New regulations aim to ensure timely responses to housing hazards, preventing tragedies like the case of Awaab Ishak.
In a bid to crack down on neglectful social landlords failing to provide safe housing, the Government unveiled plans today to enforce Awaab’s Law. This initiative, prompted by the tragic passing of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from Rochdale due to respiratory complications caused by extensive mould in his residence, seeks to implement transformative reforms in social housing to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove introduced the Awaab’s Law consultation, proposing stringent timeframes for social housing providers to promptly address hazardous conditions such as dampness and mould. The proposed regulations outline mandatory time limits: a 14-day window for landlords to investigate hazards, followed by repairs to commence within 7 days and emergency fixes to be completed within 24 hours. Failure to comply may lead to landlords being taken to court and ordered to compensate tenants.
Moreover, landlords are expected to maintain transparent records, demonstrating their adherence to the new timeframes, eliminating any tendency to procrastinate in rectifying tenants’ living conditions.
Michael Gove emphasized, “The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened…Today is about stronger and more robust action against social landlords who have refused to take their basic responsibilities seriously for far too long.”
Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, expressed hope that Awaab’s Law would prevent other families from enduring similar anguish, emphasizing the necessity for landlords to heed tenants’ concerns.
Campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa echoed these sentiments, stressing the urgency to address the widespread issue of damp and mould in households, highlighting the need for stringent enforcement and effective implementation of the proposed law.
The introduced measures empower tenants to pursue legal action against landlords failing to address hazardous living conditions, marking a significant step forward in elevating housing standards.
While acknowledging the notable reduction in non-decent social homes since 2010, from 20% to 10%, the Government remains committed to further enhancing social housing standards. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act, enacted last year, equips housing regulators with enhanced authority to hold rogue landlords accountable, including the power to levy unlimited fines and conduct emergency repairs with minimal notice in severe cases.
In conjunction with Awaab’s Law, the Government is refining tenant rights and avenues to challenge landlords, with forthcoming directives aimed at the Regulator to support tenants in understanding and exercising their rights.
This initiative represents another stride in addressing systemic issues identified post-Grenfell Tower, aiming not just to improve housing safety but also to enhance tenant-landlord relationships in social housing.