Govt adds change to bill in memory of boy who died in mouldy flat in bid to improve social housing

The government has tabled an amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill forcing landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould in their properties within strict new time limits.

Awaab’s Law will be added as an amendment to the legislation in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in the flat where he lived with his parents in Greater Manchester.

The new law aims to “make sure no other child, or anyone else, dies due to mould in their home”.

It will force social housing landlords to act quickly when problems arise.

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A watchdog found that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) displayed a lack of urgency in dealing with damp and mould across its properties even after Awaab’s death.

The government has blocked funding to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to build new homes until it can prove it is a responsible landlord.

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Landlords must act now over mould after death of Awaab Ishak, says watchdog

Housing Secretary Michael Gove made the announcement on a visit to Rochdale today where he met Awaab’s family and the new chief executive at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Awaab’s parents had been campaigning for the law following the inquest into their son’s death.

A consultation will be launched later this year to set the timeframes within which landlords will have to act to investigate hazards and make repairs.  

Awaab’s family want the timeframe to be 14 days to investigate and seven days to make repairs.

The new rules will form part of the tenancy agreement, so tenants can hold landlords to account by law if they fail to provide a decent home. 

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The law will also mean that where conditions are so severe that repairs cannot be made, tenants will be moved into a new property.

Announcing the move, Mr Gove said: “The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened.

“He was inexcusably let down and his family repeatedly ignored. I want to pay tribute to Awaab’s family for their tireless fight for justice over the last two years.

“Today we have announced tough new laws to force social landlords to fix their homes within strict new time limits.

“Those landlords who continue to drag their feet over dangerous damp and mould will face the full force of the law.

“Our Social Housing Bill will enshrine tenants’ rights in law and strengthen the Housing Ombudsman and Regulator’s powers so that poor social landlords have nowhere to hide.

“Awaab’s Law will help to ensure that homes across the country are safe, decent and warm.”

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Following the inquest, a spokesman for RBH said the announcement by the regulator “recognises that failure and the mistakes we have made”.

“We accept this judgment and we are already working closely alongside the regulator to address their concerns and meet their expectations,” the spokesman added.

Mr Gove had promised to “honour Awaab’s memory” back in December by introducing measures “that will go further to deliver urgent action when people complain about damp and mould and make sure the rights of tenants are respected”.

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