The five things about to change if you are renting a home
The legislation, which sets strict timeframes for landlords of social housing to fix and repair hazards, was voted through two years ago, but the full details have only just been published. It comes more than four years after the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in Rochdale.
In late 2022, a coroner concluded that the two-year-old died due to 'prolonged exposure' to mould in his home at the Freehold estate.
READ MORE: Friends left stunned at Manchester Airport after landing £24,000 in terminal
READ MORE: 'People are moving here from places like Chorlton and Didsbury - and it's for a good reason'
His family repeatedly reported the issue to their housing provider, but the problem persisted, ultimately leading to Awaab's death.
The Manchester Evening News has been campaigning for Awaab's Law alongside the toddler's family for the last two and a half years.
The legislation was passed in Parliament under the Tories in 2023 with Labour promising to eventually extend it to private renters too.
This week, the government confirmed exactly what measures will come into force over three phases, starting from October this year.
Awaab's family have welcomed the move. Responding to the news announced on Wednesday (June 27), the family's legal team, Kelly Darlington of Farleys and Christian Weaver of Garden Court North, said: 'On behalf of Awaab's parents, we are pleased that the regulations for Awaab's law have now been laid in by Parliament. This is a necessary and welcome step towards safer homes."
So what difference will Awaab's Law make for renters?
The law, which currently only applies to social housing, establishes strict and legally binding timeframes for landlords to act once they become aware of a potential hazard.
From October 27 of this year, they will have act within 24 hours after any emergency hazards, such as gas leaks, broken boilers and total loss of water supply, as well as damp and mould, are reported.
From 2026, hazards which caused a 'significant risk of harm', such as excess cold or heat, structural collapse or some electrical hazards, must be fully investigated within 10 working days. Any work required to fix these hazards must then start within five working days.
And from 2027, all remaining hazards listed under the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), apart from overcrowding, will also be covered by the regulations too.
If there's a material change relating to the hazard, for example if the tenant reports new or worsening symptoms, a new investigation is required and the timeframes reset.
If the required repairs cannot be completed within the specific timeframes, landlords must secure suitable alternative accommodation at their expense until the work is done.
Landlords must consider the suitability of this alternative accommodation, including whether it has adequate space, is close enough to the tenant's workplace or school and is accessible for those with disabilities.
Renters can choose to decline offer of alternative accommodation, but if they choose to stay in their home, the landlord must provide information on actions they have taken to mitigate the risk.
Following an investigation into a hazard, landlords must provide a written summary of findings to the named tenant within three working days of its conclusion, specifying if a hazard was identified, the required action and a target timeframe for the repairs.
An exception applies if all required works are completed before the three-working-day period ends. Landlords must also keep the named tenant updated throughout the process regarding the timing and progress of the required work until the work is complete.
Standard investigations can be carried out remotely. For example, if evidence such as photos or videos sufficiently establishes whether there is a significant or emergency hazard, it may be possible to complete the investigation without anyone visiting the property.
However, under the regulations, tenants can specifically request an in-person investigation which the landlord must then carry out.
Tenants are expected to cooperate with landlords to arrange suitable times for access, according to the government's guidance, but landlords should take 'all reasonable steps' to gain access, including multiple contact attempts and considering tenant needs.
Awaab's Law sets out clear avenues for social housing tenants to take legal action if their landlord is not complying with the rules.
Tenants are encouraged to complain to the landlord first before contacting the Housing Ombudsman or the Social Housing Regulator.
If a case does reach the court and the landlord is found to be in breach of the regulations, the court can order them to do the repairs.
The court could also order the landlord to pay compensation to the tenant and/or pay some or all of the tenant's legal costs.
Awaab's Law does not provide for fines to be imposed on landlords, but the court can award the tenant damages as compensation for loss suffered.
According to the guidance, court action should be a last resort and the court may ask for evidence that alternative means of resolving the dispute have been considered.
As well as giving tenants grounds to take a social landlord to court, Awaab's Law also sets out other expectations on both parties.
The guidance states that it is 'unacceptable' for social landlords to assume the cause of a hazard is due to the tenant's 'lifestyle'.
It comes after the inquest into Awaab's death revealed that his housing association had made such assumptions about his family.
