The United Kingdom has introduced new legislation which will require social housing landlords to investigate and correct issues of damp and mould in properties within strict time frames. The amendments to the Social Housing Regulation Bill will be known as ‘Awaab’s Law’, and will require the fixing of health hazards in social housing within explicit timeframes.
The move to legislate the issue comes after a two-year-old child, Awaab Ishak, died from exposure to damp and mould in his home which was part of a social housing development. The organisation responsible for the development, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, has been blocked from receiving government funding until it has shown proof that is a responsible landlord.
The announcement was made by the Housing Secretary on a visit to Rochdale last week, where he met with the Ishak family.
The consultation process will begin later this year, which will dictate laws that will form part of tenancy agreements, making landlords accountable under the law if they fail to provide homes in decent condition. It is part of wider reform in the United Kingdom social housing sector which will work to improve standards provided to tenants and increase accountability for landlords.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said that “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. The government has already committed to a rapid review of existing guidance on the health impacts of damp and mould, followed by new guidance tailored to the housing sector, to be published by Summer 2023.”