Dad of boy who died due to mould in flat says he’s ‘proud’ of his son for saving lives

The father of Awaab Ishak has spoken to Big Issue of his pride as Awaab’s Law comes into force to help millions of social housing tenants deal with damp and mould.

Awaab, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was just two years old when he tragically died in December 2020. A coroner’s report two years later found prolonged exposure to mould contributed to his death despite his family’s complaints to landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Today (27 October) the first phase of Awaab’s Law will come into force in England, forcing social landlords to act to fix damp and mould to stricter timeframes.

Speaking to Big Issue last week, Awaab’s father Faisal Abdullah said that the law will be a fitting legacy for his son.

“My son has passed away now but this has left me a legacy that I can remember,” said Abdullah, who has campaigned for justice and to save lives in social housing since news of his son’s death shocked Britain.

“It will make other people safe and they are grateful for it. When they have a problem they will use that law to resolve that problem. It means they are going to think about this person that will change their life and make it easier for them to get over this problem as soon as possible. I’m really proud of him.

“I think the law that is coming into force is a fitting legacy for him.”

The first phase of Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to take urgent action to fix dangerous homes for all four million of England’s social rented homes or face the full force of the law.

The new legal duties will force landlords forced to fix emergency health and safety hazards within 24 hours of reporting.

They must also 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. 

The second phase will cover more hazards like excess cold and heat, fire and electrical risks and hygiene hazards. A third phase will follow in 2027 to extend it to all remaining hazards covered by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, except overcrowding. 

Landlords now must also consider the circumstances of tenants which could put them at risk – including young children and those with disabilities or health conditions. Alternative accommodation must also be offered if homes cannot be made safe within the required timeframes. 

Housing secretary Steve Reed, who met Abdullah for the first time last week just before Awaab’s father spoke to Big Issue, 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 changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.” 

Abdullah told Big Issue of the “frustration” he felt when his complaints to his landlord were dismissed.

The coroner heard how the family were told to paint over mould when they called for help – despite Awaab’s worsening coughing.

The inquest also heard Rochdale Boroughwide Housing blamed “ritual bathing habits” for the mould in the one-bedroom Rochdale flat where Awaab Ishak’s family lived. It was a claim that was later found to be untrue.

But he told Big Issue that the support he had received in his mission to ensure no other family suffers had been left him feeling grateful.

He singled out former housing secretary Michael Gove for his initial efforts to help the family change the law as well as the support from Manchester Evening News, his solicitor Kelly Darlington, barrister Christian Weaver and the wider public.

“It has been hard for me to keep campaigning for my son and to change the law for other people,” said Abdullah, who is originally from Sudan. “I’m really grateful that I’ve got really good solicitors and barrister like Kelly and Stephen (Topping) from the Manchester Evening News. They’ve made big changes and they’ve really supported me a lot.

“Thanks to the public who keep supporting me too. I never imagined the support I would get from the public.”

Will Awaab’s Law fix damp and mould and save lives?

It remains to be seen how Awaab’s Law will work in practice.

The government has announced a new £1 million social housing innovation fund to create new ways to help tenants engage with their landlords and have more influence over decisions affecting their lives.

Gavin Smart, chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said “social landlords have been preparing for this change and have new processes in place to respond to these new requirements”.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said housing associations have increased spending on repairs and maintenance by 55% since 2020 with plans to spend a further £50 billion over the next five years.

“The quality and safety of residents’ homes is housing associations’ top priority, and today represents an important milestone in our sector’s drive to ensure all our homes are the standard residents deserve,” added Henderson.

Councillor Tom Hunt, chair of the Local Government Association’s Inclusive Growth Committee, warned “councils need sufficient funding to mitigate the existing pressures on housing stock so that they can put these new measures in place swiftly”.

But the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s (CIEH) president Mark Elliott said there were concerns over how the new law will be received.

He said the body was concerned about tenants’ willingness and ability to take direct legal action against landlords.

CIEH also raised concerns over a lack of clarity of what constitutes a serious or emergency hazard.

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“We welcome Awaab’s Law as a means of tackling poor housing conditions but are concerned that the most vulnerable tenants are the ones least likely to be able to use the tools in this law,” said Elliott.

The coming months will show Awaab’s Law if does make a difference to social housing tenants’ lives. The law is also going to be extended to private renters through the Renter’s Rights Bill and Scotland’s Housing Bill.

But, before then, the commencement of the law offers a chance to remember how Awaab Ishak’s family have taken an unimaginable and preventable tragedy and tirelessly campaign to save lives of others.

It also offers the opportunity to keep the memory of Awaab Ishak alive.

“He was my first child so I was playing with him, he was a very active kid. I was very happy with him all the time. When I go out we’d play ball and I’ve got lots of happy memories with him,” said Abdullah.

“I talk about him. My two daughters when they see the pictures they know that was their brother.

“Awaab’s Law is going to be saving a lot of people. That’s the main thing. At least it reminds me that I’ve got a son who has brought change in this country and changed the law.”

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