Credit: iStock Urban78
The first phase of Awaab’s Law to improve standards in social rented housing has been implemented.
The law was introduced by the previous Conservative government following two-year-old Awaab Ishak’s death in 2020 from a severe respiratory condition resulting from prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s Rochdale flat.
The law obliges social landlords, including housing associations and local authorities, to fix emergency health and safety hazards within 24 hours of being reported.
Social landlords must also investigate significant damp and mould within 10 working days of being notified, and make the properties safe within five working days.
For both types of hazards, landlords must confirm the findings to tenants in writing within three working days of inspection.
As part of the reforms, social landlords now must also consider the circumstances of tenants that could put them at risk – including young children and those with disabilities or health conditions. Alternative accommodation must be offered if homes cannot be made safe within the required timeframes.
The government has committed to extending this protection to the private rented sector through changes to the Renters’ Rights Act, which was given Royal Assent in October.
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