New legislation will extend Awaab’s Law, which gives tenants the right to challenge dangerous conditions in their homes, into the private rented sector.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced into parliament on 13 September, implements Labour’s election manifesto pledge to ban Section 21 so-called ‘no fault’ evictions for new and existing tenancies.
Other moves in the bill include extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector. It was introduced by the previous government after an inquest found that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died in December 2020 from a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
Awaab’s parents had repeatedly complained to their landlord, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, about black mould in their kitchen and bathroom and had asked to be rehoused but were ignored.
A consultation on Awaab’s Law, launched by the last government, proposed strict new time limits to force social housing providers to take swift action in addressing dangerous hazards such as damp and mould.
The consultation also proposed new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing them within a further week and make emergency repairs within 24 hours.
The new renters bill applies the Decent Homes Standard, which currently covers social housing, to the private rented sector for the first time.
Landlords failing to address serious hazards can be fined up to £7,000 by local councils and may face prosecution for non-compliance.
