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Government announces plans to crack down on ‘rogue’ social housing landlords as part of Awaab’s Law

Landlords will have to fix emergency repairs in 24 hours under the new proposals.

Emily Sergeant - 9th January 2024

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.   

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

Read more:

• ‘Landmark’ social housing bill named in tribute to Rochdale toddler Awaab Ishak becomes law
• Coroner rules Rochdale toddler Awaab Ishak’s death was caused by mould in his home
• Inquest hears ‘freezing’ Bury woman died from hypothermia after refusing to turn heating on

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