Awaab’s Law – Stricter Measures Against Rogue Landlords for Safer Homes

New plans to clamp down on rogue landlords who fail to provide safe homes have been announced. The plans support the Government’s pledge to deliver Awaab’s Law.

Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, died from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in the flat where he lived.

The tragedy sparked widespread calls for change after an inquest heard how action to treat and prevent the mould was not taken – despite Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, repeatedly raising the issue with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).

Under proposals, which have been sent for consultation, social landlords must investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing with a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Those landlords who fail can be taken to court where they may be ordered to pay compensation to tenants.

Emergency repairs are defined in the consultation document as those that present a “significant and imminent risk of harm” and include gas leaks, broken boilers and electrical hazards such as exposed wires.

They also cover “significant” leaks and prevalent damp and mould that are impacting a resident’s ability to breathe.

Landlords will also be expected to keep clear records to improve transparency for tenants — showing every attempt is made to comply with the new timescales so that they can no longer delay rectifying people’s housing situations.

Speaking about Awaab’s Law, the two-year-old’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.”

Considering the feedback received, the government plans to introduce secondary legislation to implement Awaab’s Law as soon as practically possible, reflecting a commitment to timely action.

Awaab’s Law consultation will be open for eight weeks, and further details can be found here.