Rochdale MP hails ‘Awaab’s Law’ and new protections for all renters
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has hailed the passing this week of new laws to better protect tenants from eviction and from damp and mouldy homes.
Nearly five years after the death of toddler Awaab Ishak from a mouldy flat on Rochdale’s Freehold estate, “Awaab’s Law” will fine social housing providers who fail to respond quickly to complaints about dangerous living conditions.
Emergency health hazards will have to be addressed within 24 hours under the landmark changes.
And the new Renters Rights Act 2025, passed at the same time, will also give all tenants protection against so-called “no fault” evictions by their landlord.
The reforms deliver on a key Labour manifesto promise to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants, ensuring renters can live with security, dignity and fairness.
Under Awaab’s Law, landlords must investigate significant damp and mould within 10 working days of being notified and then make properties safe in five working days. For both types of hazards, they must also write the findings to tenants within three working days of inspection.
More of Awaab’s Law will be phased in next year and in 2027 to make homes safer from more hazards, and the Renters Rights Act extends its remit to private landlords as well as social housing landlords.
Mr Waugh said: “Everyone deserves a safe and decent home to live in and Awaab Ishak is a powerful reminder of how this can sadly be a matter of life or death.
“Awaab’s family has fought hard for change and their work to protect millions of tenants’ lives will live on as a legacy to their son.
“Our Renters Rights Act will also introduce the biggest improvement in tenants’ rights for a generation – to give them the respect they deserve.”
Mr Waugh, who has repeatedly raised Awaab’s case in Parliament, also hailed the £39bn the Government was spending on social and affordable housing.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed MP praised Mr Waugh’s campaigning for change, saying: “Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies like little Awaab’s death are never repeated.”
The new Renters Rights Act will see:
– Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions abolished – tenants can no longer be removed without reason
– Decent Homes Standard extended – private renters gain the same protections as social tenants
– Awaab’s Law applied to private renting – legal deadlines for landlords to fix serious hazards
– Local enforcement strengthened – Rochdale Borough Council gains more power to act against bad landlords
– Fair rent and anti-discrimination rules introduced – stopping bidding wars and “no children / no benefits” policies
– Private Rented Sector Ombudsman established – quick, binding decisions for tenants without costly court cases