Plans to clampdown on rogue social landlords

Plans to force social landlords to provide safe homes have been unveiled by the government.

The Awaab’s Law consultation has been named after the two year old in Rochdale who died from a respiratory condition caused by mould in the flat where he lived.

It proposes that social landlords should be required to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing within seven and make emergency repairs within 24 hours.

Social landlords who fail to do this could be taken to court and ordered to pay compensation to tenants.

Landlords need to listen

Commenting on the proposals, Awaab’s dad, Faisal Abdullah, said:

“We hope that Awaab’s Law will stop any other family going through the pain that we went through.

“Landlords need to listen to the concerns of tenants and we support these proposals.”

Tenants’ rights

The government also recently consulted on how it could help tenants challenge social landlords when something goes wrong and make sure residents are aware of their rights.

Guidance for the social housing regulator on this is due to be published within a matter of weeks.

According to the government, this is the latest step in addressing problems identified in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire – not just the quality and safety of social housing but how tenants are treated by their landlords.