UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Social landlords in England must fix emergencies within 24 hours under Awaab’s law, protecting tenants after toddler Awaab Ishak died from mould exposure.
As reported by The Guardian, the first phase of Awaab’s law takes effect in England, protecting tenants from hazardous social housing after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from mould exposure.
How do new rules protect tenants after Awaab Ishak’s death?
New rules require landlords to fix urgent health and safety issues within 24 hours of being reported. They must investigate major damp and mould problems within 10 working days.
Under the new law, landlords are also required to make homes safe within five days and provide tenants with a written report within three days.
The death of toddler Awaab Ishak came after prolonged mould exposure in his family’s rented Rochdale home, managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.
The push for Awaab’s Law came after campaigning by his family and the Manchester Evening News.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the reforms will boost safety and improve living conditions for tenants in England’s 4 million social homes.
Under the new rules, landlords must consider tenant risks, including young children, disabilities, or health issues. If homes cannot be made safe promptly, landlords must offer tenants other accommodation.
Those failing to follow new rules face court action, enforcement orders, and financial penalties, including compensation.
Phase 2 of Awaab’s law, set for 2026, will strengthen tenant protections against hazards like extreme temperatures, fires, electrical issues, and hygiene risks. Phase 3, scheduled for 2027, will extend protections to all remaining hazards under the housing health and safety rating system.
The government aims to extend Awaab’s law to private rentals, enshrining it in the renters’ rights bill passed through Parliament on 22 October.
What did the survey reveal about damp, mould, and condensation in homes?
After Awaab’s law takes effect in England, a UK-wide poll shows 23% of social renters and 21% of private renters report problems with damp, mould, or condensation in their homes.
A Censuswide survey of 3,982 adults for the Health Equals campaign highlights that exposure to damp, mould, and cold in homes is harming the health of UK residents.
Campaigners call for stricter enforcement of social landlord rules to be swiftly extended to the private rented sector.
What did Steve Reed say about Awaab’s Law?
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said,
“Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in, and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death.”
He added,
“Awaab’s family has fought hard for change and their work to protect millions of tenants’ lives will live on as a legacy to their son. Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.”
What did Gavin Smart say about Awaab’s Law and tenant safety?
Gavin Smart, the chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing, stated,
“We welcome Awaab’s law as a significant step in ensuring that all social housing tenants live in safe and decent homes. It is the culmination of committed efforts by Awaab Ishak’s family and provides an important new framework for addressing serious health and safety concerns, beginning with damp and mould.”
He added,
“Social landlords have been preparing for this change and have new processes in place to respond to these new requirements. We also welcome the new funding to enhance tenant engagement, a vital investment to help build cultures of trust, accountability and safety in social housing.”
What did Kate Henderson say about housing quality and Awaab’s Law?
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, stated,
“The quality and safety of residents’ homes is housing associations’ top priority, and today represents an important milestone in our sector’s drive to ensure all our homes are the standard residents deserve.”
He said,
“Since 2020 housing associations have increased spending on repairs and maintenance by 55%, with plans to spend a further £50bn over the next five years. This is why 90% of our homes meet the decent homes standard, more than all other tenures.”
Mr Henderson stated,
“But as landlords rooted in social purpose, we want all of our residents to enjoy the highest standards of comfort, safety and quality. This is why, following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, we have supported this law from the beginning and have worked closely with the government to ensure its introduction will provide the most positive outcomes for residents.”
He added,
“These reforms, alongside the government’s 10-year funding settlement and commitment to a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing, put housing associations on the sure footing needed to both continue investing in existing homes while having the confidence to build new ones. This will ease overcrowding pressures, which are a major contributor to damp and mould, and get to the root of addressing the housing crisis once and for all.”
What is the UK renters’ rights bill?
The UK’s renters’ rights bill fundamentally reforms the private rented sector in England by abolishing “no-fault” evictions, introducing a new tenancy structure, and strengthening tenant protections.
The bill states that all existing fixed-term tenancies will convert to periodic (rolling) tenancies. Tenants can end their tenancy with two months’ notice, while landlords can only end it by using one of the specified grounds for possession.
It also introduces several new protections, including the right to challenge unreasonable rent increases and the ability to request pets, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.
