The housing secretary Michael Gove launched a consultation proposing new legal requirements for social landlords to address hazards, including damp and mould.
If implemented, the law — named Awaab’s Law after the two-year-old child Awaab Ishak who died from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in the flat where he lived — would require 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 where they may be ordered to pay compensation for tenants.
“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,” said Gove.
“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.”
Social housing campaigner, Kwajo Tweneboa, added: “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.
“It’s crucial the government are able to make sure this law has teeth and is enforced for it to work as intended.”
