The campaign to establish Awaab's Law in the wake of the toddler's tragic death in a mouldy Greater Manchester flat will take a major step forward today.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has been in discussions with representatives of Awaab Ishak's family on how Awaab's Law could put on the statute books. The Manchester Evening News has been campaigning for a change in the law in the child's memory.
Amendments have now been made to the Social Housing Regulation Bill, which meet much of the Awaab's Law campaign demands. Those will be tabled today. Secretary of State Michael Gove is also visiting Awaab's family in Rochdale today (Thursday, February 9).
READ MORE: Michael Gove admits 'such a clear need' to change law following Awaab Ishak death
Mr Gove said: "I’m really grateful to Awaab Ishak's family for their campaigning, they've got a great legal team, and of course the Manchester Evening News has been pressing for justice, for Awaab's Law.
"I was able to explain to Awaab's family that we will be changing the law, in line with their wishes.
"Awaab’s Law will become a reality and people in social housing will be guaranteed to have action if they find that there are threats to their health and the condition of their home is not good enough."
Time limits for carrying out inspections and work on damp and mould will be enforced and included in tenancy agreements. Landlords could be sued for breaching them. The exact timeframes will be set following a consultation period and brought into statute by a secondary piece of legislation.
Clear information will also be provided to all tenants on their rights, what to expect with regards to health and safety in their home and how to make a complaint. The campaign has also called for tenants who needed to move home due to a health risk to be given priority for new housing.
It comes after the M.E.N. spoke to tenants on Awaab's estate last summer. Some said they had received letters from their GP urging them to move, but had been unsuccessful in securing a new home.
The DLUHC says existing legislation means local authorities should already give tenants priority to move home when health hazards are identified, but new guidance will be issued to emphasise this; while the Housing Health and Safety Rating System will be updated, with key references to damp and mould.
The M.E.N. has also supported further demands to improve the Social Housing Regulation Bill made by Shelter following its work with Grenfell United, the survivors and bereaved families following the 2017 tower block fire in London, which killed 72.
The demand for Ofsted-style inspections of housing associations has been met by an earlier amendment to the bill.
On increased professionalisation, standards on competence and conduct of housing providers will be set by the regulator, although Shelter wants the bill to go further by requiring specific qualifications and development.
The two-year-old died following prolonged exposure to damp and mould at his home on the Freehold estate, in Rochdale. His inquest revealed that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing knew about the issue for several months, but failed to act.
Awaab's Law is aimed at ensuring 'no other child, or anyone else, dies due to mould in their home'.
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