Guidance to landlords in England over mould and damp health risks will be reviewed following the death of tragic Awaab Ishak in Rochdale.
Awaab, aged two, died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould at his Rochdale home, an inquest found.
The government has announced that it will table an amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill relating to hazards in social homes, they said. The housing and health secretaries said new guidance would come in summer.
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It comes after a coroner asked the government to take action to prevent future deaths - and a Manchester Evening News campaign in association with charity Shelter for the introduction of 'Awaab's Law'.
Awaab's father Faisal Abdullah repeatedly complained to his landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing about the issue of mould in their home.
Senior coroner Joanne Kearsley said RBH were not 'proactive' and asked: "How in the UK in 2020 does a two-year-old child die as a result of exposure to mould?"
As a result of her conclusions, she asked the government that its housing health and safety rating system does not reflect the known risks of damp and mould to health.
She also raised how the private landlord sector does not have access to the Housing Ombudsman for their complaints to be investigated independently.
In the government's response to the coroner, Mr Gove said it was working on a policy that would specify time limits landlords must meet on investigating hazards, and acting where there are health concerns.
He also said there were plans to introduce a new private rented sector landlord ombudsman, which was previously announced in June.
In a letter released by Michael Gove last night (Friday), Mr Gove highlighted the M.E.N. and shelter campaign, and said: “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.”
More than 170,000 people have signed the petition calling for Awaab's law to ensure no other child dies due to mould in their home.
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