A man with schizophrenia wasted away in a “cold, unkempt and unsanitary” flat because nurses thought moving him would violate his human rights, an inquest has heard.

The death of 59-year-old Mayan Coomeraswamy, who had hypothermia when he died in his Balham flat, has led mental health authorities across south-west London to review the way they operate.

Anthony Coombe, the dead man’s brother, told Westminster Coroner’s Court last week: “My brother could be possibly living at this moment if somebody had moved him.

“Every London council has to learn from this, to accept something has failed.

"I strongly believe that for my brother, the system has failed him.”

Mr Coomeraswamy, who came to the UK from Sri Lanka in 1970 to study chemical engineering, was found dead in his flat at Thurleigh Court, Nightingale Lane in Balham, on January 9 last year.

Neighbours in the building, which is home to Vivienne Westwood’s son and a number of young professionals, expressed their shock at his living conditions.

His boiler was broken, the bathroom ceiling had collapsed, electrical wires were exposed and the walls were dirty and damp.

For years his family and the landlord had wanted to clean the flat, but Mr Coomeraswamy refused to leave for work to take place, the inquest heard.

Nurses from South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust felt they should respect his right of choice since he had full mental capacity and was not refusing medication.

However, Coroner Dr Paul Knapman, said they should have used powers under the Mental Health Act and National Assistance Act to intervene, and this week wrote to the care service minister to request clearer guidelines for frontline staff on mental health legislation.

He said: “I would be surprised if there weren’t a number of similar cases of people living in awful circumstances.

"It’s an ongoing problem people have out there.”

He said Mr Coomeraswamy died of ischemic heart disease with ulceration in his stomach – common to hypothermia victims.

Recording his verdict Dr Knapman said: “He was found in a cold, unkempt and unsanitary flat and I say he has died from natural causes aggravated by neglect.”

The trust recently held a conference for 60 key adult care professionals and offered clearer guidance for workers.