Social media ads launched to urge tenants to complain about poor social housing
Tenants will be encouraged to complain about shoddy and dangerous social housing under a government campaign launched today.
Advertisements using images of black mould and leaking ceilings will run across social media platforms.
The “Make Things Right” campaign encourages residents to complain to their landlord before escalating to the Housing Ombudsman.
The advice will be aired on dozens of commercial radio stations, as well as on stations broadcasting in Arabic, Polish, Bengali and other languages.
Users of apps and platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Nextdoor will also see and hear the ads.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
It comes after an outcry following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in his home.
The Mirror has been campaigning to end the housing hell after the death of two-year-old Awaab IshakThe Government has since put forward Awaab's Law, which requires social housing landlords to fix reported hazards such as mould in a "timely fashion" or rehouse tenants in safe accommodation.
It is part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill - which is on the verge of becoming law - that will include new powers to issue unlimited fines to landlords who fail to meet standards.
Social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa said: “What we’ve learnt is that social housing in the UK is far from where it should be, and tenants have been monumentally let down whilst enduring terrible living conditions.
“It’s clear things must change, this campaign is the start of that. The campaign makes clear that disrepair issues from damp and mould to collapsed ceilings must be fixed.
The adverts will run until the end of April (DLUHC)“Tenants have a right to complain and be listened to, treated with dignity, fairness and respect but most of all live in a house they can call a home.”
Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: “Too many social housing tenants are being let down and ignored. This government is determined to stand up for them and give them a proper voice.
“They deserve a decent, safe and secure home, just like everybody else. So we are shining a light on rogue landlords that ignore their tenants time and again and allow families to live in disrepair.
“This campaign will make sure tenants know their rights and how to make a complaint – giving them the confidence to go to the Ombudsman and ensure action is taken.”
The adverts will run across England from Monday until the end of April.
Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'
The Mirror has been campaigning for urgent action to end the housing hell experienced by millions of people.
It is calling for vast improvements to social, council and private homes on the rental market - with millions currently not meeting the Decent Homes Standard.
Latest figures show there are 3.5 million homes that do not meet the Decent Homes Standard.
This includes 2.2 million properties that have at least one Category 1 hazard such as mould, asbestos or dangerous electrics and 941,000 that have serious damp.
Follow Mirror Politics on , , and .
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
