New legal duties, known as Awaab's law, come into force in England on Monday, compelling social landlords to fix emergency health and safety hazards within 24 hours of reporting. The law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 after exposure to mould in his home on Rochdale's Freehold estate, managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.
Under the first phase, landlords must investigate significant damp and mould within 10 working days, make properties safe within five working days after inspection, and provide written findings to tenants within three working days. Landlords must also consider tenants' circumstances, such as young children, disabilities, or health conditions, and offer alternative accommodation if homes cannot be made safe in time.
Failure to comply can lead to court action, enforcement orders, and compensation payments. Housing Secretary Steve Reed stated: '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.'
A UK-wide survey by Censuswide for Health Equals found 23% of social renters and 21% of private renters reported problems like damp, mould, or condensation. Campaigners are calling for similar requirements to be extended to the private rented sector.
Phase 2 of Awaab's law, due next year, will expand protections to hazards including excess cold and heat, fire risks, and hygiene. Phase 3 in 2027 will cover all remaining hazards except overcrowding. The government has committed to extending the law to private renters through the Renters' Rights Bill, which passed Parliament on 22 October.
Gavin Smart, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, welcomed the law as 'a significant step' and noted that social landlords have prepared new processes to meet the requirements.
