Landlords will have to fix mould and improve homes for renters
This week the Renters Reform Bill has its second reading in the House of Lords. Here, Jukes Estate Agents Harlow look at other impending laws. They look at how landlords will have to deal with mould & repairs.
LANDLORDS will be forced to fix issues of mould in homes or face being taken to court.
New laws will come in to force from October to tackle dangerous conditions in social housing in England.
The legislation is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak. Awaab died as a direct result of exposure to mould in the social home his family rented in Rochdale in 2020.
Firstly, landlords will have to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould within a set period of time. Secondly, they will also have to repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours.
The law will be further strengthened so that from 2027 it will require landlords to fix all dangerous hazards.
After the first phase this year, it is expected to cover excess cold and excess heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and hygiene hazards from 2026.
Then from 2027 another expansion is planned to cover remaining hazards. This will be covered under the housing health and safety rating system However, this will not include issues of overcrowding.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (https://www.angelarayner.co.uk/) said: “We have a moral duty to ensure tragedies like the death of Awaab Ishak never happen again.
“Landlords cannot be allowed to rent out dangerous homes and shamelessly put the lives of their tenants at risk.
“Our new laws will force them to fix problems quickly. This will ensure people are safe in their homes and can be proud to live in social housing.”
Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, the government also intends to extend similar powers over the private rented sector.
What do others think?
Landlords will have to fix mould and improve homes for renters
A consultation on how Awaab’s Law will be implemented for private tenants and landlords is planned.
But housing charity Shelter said the time frame for the further plans was not soon enough.
Chief executive Polly Neate said: “Awaab Ishak’s legacy must be that no other family has to witness poor housing conditions. This is aside of putting their child’s life at risk.
“These delays to implementation represent a real risk to the health and safety of tenants. It also puts lives at risks.
“The Government must make good on their promise and fully and swiftly implement Awaab’s law.”
The government said the phased approach means that issues of mould can be tackled sooner. This is rather than waiting for all dangers to be covered by the law.
There are already existing laws that mean social landlords must make homes fit for human habitation.
Plans to crackdown on the issue were first announced by former housing secretary Michael Gove under the previous Conservative government.
In 2023, 7% of social rented homes had a damp problem and 4% had hazards rated at the most dangerous “category 1” level.
RENTERS’ RIGHTS
If you are renting and poor maintenance is contributing to a damp or mould problem, then your landlord should act.
What things are your landlords responsibilities?
Firstly, substandard insulation.
Secondly, rotting windows.
Thirdly, leaks.
Fourthly, rising damp.
Finally, broken extractor fans fall under your landlord’s responsibilities.
You, the tenant, must keep the property adequately ventilated and heated to minimise condensation.
What do Jukes Estate Agents say?
Sales & Marketing Director Geoff Flewers says: “If you have a damp problem, report it to your landlord in writing, along with how long it has been going on.
“If no action is taken, contact your local authority, and they can carry out an environmental health inspection.”
But while many good landlords will act, some will unfortunately use a Section 21 “no fault” eviction order instead of carrying out repairs.
Geoff explains: “A tenant could find themselves in a scary position just for asserting their rights.”
The Government says Section 21 orders will be scrapped in the new Renters’ Rights Bill.
What will change under Awaab’s law?
A timeline for changes will hand the government more powers to ensure that mould and other dangers for renters are reduced.
The government has said it will push the law through parliament as quickly as possible.
October 2025
When social tenants report damp and mould issues that pose a significant risk of harm, tenants will have to fix them within a specific time
Emergency repairs for damp and mould will have to be addressed as soon as possible and in 24 hours or less.
2026
A wider array of hazards in addition to mould and damp will fall under the law.
This is set to include: include excess cold and excess heat; falls; structural collapse; fire, electrical and explosions; and hygiene hazards.
2027
The law will be expanded to apply to all hazards defined under the Housing Healthy and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005.