Awaab Ishak law sees new guidance for social landlords after boy's mould death

12 September 2023 , 21:37

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Awaab Ishak died just over a week after his second birthday (Image: MEN Media)

New guidance on the health risks that damp and mould pose has been given to social landlords following the death of toddler.

Awaab Ishak died in December 2020 aged just two after prolonged exposure to mould at his family home in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. A medical link was established between the damp and mould and his death.

This week, housing secretary Michael Gove wrote to social housing providers outlining the legal responsibilities of landlords. It also emphasised that damp and mould should not be dismissed as 'lifestyle'.

In a letter sent on Monday, Mr Gove said: "The guidance published today makes clear that it is the responsibility of all landlords to identify the underlying causes of damp and mould - such as structural issues or inadequate ventilation - and to find long term solutions.

Awaab Ishak's father hands in a petition at 10 Downing for Awaab's Law (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

"The guidance also sets out how living in a home with damp and mould can significantly affect the physical and mental health of tenants and outlines how people with certain health conditions, children and older adults are at greater risk of more severe health impacts."

London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard

Mr Gove added that landlords should 'adopt the best practices' that are set out in the new guidance, reports reports Manchester Evening News. A campaign for Awaab's Law was set up and led to 177,835 signatures demanding change in his memory.

An amendment was made to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill to meet most of the campaign's asks. The Bill became an Act of Parliament in the summer and a consultation to set new strict time limits on repairs and inspection for damp and mould in social housing is due to begin.

The new guidance issued this week meets one of the campaign's demands by outlining the risk to tenants' health that mould can face, to help ensure reported issues are dealt with as a priority.

Awaab and his family lived in a property that was part of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). Earlier this year the Housing Ombudsman found that RBH had a culture of "othering" which saw staff hold prejudices and "lazy assumptions" about asylum seekers and refugees.

A "wholly unacceptable" attitude among some staff members was also discovered. It said there was a pattern of "exclusion and marginalisation" based on different identities.

Stephen Topping