MPs call for Awaab's law to cover mouldy homes in private sector

Social housing reforms were put forward after Awaab Ishak's death in 2020

MPs say any crackdown on landlords who fail to fix mouldy homes following the death of a two-year-old boy must protect private tenants too.

Measures forcing social housing landlords to repair unsafe homes have been proposed after Awaab Ishak's death from exposure to mould in Rochdale.

But a House of Commons health committee found there were more private rentals in a dangerous condition.

Chairman Steve Brine MP said all tenants "deserved protection".

Housing Secretary Michael Gove put forward proposals which set new deadlines for social housing landlords to make emergency repairs to unsafe homes in a consultation earlier this month.

Known as Awaab's Law, the legislation comes after campaigners pushed for change in the wake of the toddler's death in 2020, caused by mould in his Rochdale Boroughwide Housing home.

Tory MP and committee chairman Steve Brine wants private rental to be covered

MPs on the House of Commons' Health and Social Care Committee have said these safeguards should be extended to cover the private rental sector.

In a report, the committee found an estimated 0.2% of properties in the social rented sector have a category one, considered the most dangerous level, damp or mould hazard.

The figure is at around 3.6% of properties in the private rented sector.

'Greater protection'

The MPs' report is part of a wider inquiry into prevention in health and social care.

It found that private rentals "contribute disproportionately to both the total number of poor quality homes and the costs that poor housing causes to the NHS".

Mr Brine said the government had "dragged its feet" on updating the 'Decent Homes Standard' for social housing properties, and extending the standard to private rentals.

"Poor quality homes can have a catastrophic impact on the health of the those who live in them," he said.

"The death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from a respiratory condition caused by mould in his home should leave ministers in no doubt that tenants in both the social and private rented sectors deserve greater protection by law."

Other recommendations from the report include urging the government to require developers to have a high standard for housing that protects residents' health.

This includes consulting with them on the content of existing design and space standards and how they relate to health.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesman said the government was working to improve private sector conditions by introducing the 'Decent Homes Standard'.

Other plans include the creation of a "new ombudsman to resolve issues quicker and empower tenants to challenge poor practice", he said.