Awaab Ishak: Plan to force landlords to tackle mouldy homes

Rogue social housing landlords could be forced to repair mouldy homes within 24 hours as part of government proposals after a toddler's death.

Campaigners have demanded reforms after two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from mould exposure at his Rochdale home in 2020.

The proposals would see new time limits set for repairs to unsafe homes.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said the "strong, robust action" would help "prevent tragedies".

Campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa said it was crucial the proposals had "teeth" and were properly enforced.

Known as Awaab's Law, the proposed legal changes would force landlords to investigate issues within two weeks, and begin repairs within a further seven days.

Mr Gove said the toddler's death from a respiratory condition caused by the mould in his family home run by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) "should never have happened".

Speaking at the time, Awaab's father, Faisal Abdullah, said he hoped those responsible would "get the punishment they deserve" after he repeatedly raised the issue but no action was taken.

Mr Gove said the family had shown "courageous leadership, determination and dignity to champion these changes and now it's time for us to deliver".

Under the changes, any emergency work must be carried out within 24 hours, with those who fail to meet the new deadlines liable to be taken to court by tenants and ordered to pay compensation.

Housing campaigner Mr Tweneboa said: "Many families across the country are still living in homes with damp and mould, creating misery but more worryingly risks (to) their health and safety.

"I'm pleased to see Awaab's Law reach the consultation phase and hope that it goes far enough to prevent other families going through the tragedy Awaab's family have had to."

Landlords will also be expected to keep clear records for tenants to show they have made attempts to comply with the time limits.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has announced a consultation on creating a new "good landlords" charter for the city, to ensure residents of both social housing and general housing are safe and live in decent conditions.

Andy Burnham told the Today programme: "The charter needs to set clear standards, clear timetables for repairs to homes.

"It should be based on the principle that people's homes should not damage their physical or psychological health."

He said there were many landlords "trying to do the right thing" and the voluntary charter would see they are "getting recognition for doing that, differentiating themselves from poor landlords because there's no way at the moment that landlords can do that, they're all tarred with the same brush".

One mother told the BBC her family had been put up temporarily in a central Manchester flat after her three-year-old son was hospitalised seven times because of serious mould in their flat.

Louis, from Middleton, Rochdale, developed chronic breathing problems while living in the property.

His mother Amy said mould had spread from the skirting boards and walls to children's clothes, her mattress and pillows.

"We've been moved out to hotels three times, we're in an apartment now, but when I've been in a hotel he's never once been poorly, coughed, nothing," she said. "We were back home a week and then he ended up in hospital. I know that's what the cause is."

The government announcement follows the passing of the Social Housing Act last year, a move set to give the social housing regulator stronger powers to tackle rogue landlords.

An inquest in 2022 found Awaab died directly from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould - after his family's concerns were not acted upon.

Speaking at the time, Coroner Joanne Kearsley said the housing association was not "proactive" and asked: "How in the UK in 2020 does a two-year-old child die as a result of exposure to mould?"