Awaab’s Law: Consultation

Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector - Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

The tragic death of Awaab Ishak shocked the nation.

The death of a child is always heart-breaking – even more so when it is entirely preventable. Awaab was aged just two when he died in December 2020, as a direct result of exposure to mould in the social home his family rented from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated "His parents raised concerns about their living conditions time and again. The landlord not only repeatedly failed to act, but shamefully blamed the family for causing the hazardous mould.

Everyone deserves to live in a home that is decent, safe and secure."

Awaab’s Law, which was introduced in the landmark Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, requires landlords to investigate and fix reported health hazards within specified timeframes.

The primary purpose of this consultation is to set those timeframes, and government is seeking views from across the sector.

The new rules will form part of a tenancy agreement, so that tenants can hold landlords to account by law if they fail to provide a decent home.

These proposals will apply to England only.