Labour vows to extend Awaab's Law mouldy homes crackdown to private landlords

30 January 2024 , 11:06

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Labour vows to extend Awaab's Law mouldy homes crackdown to private landlords

Private landlords would be forced to deal with mould and damp under Labour plans to protect 1.6 million children growing up in unfit homes.

Angela Rayner pledged to fix a loophole in the Government's plans, compelling landlords in the private rented sector to eradicate mould and household hazards within a strict timeframe. The current legislation would only apply to social housing landlords - despite data from Citizen's Advice showing 1.6 million kids live in cold, damp or mouldy properties owned by private landlords.

The Government has promised to deliver Awaab's Law to crack down on social landlords who fail to provide safe homes for tenants. The legislation was named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould at his home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. An inquest heard his home was "unfit for human habitation".

Faisal Abdullah, the father of Awaab Ishak, campaigned for a change in the law (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Awaab Ishak died in 2020 after being housed in a home that was 'unfit for human habitation' (MEN Media)

Ms Rayner, Labour's Deputy Leader, said: "The private rented sector has widespread problems with damp, mould and cold, driven by the poor energy efficiency of privately rented homes. It is a no-brainer to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector and that is exactly what Labour will do."

Labour is urging the Government to back the plan in amendments to the Private Renters Bill, due to be debated in Parliament in February. A consultation on Awaab's Law launched earlier this month proposes forcing landlords to investigate hazards within two weeks, to fix issues within a further 7 days and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Rogue landlords who fail to comply could be dragged to court and ordered to pay compensation.

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The Ashton-under-Lyne MP also told Good Morning Britain that she had friends and family who were frightened to raise concerns about their living conditions in case they are made homeless. She said: "The problem we've got is a problem of supply. Many people are living in homes that they know are not good for their health and the health of their children. But they know that if they raise these concerns and the local authority condemns the property, that they'll end up homeless."

Ms Rayner warned that shortages of housing meant some people were being sent to other boroughs where there are more homes. She said: "Some families are ending up 20, 30 - even 200 miles away from where they live, so the children can't go to the local school. If they are in work they can't get to their job. So it has a real knock on effect on people."

Lizzy Buchan