The death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 has led to a significant overhaul of housing law in England, transforming how social landlords address damp and mould issues. Awaab died after prolonged exposure to severe mould in his family's one-bedroom flat in Rochdale. An inquest concluded that his death resulted from a severe respiratory condition caused by mould in his home.
This tragic case exposed systemic failures within the social housing sector: despite multiple complaints from Awaab's family, no effective action was taken to ensure the property was safe. The case ignited public outrage and campaigner pressure, prompting the UK Government to introduce what is now known as Awaab's Law.
