The father of a two-year-old who tragically passed away due to mold in their social housing residence is determined to prevent others from experiencing a similar ordeal, especially now that a new law has been enacted in response to the incident. Awaab Ishak lost his life in December 2020 as a result of a respiratory illness caused by prolonged exposure to mold in their family’s housing association flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
Despite Faisal Ishak’s persistent complaints to the housing provider, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, regarding the mold over the three years leading up to his son’s death, no action was taken. The heartbreaking loss of the young child prompted outrage and led to the implementation of Awaab’s Law, which requires landlords to promptly address reported hazards in social housing and relocate tenants to safe accommodations if necessary.
Under Awaab’s Law, social housing landlords in England can face legal repercussions and compensation orders if they fail to swiftly improve living conditions for tenants. A recent UK-wide survey revealed that a significant percentage of individuals facing issues such as damp, mold, or condensation in their homes were social renters or residing in private rented accommodation.
Advocates are now pushing for the extension of these stringent regulations to the private rented sector. While the Government has committed to incorporating Awaab’s Law into the Renters’ Rights Bill, the timeline for this extension remains uncertain. Chief campaigns officer Paul McDonald emphasized the need to expand the scope of protection for tenants beyond the current legal framework.
The new regulations, effective immediately, mandate landlords of England’s four million social rent properties to promptly address hazardous conditions. Landlords must rectify emergency health and safety hazards within 24 hours of notification, investigate significant damp and mold within 10 working days, and communicate findings to tenants within three working days post-inspection. If vulnerable individuals reside in the property, alternative accommodation must be provided if safety improvements cannot be made within the specified timeframes.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe living environment for all individuals, citing Awaab Ishak’s tragic story as a poignant reminder of the critical nature of housing conditions. Mr. Ishak expressed gratitude for the new law, acknowledging that while it cannot undo the loss of his son, it may prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Following the incident, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing faced consequences, including funding removal and the dismissal of its chief executive, Gareth Swarbrick. Mr. Ishak highlighted the emotional toll of the ordeal and the lack of support received, emphasizing the need for lessons to be learned from their experience to prevent such occurrences in the future.