Government consults on legal requirements for social landlords to address hazards including damp and mould quickly – and in some cases within 24 hours
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has launched a consultation on the introduction of strict time limits for social housing providers requiring them to take swift action in addressing dangerous hazards such as damp and mould.
The move is part of plans to deliver ‘Awaab’s Law’, which is named after Awaab Ishak from Rochdale, who died at two years old from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in the housing association flat where he lived.
The proposals in the consultation include new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, begin fixing the issue within a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours.
Those landlords who fail could be taken to court where they might be ordered to pay compensation for tenants, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said.
It added that under the plans, landlords would also be expected to maintain clear records to improve transparency for tenants – “showing every attempt is made to comply with the new timescales so they can no longer create unnecessary delays to rectifying people’s homes”.
Michael Gove said: ““The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened. His family have shown courageous leadership, determination and dignity to champion these changes and now it’s time for us to deliver for them through Awaab’s Law.
“Today is about stronger and more robust action against social landlords who have refused to take their basic responsibilities seriously for far too long. We will force them to fix their homes within strict new time limits and take immediate action to tackle dangerous damp and mould to help prevent future tragedies.
“Alongside Awaab’s Law, our landmark Social Housing Act will drastically improve the quality of life in social housing, granting residents a proper voice to fight those who think they can cheat the system and ensuring rogue landlords face the full force of the law.”
Faisal Abdullah, Awaab’s father, said: “We hope that Awaab’s Law will stop any other family going through the pain that we went through. Landlords need to listen to the concerns of tenants and we support these proposals.”
The consultation, which can be viewed here, will run until 5 March 2024.
The Government is also analysing responses to a separate consultation on a proposed direction from the Secretary of State to the Regulator of Social Housing, using powers under section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 as amended.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 requires the Housing Secretary to give a direction to the Regulator for the purpose of securing that registered providers of social housing are required to provide their tenants of low-cost rental accommodation with information about their tenants’ rights and how their tenants can make a complaint.
The consultation sought views on a proposal to use this power to direct the Regulator to set standards relating to the provision of information to tenants on making complaints, tenants’ rights, and relevant regulatory requirements.
Harry Rodd
