Almost a quarter of social renters report issues of damp, mould or cold in their homes, a survey suggests, as new rules come into force requiring landlords to address such problems more quickly. The changes, described as the lasting legacy of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale housing association flat, mean social housing landlords in England could face court action and compensation orders if they fail to improve conditions promptly. The law also obliges landlords to rehouse tenants in safe accommodation where necessary.
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A UK-wide survey conducted by Censuswide for the Health Equals campaign found that 21% of renters reported issues such as damp, mould or condensation, rising to 23% among those living in social housing. The research also highlighted that households with the lowest incomes were almost twice as likely to live in affected properties compared with the highest-income households. Campaigners have called for similar protections to be extended urgently to the private rented sector, though no firm timeline has been announced for the Renters’ Rights Bill, which aims to achieve this.
The new rules, which cover England’s four million social rent homes, require landlords to act swiftly to remedy dangerous conditions. Emergency health and safety hazards must be addressed within 24 hours, while significant damp and mould must be investigated within ten working days and rectified within a further five days. Landlords must communicate inspection findings in writing within three working days, and if the property houses young children, disabled people or individuals with health conditions, alternative accommodation must be offered if the home cannot be made safe in time.
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Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Everyone deserves a safe and decent home, and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death. Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk.” The Government has also announced a £1 million fund to support tenants’ engagement with landlords. A recent Housing Ombudsman report revealed a sharp rise in complaints about poor housing conditions, including asbestos, fire safety, pest control, leaks, damp and mould, highlighting “clear and consistent failings” in property maintenance over recent years.
