A comprehensive review of social housing stock in Bury is taking place in the wake of two-year-old Awaab Ishak’s death in a mouldy and damp flat in neighbouring Rochdale. Toddler Awaab died in December 2020.
His father, Faisal Abdullah repeatedly complained to his landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing about the issue. Housing secretary Michael Gove said it was ‘unforgivable’ and has pledged to hold landlords to account. The Manchester Evening News has joined Awaab’s family in calling for legislation to stop further deaths caused by mould in homes,
At meeting of Bury Council, leader Eamonn O’Brien set of the borough’s response to the tragedy and the measures being put in place to review social housing in Bury saying at this stage he had not been made aware of similar poor housing.
Read more: All mould and damp repairs in council housing reviewed after Awaab Ishak death
He said: “Following the very tragic death of Awaab Ishak the council have assessed the risk and implications to manage and mitigate the risks to all tenants by working with Six Town Housing and other housing associations.
“At this stage we are not aware of any similar examples in Bury. However, there is more action both short and long term to give us absolute reassurance that is the case.
“Immediate actions taking place include property conditions due to damp, mould and condensation being added to the council’s corporate risk register. So this is not just leaving it to housing associations it’s a much wider approach.
“Damp, mould and condensation will also be integrated to health and safety compliance management and monitoring very much in the way we would monitor gas compliance.
“Six Town have held a board session specifically on this to assess risks and to create its own action plan and have shown good leadership in positively approaching this. They are also reviewing all heating and energy supply issues.
“Legal services have reviewed all cases of disrepair where damp and mould are a factor and will not let legal issues get in the way of repairs being made.
“All housing associations in Bury have been contacted and asked to confirm their approach and responses.”
Coun O’Brien added that Awaab’s death was a ‘defining moment’ for all social housing providers including in Bury.
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