The living conditions of a 67-year-old Birmingham pensioner have been condemned as 'inhumane' after he was left residing in a council property riddled with damp, mould, and rat infestations.
A Home in Disrepair
John Marshall, a widower from Winson Green, has been living in a state of severe disrepair for 16 years. The situation reportedly worsened following the sad death of his wife, leaving him to cope alone in the deteriorating property.
His home now suffers from multiple outstanding repair issues, including significant damp and mould growth on the walls, a mice and rat infestation, and exposed electrical wires in the boiler cupboard. The property also has no functioning heating system.
Health Concerns and Council Promises
Mr Marshall's plight was highlighted by a concerned family friend, who expressed outrage at the conditions. The friend stated, "I cannot believe that a man, a pensioner with cancer and heart troubles, diabetes, has to live like this."
Despite claims that Birmingham City Council and social services have been made aware of the issues and have promised help, no tangible action has been taken to rectify the dangerous and unsanitary living environment.
Public Outcry and Accountability
The case has sparked anger, with the family friend drawing comparisons to new legislation protecting children from damp and mould, questioning why a vulnerable elderly man is not afforded the same standard of living.
Photographs from inside the Winson Green home, taken on 7 November 2025, vividly illustrate the extent of the damage and squalor, showing holes in the walls and pervasive black mould.
The situation raises serious questions about the responsibility of local authorities to maintain safe and habitable social housing for their most vulnerable tenants.
