed us of privacy, making everyday activities like nursing or changing my children an ordeal. The intrusion of contractors, the noise, and the extreme temperatures added to the stress. Our balcony, covered in debris and cigarette butts, became unusable.

I vividly remember the grating, screeching sound of aluminium cladding being torn from the building, the clanking of tools, the loud voices, shouting, and inappropriate language. This was horrific at most times, and my breaking point came after three weeks of sleepless nights with the children and then contractors working in the morning. There was a great deal of stress, frustration, and anger. I requested countless times that work on my floor was scheduled to allow for some downtime, but there was no room in the schedule for consideration to new parents.

The waking watch, a safety measure intended to monitor for fires, proved unreliable. Often, we found the watch asleep or distracted, which eroded any sense of security we might have had.

Our only lift was regularly unavailable as it was utilised for contractors or out of order while works were carried out. Without notice or warning, I would be forced to use the stairs (six flights) with a pushchair and two children.

Following calls to the Housing Association, I found an empathetic ear who suggested I ask the contractors to help me carry my bags and pushchair up the six flights. A more considered approach would be to understand the vulnerability of residents and take this into account when planning works. Being watched regularly struggling with two children, a pushchair, and shopping in the stairwell was intimidating and could have been an unsafe situation.

Seeking solutions and finding a voice

By mid-2018, the cladding was finally replaced, and remediation was completed. The removal of scaffolding that had enveloped our building for a year was a significant relief. However, the joy was short-lived. With our third child on the way, it was clear that our home was no longer fit for purpose. We attempted to sell in 2020, only to be confronted with yet another obstacle: the need for an EWS1 form, which our building lacked.

Deepa Mistry is chief executive of Building Safety Crisis Ltd. Photograph: Building Safety Crisis Ltd

The stress levels at this point went through the roof. I had trapped my family in a home that wasn’t suitable for our needs, with potential Leaseholder Loans of £200,000. I risked bankruptcy, losing my first and only home, and with it, my licence to practise accountancy. I worried about the safety of my three children and kept a go-bag by the door (just in case). I couldn’t sleep and practised evacuations in my head. The anxiety and pain this caused is unimaginable. My home, my sanctity, my security, my safe place. No longer any of those because I was in this cruel game of Limbo with the regulatory bodies, freeholder, and what felt like the world. Safe one moment, unsafe the next, no one could categorically tell me.

It was at this time I filmed a documentary for Panorama called The Home I Can’t Afford, which focused on the pitfalls of shared ownership and leasehold and reflected on the impact of the building safety crisis. It felt like no amount of public attention to the situation of my block would move us any further forward, but I didn’t stop trying. It felt that although we were remediated, one of the very few at this stage, we dropped to the bottom of the pile for an EWS, as there was more urgency to fix the vast estates of post-2000 constructions the Housing Association carried.

Building a community and campaigning for change

In response, I co-founded Building Safety Crisis with Peter Mengerink, creating a platform to connect affected residents and advocate for systemic change. Our work, including collaborating with Steve Day and the Earl of Lytton, led to significant improvements in the Building Safety Act, removing proposed Leaseholder Loans and addressing Special Purpose Vehicles.

This campaign is deeply personal, rooted in my own experiences and the stories of countless others facing similar crises. It’s about ensuring that no one else has to endure what we did. Safety should be a fundamental guarantee, not a luxury.

Through Building Safety Crisis, we have connected thousands of residents, amplifying our collective voice. We have advocated for fair treatment of leaseholders, transparency in communication from housing associations, and comprehensive reform in building regulations. Our efforts have culminated in tangible changes, such as the removal of Leaseholder Loans from the Building Safety Act, a significant victory for all affected homeowners.

Personal stories and collective advocacy

The power of our campaign lies in the personal stories of those affected. Each narrative adds depth to our cause, illustrating the real-world impact of policy decisions and systemic failures. For instance, one of our members, a single mother of two, shared how she was trapped in a high-rise building with unsafe cladding, unable to sell her flat or afford the remediation costs. Her story, like mine, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform and robust enforcement of building safety standards.

Through our advocacy, we have engaged with policymakers, participated in public consultations, and collaborated with other resident groups to amplify our message. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of affected residents are heard and that their concerns are addressed at the highest levels.

The role of media and public awareness

Media coverage has played a crucial role in raising public awareness about the building safety crisis. Documentaries, news articles and social media campaigns have shed light on the struggles faced by affected residents and the systemic failures that led to the crisis. This increased visibility has put pressure on policymakers and housing associations to take action.

