Having been passed by the previous Government in July 2023, it has now been announced that Awaab’s will begin to come into effect in October of this year.
The issue of damp and mould in social housing – the raison d’etre of the campaign- will be one of the first to be addressed during the phase-in.
Calls for legislation began following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in a one-bedroom flat in Rochdale in 2020. In 2022 a coroner ruled that his death was caused by exposure to black mould in his home.
Awaab’s father had earlier complained to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing about the mould but was told to paint over it.
The Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Matthew Pennycook MP explained that the phased approach will work as follows:
- From October 2025 social landlords will have to address damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to tenants to fixed timescales.
- From October 2025 social landlords will also have to address all emergency repairs including for damp and mould or other hazards as soon as possible and within no longer than 24 hours.
- In 2026, requirements will expand to apply to a wider range of hazards. In addition to damp and mould, the hazards we expect to extend Awaab’s Law to in this second stage of implementation include excess cold and excess heat; falls; structural collapse; fire, electrical and explosions; and hygiene hazards.
- Then in 2027, the requirements of Awaab’s Law will expand to the remaining hazards as defined by the HHSRS (excluding overcrowding).
While some have welcomed the approach – the Local Government Association said ‘It’s positive that the introduction of Awaab’s Law will be phased in and that the initial focus will be on damp and mould’ – others have criticised what is seen as a further delay.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter , said: ‘Awaab Ishak’s legacy must be that no other family has to witness poor housing conditions putting their child’s life at risk. The government promised to bring in Awaab’s law, forcing landlords to deal with serious hazards in social homes within clear timeframes, last autumn.
‘However, four years after Awaab’s death … today’s announcement means social housing tenants will have to wait years longer for this vital protection. These delays to implementation represent a real risk to the health and safety of tenants, and puts lives at risk.’
Following Awaab’s death, coroner Joanne Kearsley wrote a report for the prevention of future deaths, in which she highlighted significant failings in the sector. Failings that the new legislation will hope to put right.