Plans to crackdown on “rogue” social housing landlords who fail to provide safe homes have been announced today as part of ‘Awaab’s Law’.
The plans are to be delivered as part of a ‘landmark’ new social housing bill – which was given the Royal Ascent to become law in July 2023 – named after Greater Manchester toddler Awaab Ishak, who tragically died as a result of prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home, a coroner ruled back in 2022.
Following Awaab’s tragic death, the Government has been pledging to deliver the new law – but today is the first time concrete plans to do so have been unveiled.
Under the consultation for the proposed new plans – which has been launched today by Housing Secretary, Michael Gove – social housing providers would be bound to strict time limits that force them to take swift action in addressing dangerous hazards, such as damp and mould.
Our landmark #SocialHousing Regulation Act receives Royal Assent to become law today.
We are improving the quality of social homes across England and clamping down on rogue landlords through new enforcement powers.
— Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (@luhc) July 20, 2023
It proposes new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing within a further seven days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours.
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Landlords who fail can be taken to court, and may be ordered to pay compensation for tenants.
On top of this, all social housing landlords will be expected to keep clear records to improve transparency for tenants by showing every attempt is made to comply with the new timescales, so they can no longer “dither and delay” to rectify people’s homes.
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And if all of that didn’t sound promising enough as it is, through the measures announced today, tenants will also be able to take their landlords to court if they fail to fix dangerous hazards.
Mould in Awaab Ishak’s family home in Rochdale / Credit: GMP
The Government says this “builds on the progress already made to drive up social housing standards”.
Speaking as the proposals went out for consultation today, Housing Secretary Michael Gove commented: “The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened.
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“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.”
Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, added: “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.”
Featured Image – GMP / Family Handout
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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
9th January 2024 
