New Delhi: An inquest was informed that a housing association in the United Kingdom continued to collect rent from a tenant even though she had been dead in her home for more than two years.
Sheila Seleoane, 58, had to be recognised by her dental records when her skeletal bones were discovered on the sofa in her Peckham apartment’s living room in February. Peabody Housing Society has expressed regret for what transpired. The purpose of the inquest was to discover how Mr. Seleoane died. Due to the severe stage of bodily decay, the post-mortem report was unable to determine the reason of Ms. Seleoane’s death. The woman had Crohn’s disease and had experienced intestinal inflammation, it was also revealed before the South Coroner court in London, where the inquest was place.
“Death is always sad. It is difficult to imagine living undiscovered for more than two years in 2022 “Coroner Julian Morris finished the inquest with these words. Due to the unusually long period of time Ms. Seleoane’s body remained at the residential area, Lord’s Court, the case received media attention. When Ms. Seleoane saw a doctor in August 2019, it was the last time she was seen alive.
The housing association was criticised by an independent inquiry for failing to recognise the tenant’s demise. After the woman fell behind on her payments, Peabody submitted an application to deduct the rent from her social benefits. Additionally, they stopped providing her with gas in June 2020 after failing to receive an answer from a check.
Residents had often contacted the housing association and the police about Ms. Seleoane, it was revealed at the inquest. Although the police made two visits to her home, Peabody was informed incorrectly by a police controller that she had been seen alive and healthy.
