On Monday 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law passed into law after years of campaigning by Awaab’s family and supporters.
The law is named after 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died after “prolonged exposure” to mould in his home in Rochdale in 2020.
Their home was owned by social housing provider Rochdale Boroughwide Housing but, despite the issues with mould being reported by both the family and NHS staff, the problem wasn’t dealt with.
What is Awaab’s Law?
Awaab’s Law is a piece of legislation that requires social landlords to deal with reported significant hazards within a fixed timescale. The law will be implemented in a phased approach with this first phase requiring landlords to investigate damp and mould issues within 10 working days of reporting, and to fix the issues within 5 working days.
Findings of investigations into these hazards must be provide to tenants in writing within three working days of the inspection and alternative accommodation must be provided if the issue cannot be fixed within the required timeframe.
The next stage of the phased implementation of Awaab’s Law will come into force in 2026 and will extend the scope of the legislation to other significant hazards including electrical and structural issues.
Comment from Awaab’s Family’s Legal Team
Kelly Darlington, Farleys’ Head of Inquests, and Christian Weaver, Barrister at Garden Court North Chambers, have represented Awaab’s family since the beginning of the inquest into his death and have supported their campaigning for Awaab’s Law.
On the day the legislation was finally passed into law, Kelly and Christian commented;
“Today marks a huge milestone in the hard-fought campaign for Awaab’s Law. It is humbling that the implementation of Awaab’s Law comes just a few months before the five-year anniversary of his tragic death. It is also a testament to Awaab’s parents Faisal and Aisha, who have remained brave and dignified throughout while turning their unbearable tragedy into a legacy which protects and saves lives. They refused to let what happened to their little boy be in vain.
No longer will social renters be left legally and physically exposed to hazards under their own roofs. Phase One of Awaab’s Law sets clear, enforceable deadlines for how quickly social landlords must act when tenants report all damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to the occupier, and all emergency hazards – which are hazards posing an imminent and significant risk of harm to the occupier. We remind renters and landlords that this is part of a phased implementation, with later phases extending those protections to other hazards including falls, fire, and excessive cold or heat.
More than that, Awaab’s Law is a moral contract: a shared understanding between citizens, landlords and government that safety in the home is non-negotiable. Its success will not be measured in how many tenants take legal action against their landlords. Its success will be in the stories away from the spotlight: the child who avoids the development of breathing problems, or the family which no longer sleeps in damp bedrooms. No other home should ever be described as unfit for human habitation.
We implore the government to ensure all phases are implemented in their entirety. We are also encouraged by Housing Secretary Steve Reed’s promise to extend Awaab’s Law to private properties through the Renters’ Rights Act, which should provide a clear timeline.
Once again, we’d like to express our support for Awaab’s family and our admiration for their courage throughout this immensely tough process.”
Further coverage:
‘I’m proud of my son Awaab – he’s going to save other lives’ – Manchester Evening News
Dad of boy who died due to mould in flat says he’s ‘proud’ of his son for saving lives – Big Issue
Awaab’s Law finally begins to take effect – Shelter
Three years after his inquest, Awaab’s Law comes into force – Garden Court North Chambers
