‘Awaab’s Law’- a significant amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill
Following the recent death of Awaab Ishak, the Government has proposed action to ensure no further deaths occur due to damp or mould growth within social housing properties.
The amendments to the Social Housing Regulation Bill will include strict specific time frames for landlords to investigate and fix any reported health hazards. These amendments to the Bill will “enshrine tenants’ rights in law” as Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated on 9 February 2023.
Alongside the amendments to the Bill, the Housing Ombudsman will be given new powers to enable them to order landlords to measure their service against the guidance given on health hazard issues.
This proposal means that tenants will have rights granted by the amendments that can be stringently pursued through the Housing Ombudsman. Although this is good news for tenants, this may be concerning for landlords who will have to comply with the new proposals.
Prior to the amendments taking place, the Government will be launching a consultation later this year to establish the time frames that will be imposed on landlords. We await the consultation from the Government and the further guidance to be published.
Discover more
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Press Release
Browne Jacobson appointed as legal adviser to Department for Transport Legal Advisers
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Provider Selection Regime - how will it work in practice?
Legal Update
Traffic Regulation Orders
Legal Update - Procurement Act
PPN 01/24: Carbon reduction contract schedule
Legal Update
Understanding the ICO's new fining guidance
Press Release
Fixing local government standards regime would help us to do our jobs, say monitoring officers at Browne Jacobson and LGiU roundtable
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Landmark judgment in OCS Group UK Limited v Community Health Partnerships Limited
Legal Update
Government updates guidance on holiday rules: What employers need to know
Legal Update
Subsidy control guidance update - welcome guidance on 'small subsidies' introduced
Opinion
R (Willmott) v Eastbourne Council: High Court rules council can deny social housing to disabled ex-tenant over anti-social behaviour
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Greater Manchester Combined Authority on its investment in Beryl
Published Article
Government's asset sale plan: Short-term fix or long-term disaster?
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters - March 2024
Legal Update
Charity law update – March 2024
Opinion
Caregivers at work: Navigating new carer's leave regulations
Opinion
EHRC publishes new guidance on menopause and the workplace
Legal Update
Braceurself Ltd v NHS England 2024: Court of Appeal procurement case decision
Press Release
Browne Jacobson supports establishment of East Midlands Combined County Authority
Opinion
Regulator warning on future dangers of asbestos
Press Release
At the forefront of society’s biggest issues - a reflection of our public sector work throughout 2023
Legal Update
Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil Council: A game changing decision for local authorities
Legal Update
The Home Affairs Committee launched another inquiry into fraud - Stop! Think Fraud
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises First Milk on acquisition of dairy product manufacturer BV Dairy
Legal Update
UK falls to lowest position for corruption – so what’s going wrong?
Legal Update
Streamlined routes for subsidies
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters - January 2024
Opinion
Government consultation launched on contractual controls on land
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Procurement reform: Making poor performance a thing of the past
Legal Update
Restrictive covenants – look before you leap!
Legal Update
Employment law in 2024: How changes impact education
Legal Update
Backpay for leavers: Employers risk unlawful deduction from wages claims
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson bolsters presence in Wales with three new appointments
Legal Update
HXA and YXA : Guidance from the Supreme Court on negligence in failure to remove cases
Opinion
New employment rights set to come into force
Legal Update
COP28 – key outcomes agreed and what they mean for you
Legal Update
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Are we ready for it?
Legal Update
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
Opinion
BBC personality wins appeal on IR35 status
Legal Update
Government foreshadows significant savings for public bodies as part of data protection overhaul
