Everyone deserves a safe home but private renters are more likely to live in poor-quality housing, with one in ten private rented homes considered dangerous.  Private renters often struggle to get our landlords to act when we report disrepair.

Awaab’s Law could change this.

In 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social rented home in Rochdale. Despite his parents repeatedly raising concerns, their landlord failed to address the problem in time. 

His tragic and avoidable death led to the introduction of Awaab’s Law in social housing. The new Renters’ Rights Act has now introduced powers to extend Awaab’s Law to private renters as well. 

What could this mean for renters?

Awaab’s Law would set clear legal timeframes landlords must act in to investigate problems in the home and make the property safe. This is to help prevent renters from being left to live in dangerous conditions, such as damp and mould, for extended periods of time, while also empowering private renters to challenge poor quality homes.

The Government could also require landlords to provide tenants with written information about the findings of a property investigation, offer alternative accommodation where a home cannot be made safe within the required timeframe, and let renters take legal action to seek repairs or compensation.

Have your say

But all this depends on a consultation the Government has launched on how Awaab’s Law should work in the private rented sector. We know lots of landlords will argue that they should be held to lower standards than councils and housing associations. Proposals could be watered down if the government doesn’t also hear from renters.

Your experiences and views are crucial in helping to shape how these protections are put into practice. We have until 18 December to respond and we are planning different ways to make sure renters’ voices are heard.

Sign up here for updates on Awaab’s Law and ways to get involved.