Landlords face crackdown over dangerous damp and mould under Awaab's Law

09 January 2024 , 00:01

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Awaab Ishak died after exposure to mould at his home in Rochdale in 2022 (Image: MEN Media)

Rogue landlords will face strict new time limits for dealing with dangerous hazards such as damp and mould under government plans.

It follows the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould at his home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. An inquest into the toddler's death heard his home was "unfit for human habitation".

Under Awaab's Law, which was passed by MPs last summer, the government said it will clamp down on social landlords who fail to provide safe homes for tenants.

A consultation launched by ministers on Tuesday proposes new legal requirements for landlords to investigate emergency hazards including damp and mould within two weeks. They will also be forced to begin fixing issues within a further 7 days and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. The government insists landlords who fail to comply could be dragged to court and ordered to pay compensation.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: "The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened. His family have shown courageous leadership, determination and dignity to champion these changes and now it's time for us to deliver for them through Awaab's Law. Today is about stronger and more robust action against social landlords who have refused to take their basic responsibilities seriously for far too long.

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“Alongside Awaab’s Law, our landmark Social Housing Act will drastically improve the quality of life in social housing, granting residents a proper voice to fight those who think they can cheat the system and ensuring rogue landlords face the full force of the law.” We will force them to fix their homes within strict new time limits and take immediate action to tackle dangerous damp and mould to help prevent future tragedies."

Last year grim figures showed hundreds of thousands of kids were being forced to live in substandard homes with damp, mould, and infestation issues.

Social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa added: "As we know many families across the country are still living in homes with damp and mould, creating misery but more worryingly risks their health and safety. I'm pleased to see Awaab's Law reach the consultation phase and hope that it goes far enough to prevent other families going through the tragedy Awaab's family have had to. It's crucial the government are able to make sure this law has teeth and is enforced for it to work as intended."

Ashley Cowburn