The campaign to introduce Awaab's Law following the tragic tot's death has taken a major step forward, with measures being planned to ensure no other child loses their life due to exposure to mould at home.
Ministers have announced a review of landlord guidance on the health risks of damp and mould following the two year-old's horrific case.
Awaab Ishak died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in the one-bedroom housing association flat where he lived with his parents, Faisal Abdullah and Aisha Amin, in Rochdale.
READ MORE: Government announces plans for Awaab's Law after toddler's tragic death from damp and mould
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), which owned the flat, has been stripped of its funding. Its chief executive Gareth Swarbrick was sacked after it emerged he earned £170,000 during the year of Awaab's death.
In a response to a coroner's conclusion in November that Awaab died because of the mould, ministers Michael Gove and Steve Barclay set out five areas of concern.
Writing to senior coroner Joanne Kearsley, they cited the extensive campaign by the Manchester Evening News and Shelter to bring about meaningful change - and announced a review on guidance to landlord.
They want to update current guidance to social homes to include damp and mould as well as review the housing health and safety rating system. They also said the housing sector cannot easily access relevant health information about damp and mould, that the private landlord sector does not have access to the Housing Ombudsman and that a policy among housing associations meant they would wait for their tenant's complaints to be settled before fixing disrepairs.
The pair also intend to introduce time limits for private landlords to investigate concerns surrounding mould and damp.
Manchester Evening News editor Sarah Lester and Shelter chief executive Dr Polly Neate spoke about the major step on the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning (Saturday).
Asked why the M.E.N. launched the campaign for Awaab's Law, which has amassed over 170,000 signatures, Sarah said: "Awaab’s death was horrific, and when we began to investigate over the summer what stood out for us was the scale of institutional apathy from the housing association.
"They seemed more keen on reputation management than tenants' health. They even gave pay rise to bosses after Awaab's death.
"What we found in the block where Awaab died was many families in exactly the same boat. We spoke to at least three families who had notes from doctors that their home was basically harming their health.
"Remember, Awaab's family complained three years before his death. After we published our initial story, we were inundated with tenants across the country in similar situations. At that point, we decided we needed to make a difference."
Dr Neate said mould is a massive national problem.
"It was a really deeply affecting story," she said.
"For my colleagues up and down the country, this sort of appalling situation is their daily work float. It's no exaggeration, it's a huge problem and not confined to social housing either.
"In fact, frankly unliveable housing conditions are more common in the rented sector than they are in social housing. But both need some serious attention.
"The government is going to issue reviewed guidance and I think there is going to be a point in that.
"What's much more important if you look at social housing, is the government’s Social Housing Regulation Bill, which will include introducing Ofsted-style inspection of social homes and that is really much more needed.
"Guidance is guidance. Actual accountability is a key word here.
"In terms of private renting, we have been working with the government for years. Private renters don't complain about their conditions, they don't dare as landlords can evict without a valid reason.
"In the private rented sector much more needs to be done, and the Social Housing Regulation Bill is going to improve matters.
"We're in this situation where there is decades of failure to build decent homes that people on low incomes can actually afford to live in."
Mr Gove and Mr Barclay wrote: "We are also taking more immediate action to ensure landlords understand the risks of damp and mould and act swiftly when necessary. Following the Manchester Evening News and Shelter campaign for 'Awaab’s Law', we will table an amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill relating to hazards in social homes.
"Our intention, subject to further discussion with the representatives of Awaab’s family, is to commit me (the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) to publishing a policy statement on approaches to tackling serious hazards (including damp and mould) in the social rented sector.
"The policy statement would specify time limits which landlords must meet regarding investigating hazards and acting where there are health concerns.
"I intend to direct the Regulator of Social Housing to implement the approach set out in this new policy statement in its standards. If this amendment is approved by Parliament we will implement any new measures as soon as possible and within six months of Royal Assent of the Bill."
In her findings, coroner Ms Kearsley described Awaab as 'an engaging, lively, endearing two-year-old'.
She said Mr Abdullah reported mould developing in the Tweedale Street flat to RBH in 2017 and was told to paint over it.
In June 2020, Mr Abdullah instructed solicitors and initiated a claim over the recurring issue but policy meant any repairs would not be done until an agreement had been reached, the inquest heard.
Awaab was taken to Rochdale Urgent Care Centre on December 19 with shortness of breath and transferred to Royal Oldham Hospital before being discharged.
He deteriorated the next day and his parents were advised by the Community Children’s Nursing Team to take him back to the Rochdale Urgent Care Centre.
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