“Awaab’s Law” proposals would see social landlords required to make emergency repairs within 24 hours
Michael Gove has launched a public consultation on Awaab’s Law today, which proposes strict timescales for social housing providers to tackle emergency hazards such as damp and mould.
Under the new proposals, social landlords would be required to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing them within a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours.
Landlords who fail to comply with the requirements could be taken to court where they may be ordered to pay compensation to tenants, under the plans.
Housing providers will be required to keep clear records, “showing every attempt” to comply with the timescales so they can no longer “dither and delay” to fix residents’ homes.
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Awaab’s Law is a new amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Act, which became law in July last year. It is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died as a result of direct exposure to damp and mould in his Rochdale Boroughwide Housing home.
The Social Housing Regulation Act gives the regulator of social housing power to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould. It also gives the regulator powers to carry out regular inspections of the largest social housing providers and issue unlimited fines to rogue social landlords.
Housing secretary, Michael 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.
“Alongside Awaab’s Law, our landmark Social Housing Act will drastically improve the quality of life in social housing, granting residents a proper voice to fight those who think they can cheat the system and ensuring rogue landlords face the full force of the law.”
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