Awaab’s Law to Protect London Tenants from Mould and Damp in Homes
The new law means that social Landlords must fix emergency hazards within 24 hours and investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days. But what does this mean for London, UK’s mould hotspot?
Awaab’s law, introduced this week, requires social Landlords to fix emergency hazards within 24 hours and investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days.
The law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from a serious respiratory illness caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home in 2020.
Awaab Ishak, aged two, died from a respiratory condition related to long term mould exposure in his Rochdale home in 2020.
Housing Secretary Steve Reeve said, ‘Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death.’
The law forces social housing landlords to take urgent action to fix dangerous homes or face serious consequences, including court action and large fines.
A Test for the Capital
According to Uswitch’s Mouldy Nation report earlier this year, eight of the ten local authorities receiving the most complaints per 10,000 homes about mould and damp are in London.
Haringey, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Lambeth top the list, followed by Lewisham, Camden, Islington, Southwark and City of London.
We spoke to one concerned Londoner who told City News the new law can’t come soon enough.
“It’s great the law is changing – mould is a big issue here, especially in London.” “We had mould all over the bathroom and in our bedroom,” “It affected my breathing,” they said, describing regular visits to their GP.
While the new law sets clear standards, London renters and campaigners stress that implementation is key.
Another concerned Londoner told City News:
“It’s a good law, but like any other, enforcement is key.” “We have so many laws – we need to enforce them to make sure lives are saved.”
Black mould is infesting homes.
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:
“The quality and safety of residents’ homes is housing associations’ top priority.” The introduction of Awaab’s Law “represents an important milestone in our sector’s drive to ensure all our homes meet the standards residents deserve.”
And it’s not only the capital, renters across the country are battling damp, dangerous conditions.
A tenant in Bath who we are calling Jane (not her real name), told City News she has been living with severe mould and damp for several years.
“I’m heading into the fifth winter of sleeping over a sopping wet carpet,” she said.
Jane, who is disabled and coping with health conditions, described living in “high-risk humidity” and the “freezing cold.” “I now live mostly in my back room. I barely shower because it’s too cold, […] being in this environment is horrible.”
According to a Housing Ombudsman report, there was “severe maladministration” in the landlord’s handling of the damp and mould situation.
Jane claims “nothing has changed” and she has lost faith that anything will with the introduction of Awaab’s law.
Her experience illustrates the real issues tenants face with enforcement and the long-term housing problems that Awaab’s Law aims to tackle.
What’s Next?
More parts of Awaab’s Law will be phased in through 2026 and 2027 to eventually cover all renters and all hazards.
The government has advised landlords to prepare for these next stages.
HeadlineAwaab’s Law to Protect London Tenants from Mould and Damp in Homes
Short HeadlineAwaab's Law to Protect London Tenants from Mould and Damp in Homes
StandfirstThe new law means that social Landlords must fix emergency hazards within 24 hours and investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days. But what does this mean for London, UK’s mould hotspot?
Awaab’s law, introduced this week, requires social Landlords to fix emergency hazards within 24 hours and investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days.
The law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from a serious respiratory illness caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home in 2020.
Awaab Ishak, aged two, died from a respiratory condition related to long term mould exposure in his Rochdale home in 2020.
Housing Secretary Steve Reeve said, ‘Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death.’
The law forces social housing landlords to take urgent action to fix dangerous homes or face serious consequences, including court action and large fines.
A Test for the Capital
According to Uswitch’s Mouldy Nation report earlier this year, eight of the ten local authorities receiving the most complaints per 10,000 homes about mould and damp are in London.
Haringey, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Lambeth top the list, followed by Lewisham, Camden, Islington, Southwark and City of London.
We spoke to one concerned Londoner who told City News the new law can’t come soon enough.
“It’s great the law is changing – mould is a big issue here, especially in London.” “We had mould all over the bathroom and in our bedroom,” “It affected my breathing,” they said, describing regular visits to their GP.
While the new law sets clear standards, London renters and campaigners stress that implementation is key.
Another concerned Londoner told City News:
“It’s a good law, but like any other, enforcement is key.” “We have so many laws – we need to enforce them to make sure lives are saved.”
Black mould is infesting homes.
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:
“The quality and safety of residents’ homes is housing associations’ top priority.” The introduction of Awaab’s Law “represents an important milestone in our sector’s drive to ensure all our homes meet the standards residents deserve.”
And it’s not only the capital, renters across the country are battling damp, dangerous conditions.
A tenant in Bath who we are calling Jane (not her real name), told City News she has been living with severe mould and damp for several years.
“I’m heading into the fifth winter of sleeping over a sopping wet carpet,” she said.
Jane, who is disabled and coping with health conditions, described living in “high-risk humidity” and the “freezing cold.” “I now live mostly in my back room. I barely shower because it’s too cold, […] being in this environment is horrible.”
According to a Housing Ombudsman report, there was “severe maladministration” in the landlord’s handling of the damp and mould situation.
Jane claims “nothing has changed” and she has lost faith that anything will with the introduction of Awaab’s law.
Her experience illustrates the real issues tenants face with enforcement and the long-term housing problems that Awaab’s Law aims to tackle.
What’s Next?
More parts of Awaab’s Law will be phased in through 2026 and 2027 to eventually cover all renters and all hazards.
The government has advised landlords to prepare for these next stages.
