The father of a two-year-old boy who tragically passed away due to mold in their social housing apartment voiced his hope that no one else will have to endure a similar situation. This comes as a new law, Awaab’s Law, is enforced following the child’s death in December 2020 from a respiratory illness linked to prolonged mold exposure in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
Faisal Ishak, the father of Awaab Ishak, had persistently raised concerns to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the housing provider, about the mold issue in the years leading up to his son’s untimely death, but no action was taken.
The incident prompted the introduction of Awaab’s Law, compelling landlords to promptly address reported hazards in social housing and relocate tenants to safe accommodations if necessary. Failure to improve living conditions could result in legal action and compensation orders for social housing landlords in England under this new law.
Despite the law taking effect, a recent UK-wide survey revealed that a significant number of individuals residing in social and private rented accommodations continue to face issues like damp, mold, and condensation, impacting their health and well-being.
Campaigners advocate for the extension of the stringent requirements outlined in Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector. While the government has committed to extending the law through the Renters’ Rights Bill, the timeline for implementation remains uncertain.
Chief campaigns officer Paul McDonald emphasized that while Awaab’s Law marks a crucial step, further action is necessary to safeguard tenants’ rights and prevent future tragedies related to inadequate housing conditions.
The new regulations mandate landlords in England’s social rent sector to promptly address hazardous conditions in their properties. Landlords must address 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.
If vulnerable individuals reside in the property, landlords must provide alternative accommodation if the home cannot be made safe within the specified timeframes. Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the importance of ensuring all tenants have safe and habitable living spaces to prevent tragedies like Awaab’s death.
Mr. Ishak expressed gratitude for the protective measures now in place, acknowledging that while they cannot bring Awaab back, they may prevent similar incidents in the future.
Following Awaab’s demise, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing faced repercussions, including the removal of funding and the dismissal of its chief executive, Gareth Swarbrick. Mr. Ishak highlighted the emotional toll of losing a child and urged authorities to learn from their experience to prevent such tragedies from recurring.