Landlords should not make assumptions and fail to take action or investigate a hazard on this basis, according to the guidance which states that it is 'unavoidable' that everyday tasks such as cooking, washing and drying laundry will contribute to indoor moisture.
The guidance also stipulates that landlords must consider the individual circumstances and vulnerabilities of the tenant, such as their age, health conditions or disabilities, when assessing the risk of harm from a hazard.
However, tenants will still have certain responsibilities, with any damage caused by a breach of contract by the tenant not falling within the scope of Awaab's Law.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bank of England's Bailey defends bond programme after Reform UK criticism
By William Schomberg LONDON (Reuters) -Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey defended the central bank's programme of government bond purchases and sales which has come under fire from some politicians for its cost. In a letter to Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform UK party which is led by former Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, Bailey said claims that the programme was more expensive than those run by other central banks did not tell the full story. Britain's government issued more long-term debt than other countries at a time when the BoE's bond-buying - or quantitative easing - was keeping borrowing costs low, giving the country a longer-lasting benefit, Bailey said. "Put simply, the cash flow cost of QE/QT is not therefore what it seems, and the outcome in these terms will be better," he said in the letter published on Monday. Reform - which is leading Britain's more established political parties in opinion polls - has said the government could save as much as 40 billion pounds ($53.6 billion) a year by stopping payment of interest to banks on reserves held at the BoE. Most of those reserves were created as a byproduct of the central bank's bond purchases which began in 2009 and reached a peak of almost 900 billion pounds in holdings in 2021. Since then, the BoE has sold much of its bond portfolio - known as quantitative tightening - and the programme is due to incur losses for the public finances because of a rise in interest rates and a subsequent fall in the value of the bonds. In his letter, Bailey said the bond purchases shielded Britain's economy from a string of economic shocks over the past 16 years. "It is easy to forget the severe problems we faced with these shocks," he said. "Although the counterfactual is unknowable with any precision, most estimates indicate that QE provided very significant support to the UK economy, protecting both jobs and tax revenues." Bailey said that ceasing paying interest on reserves was tantamount to increasing taxes on banks and would lead to lower interest payments for savers or higher interest rates for borrowers. He also disputed Reform's view that British banks were making excess profits. "Interest paid on reserves is not free money for the banks, not least as most of it is paid on to customers in the form of interest on their deposits," Bailey said. (Writing by William Schomberg; editing by David Milliken) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy hits out at BBC over Glastonbury controversy
The culture secretary has claimed there is "a problem of leadership" at the BBC, as the controversy over Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance deepens. Lisa Nandy criticised the corporation over its decision not to pull the livestream after the band's frontman shouted "death, death to the IDF" - referring to the Israel Defence Forces - on Saturday. A criminal investigation has been launched into the Glastonbury performances of both Bob Vylan and Kneecap after the police reviewed footage. Ms Nandy condemned the "appalling and unacceptable scenes" at and said the government would not tolerate antisemitism. She said she had called director-general Tim Davie after the broadcast of Bob Vylan's set to find out why it had aired, and why the feed had not been cut. "I expect answers to these questions without delay," she said. Later, when asked in the Commons about the BBC's editorial processes and who would be held accountable, Ms Nandy replied: "When you have one editorial failure, it's something that must be gripped. When you have several, it becomes a problem of leadership." Ms Nandy said she had spoken to members of the Jewish community, including attendees at Glastonbury, who said they were concerned by imagery and slogans and ended up creating their own "safe space". Mr Davie has been facing calls for his resignation. Yesterday, drummer Bobbie Vylan released a video statement on Instagram - saying politicians who have spent time criticising the band should be "utterly ashamed" for giving "room" to this over other issues. The punk rap duo have had their US visas revoked and been dropped by their US representative, United Talent Agency. He also addressed what was said on stage, saying: "Regardless of how it was said, calling for an end to the slaughter of innocents is never wrong. To civilians of Israel, understand this anger is not directed at you, and don't let your government persuade you that a call against an army is a call against the people." Shortly after it was posted, the video was no longer available to view. Israel denies targeting civilians in its war in Gaza. During Kneecap's set, one member suggested on stage starting a "riot" outside his bandmate's forthcoming court appearance, before clarifying he meant "support". In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said that after reviewing footage of the performances of Kneecap and Bob Vylan, further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. "A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation," a spokesperson said. "This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage." The force said the investigation will be "evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes". "We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognise the strength of public feeling," it added. "There is absolutely no place in society for hate." What happened? During Bob Vylan's set, the duo performed in front of a screen that showed several messages, including one that said Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide". Bobby Vylan also led chants of "death to the IDF". The set was live streamed by the BBC as part of its Glastonbury coverage, but has not been made available on demand. Politicians including the prime minister have criticised the performance. Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis said the chants "crossed a line" and that there was no place at the festival for "antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence". A BBC spokesperson said the broadcaster respected freedom of expression "but stands firmly against incitement to violence". They added: "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves... "The team were dealing with a live situation, but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen." Media watchdog Ofcom said it was in talks with the BBC and that the broadcaster "clearly has questions to answer" over the stream. Irish-language rap trio Kneecap were on stage afterwards. Before their appearance at the festival, there had been calls for Glastonbury to remove them from the bill - as rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh (who performs as Mo Chara) is facing a terror charge, accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed group Hezbollah at a gig in London last November. Glastonbury organisers kept them on the line-up, but the BBC chose not to stream their set live. An edited version was later made available on demand. On stage, the band led chants of "f*** Keir Starmer". O hAnnaidh's bandmate Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) said they would "start a riot outside the courts" for O hAnnaidh's next appearance, before clarifying: "No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine." Hundreds of people turned out in protest for his first court appearance earlier this month. Read more: Bob Vylan were set to perform in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in the autumn. They are due to perform at Radar Festival in Manchester on Saturday and Boardmasters, a surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. Sharing a statement on Instagram after the Glastonbury set, Bobby Vylan said: "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. "As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us."The war in Gaza started after Hamas militants launched attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. More than 860 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war began, more than 400 of them during the fighting in Gaza. Israel's offensive in Gaza has devastated the enclave and killed around 56,500 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says more than half of the dead are women and children.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Migrant Channel crossings pass 20,000 for the first six months of the year for the first time
More than 20,000 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK in the first six months of this year, a rise of almost 50% on the number crossing in 2024 and a new record for the first half of a year. A total of 19,982 people made the dangerous crossing from France in small boats between the start of 2025 and Monday, including 879 that crossed on that day, the third highest number of arrivals on a single day so far this year, latest Home Office figures show. Pictures from the Channel on Tuesday showed more boats crossing, meaning the total between 1 January and 1 July has exceeded 20,000 for the first time since data was first collected on migrant crossings in 2018. Politics Hub - welfare reforms latest It's the highest number for the first half of a calendar year, 48% higher than the figure for the first six months of 2024, (13,489), and 75% higher than 2023's equivalent figure of 11,433. There were 13 boats that arrived on Monday, carrying an average of around 68 people on each vessel. The single-day high for this year is 1,195 on 31 May and the overall record is 1,305, on 3 September 2022. The numbers were "clearly unacceptable", the prime minister's spokesman said, putting it down to people smuggling gangs which "have been allowed to embed industrial-scale smuggling enterprises across Europe" in recent years. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "One year into Labour's government and the boats haven't stopped - they've multiplied." Referring to the government's decision to abandon the Conservatives' plan to deport migrants to Rwanda, he added: "Labour tore up our deterrent and replaced it with fantasy. This is the worst year on record, and it's become a free-for-all. "We need a removals deterrent so every single illegal immigrant who arrives is removed to a location outside Europe. The crossings will then rapidly stop." The Number 10 spokesman said the problem requires "international solutions and international partnerships", which is "what you're seeing". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in May that he has talked to countries about "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers as the government is looking at the possibility of processing them in third countries before they are deported. Read more on Sky News:Lucy Letby hospital leaders arrestedUK heatwave latest updatesailgating deaths prompt new campaign French officials have also agreed to changes that would allow police patrolling the coast to take action in the sea when migrants climb into boats from the water, which is yet to come into effect. The government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is also continuing through Parliament, which will hand counter-terror style powers to police and introduce new criminal offences to crack down on people-smuggling gangs. Last month, Defence Secretary John Healey admitted on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the country had lost control of its borders amid a rising number of migrant arrivals. Last month, French police fired tear gas at migrants as No 10 admitted the situation was deteriorating.
