Social housing residents in Scotland will soon receive greater protection against disrepair issues such as damp and mould with the introduction of Awaab’s Law.
Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 due to mould exposure in his home in Rochdale, this law aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Scottish Government plans to amend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to expand Ministers’ powers, allowing them to set timeframes for social landlords to investigate and address disrepair issues. These amendments will be introduced through regulation, following consultation with the sector.
Scottish Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:
“Introducing timescales and expectations for repairs aims to make sure this never happens to a child or their family ever again.
“Everyone in Scotland deserves the right to live in a warm, safe and secure home, free from disrepair. We already have a strong set of rights and standards that have been improving in Scotland.
“However, these measures will go even further and give power and confidence to tenants that any issues identified and repairs started in a timely manner, so any issues do not have a detrimental impact on their health.
“Our Housing Bill already contains proposals to improve tenants’ rights, and these measures will strengthen those even further to make sure their home is safe for them and their families.”
The new regulations will enhance existing provisions in the Bill, which focus on strengthening tenants' rights. Scotland already has robust legal protections for social tenants, including the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme. Awaab’s Law will build on these protections to ensure timely and effective responses to disrepair issues.
The introduction of Awaab’s Law demonstrates the Scottish Government's commitment to improving living conditions for social housing residents and preventing health hazards associated with poor housing conditions.
Image credit: iStock
