Awaab’s Law to Be Extended to England’s Private Renters
The government has opened a consultation on extending Awaab’s Law, which sets legal deadlines for landlords to fix severe damp and mould, from social housing to the private rented sector, temporary accommodation for homeless families, and housing for care leavers. It would more than double the homes covered, from about four million to nine million. The consultation closes on 18 December.
The law is named for Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 at the age of two after prolonged exposure to damp and mould in a Rochdale flat his parents had repeatedly complained about. England has eleven million private renters and around one in ten privately rented homes has what the housing health and safety system classes as a category one hazard — a risk capable of causing death or serious harm. Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, puts the principle plainly: “Irrespective of tenure, all renters have the right to live in a safe and decent home… We’re now moving to extend it to private landlords so that England’s 11 million private renters can enjoy the same protections.” Holly Williamson of Generation Rent describes what the deadlines are meant to fix: “too many renters live in homes that are harmful to our health and often wait months for landlords to act.” The Renters’ Rights Act already raised the maximum fine for the worst offences to £7,000. The practical point for anyone affected is that this is a consultation, not a commencement — the duty does not exist for private tenants yet, and the window to respond runs to 18 December.