However, media attention alone is not enough. It must be coupled with sustained advocacy and strategic campaigning to drive meaningful change. This is where Building Safety Crisis has made a significant impact, bridging the gap between public awareness and policy action.

Legal battles and policy wins

The legal battles we have fought have been arduous and costly, but they have also yielded significant victories. One of our major achievements was the successful challenge to the Government’s proposal to fund remediation through Leaseholder Loans. This proposal would have placed an unbearable financial burden on leaseholders, many of whom were already struggling with high service charges and other costs.

By mobilising residents, engaging legal experts, and working closely with supportive policymakers, we were able to secure the removal of Leaseholder Loans from the Building Safety Act. This victory not only alleviated the immediate financial pressure on leaseholders but also set a precedent for future policy decisions.

Mental health and community support

The mental health impact of the building safety crisis cannot be overstated. The constant stress, anxiety and uncertainty have taken a toll on the mental wellbeing of many residents. Building Safety Crisis has become more than just a campaign group; it is a support network for affected residents. We have created safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences, seek advice and find solace in the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggle. This sense of community has been invaluable in helping residents cope with the challenges they face.

Looking forward: hope for a safer future

My hope is that sharing my story provides insight into the real-life impact of building safety failures. It underscores the importance of involving residents in decision-making processes, prioritising their safety and wellbeing over cost-cutting measures.

I envision a future where safety standards are not just met but exceeded, where homes are built with care and integrity, and where residents have a voice in the organisations that shape their living environments. This vision requires a collective effort from policymakers, housing associations, developers and residents alike.

The need for systemic change

The building safety crisis has exposed deep-rooted issues within the construction and housing sectors. To prevent future tragedies, we need systemic change that addresses these issues comprehensively. This includes stricter building regulations, robust enforcement mechanisms and greater accountability for those involved in the construction and maintenance of residential buildings.

One of the key areas for reform is the enforcement of building regulations. Currently, there is a significant gap between the regulations on paper and their implementation in practice. This gap must be bridged through stronger oversight and more stringent penalties for non-compliance.

Resident involvement and empowerment

Residents must be empowered to play a central role in the decision-making processes that affect their homes. This means ensuring that they have a say in the management of their buildings, access to transparent information, and the ability to hold housing associations and developers accountable.

Empowering residents also involves providing them with the resources and support they need to advocate for their rights. This includes legal assistance, access to technical expertise and platforms for collective action. By strengthening the voice of residents, we can create a more equitable and accountable housing sector.

Building a legacy of safety and trust

The ultimate goal of our advocacy is to build a legacy of safety and trust in the housing sector. This means creating a culture where safety is prioritised at every stage of the construction and maintenance process, from design and planning to inspection and remediation. It also means fostering trust between residents, housing associations and policymakers, based on transparency, accountability and mutual respect.

Achieving this vision requires a long-term commitment to reform and continuous improvement. It involves learning from past mistakes, adopting best practices and staying vigilant to emerging risks. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has access to safe, secure and affordable housing.

Final words

From a devoted charity CFO to a relentless building safety advocate, my journey reflects a commitment to ensuring that everyone has a safe place to call home. The stakes are too high to ignore, and the time for change is now. Let’s build a future where safety, not just aesthetics or profit, is at the heart of every decision in the housing sector. I am currently back in the rental market with a home for my family in the Midlands, and have finally obtained an EWS1 certificate. The shared ownership property is marketed for sale. I hope to relieve the pressure of paying for two homes with a swift sale but am still no further forward from being released from this burden.

My story is just one of many, but it illustrates the profound impact that building safety issues can have on individuals and families. By sharing our experiences and advocating for change, we can make a difference. Together, we can create a housing sector that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of its residents, ensuring that no one else has to endure the pain and hardship that we have faced. A start to this is advocating for more residents to be represented on the boards of housing providers.

As we look to the future, let us remember that home should be a place of safety, security and peace. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this fundamental right is upheld for all. Thank you for reading, and I hope my story inspires you to support this vital cause.

Deepa Mistry is a senior finance professional and STEM ambassador, who serves as CFO, Trustee and NED in the not-for-profit sector. As CEO of Building Safety Crisis Ltd, she passionately advocates for protective legislation, drawing from her first-hand experience in a post-Grenfell world. Follow her at:

@Deepa60650354

Follow and support the Building Safety Crisis campaign at:

buildingsafetycrisis.org

linkedin.com/company/buildingsafetycrisis

@BuildSafeCrisis