Landlords must fix mouldy homes within 24 hours under Awaab’s Law, says Michael Gove

Rogue landlords will have to repair mouldy homes within 24 hours under a new push to improve social housing standards, Michael Gove has said.

Under new Government proposals, landlords will be expected to investigate hazards found within their properties within 14 days and start fixing within a further seven days.

Emergency repairs will have to be repaired within 24 hours, with tenants able to take their landlords to court should they fail to comply with the timescales.

The planned social housing reforms will be set out on Tuesday as part of a public consultation on Awaab’s Law, originally announced following the death of a two-year-old boy in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in December 2020.

Awaab Ishak died of a severe respiratory condition shortly after his second birthday, with a coroner concluding that his death was caused by “chronic exposure to mould” in his family’s flat.

Faisal Abdhulla and Aisha Amin, the boy’s parents, had repeatedly raised concerns to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) about the flat’s conditions but no action was taken, with the social landlord blaming the mould on “family lifestyle”.

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 Housing Secretary’s new proposals would also demand landlords keep clear records on reported hazards within their properties and attempts to resolve them.

Mr 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,” he added.

It comes as the Regulator for Social Housing will be given new powers to issue unlimited fines for landlords under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, which became law last year.

The regulator will also be able to enter homes with only 48 hours’ notice in the most severe cases.

Kwajo Tweneboa, a campaigner who has repeatedly exposed appalling conditions in social housing, on Tuesday expressed the hope that Awaab’s Law “goes far enough” to prevent further tragedies.

“As we know many families across the country are still living in homes with damp and mould, creating misery but more worryingly risks their health and safety.”

He added: “It’s crucial the Government is able to make sure this law has teeth and is enforced for it to work as intended.”

Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive of RBH, was ousted from his position “with immediate effect” in 2022 after refusing to voluntarily step down following Awaab’s death.

The Government blocked funding to RBH to build new homes until it could prove that it was a responsible landlord.