This morning’s devastating report by LBC News tells the heartbreaking story of another young child lost due to mould exposure in poorly maintained social housing. The tragedy unfolded in Hampstead, London, where a baby ingested toxic mould spores in a council property described by inspectors as unfit for habitation. This senseless loss echoes the circumstances surrounding the death of Awaab Ishak, and starkly reinforces why Awaab’s Law, coming into force this October, cannot come soon enough.
A Pattern That Must Be Broken
This is not the first time we have warned about the dangers of unchecked damp and mould in social housing. At Westbury FM, we have consistently called attention to the systemic neglect in property maintenance that endangers vulnerable tenants. In my previous articles:
- The Dangers of Poor Ventilation and Mould and Damp in Social Housing – I highlighted how poor ventilation and a lack of root cause analysis often lead to recurring mould problems.
- Tackling Damp and Mould: Practical Solutions for Social Housing Landlords – I laid out clear, actionable strategies for proactive maintenance.
- Why Proactive Maintenance Matters in Social Housing – I made the case that prevention is not only more humane but also more cost-effective.
And most recently, in [Awaab’s Law: A Defining Moment for Social Housing – Are You Ready?], I explained why this new legislation marks a pivotal shift from guidance to legal obligation, demanding rapid response times, enforced hazard categorisation, and preventative inspections.
A Legal and Moral Obligation
When Awaab’s Law takes effect in October 2025, it will impose strict deadlines on Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to resolve damp and mould hazards. Properties affected by excessive damp and mould will be legally classified as ‘non-decent’, placing landlords at risk of regulatory action, financial penalties, and reputational damage if they fail to address the issue.
But the absolute imperative here is moral. No child should ever die because their home was not safe. No family should have to bury a child due to a problem so preventable. The recent Hampstead case illustrates that despite the public outcry after Awaab’s death, many landlords still have not learned the lesson or taken the necessary action.
Time for Sector-Wide Accountability
The English Housing Survey found a three-point rise in damp issues in social homes since 2019, representing the steepest increase of any tenure. This should have prompted immediate action, but evidently, we are still waiting for enforcement to drive change.
Awaab’s Law represents not just a legal standard, but a wake-up call. The days of slow responses and tenant blaming are over. The law affirms that landlords are responsible for ensuring homes are healthy, habitable, and free from avoidable hazards.
Westbury FM’s Call to Action
At Westbury FM, we are already supporting housing providers in adapting to this new era of accountability. From implementing regular inspections to HHSRS compliance audits and data-driven maintenance strategies, we help our clients stay ahead of risk while enhancing tenant well-being.
We urge all social landlords to take proactive steps now, not in October, not after another tragedy has occurred. Compliance must not be the end goal. Safety, dignity, and health for every tenant must be ensured.
Turning Tragedy Into Change: We Owe It to Every Child
These children’s lives were priceless. Their deaths were preventable. Let them not become statistics buried in reports but catalysts for lasting change.
If you are a housing provider and want to ensure your portfolio is compliant with Awaab’s Law, we are here to help.
Let’s make sure this never happens again.
Contact:
Sonia Murton
Westbury FM
sonia.murton@westburyfm.co.uk
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References
- English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023: Housing Quality and Condition – Gov.uk. Available here
- Awaab’s Law Coming into Force – What it Means for Housing Providers – Construction Management. Available here
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): Guidance for Landlords and Property-Related Professionals – Gov.uk. Available here
- Damp and Mould: Understanding and Addressing the Health Risks for Rented Housing Providers – Gov.uk. Available here.
- Devastated parents claim mould-ridden flat contributed to baby’s death, as government slammed for Awaab’s Law delays: LBC News. Available here.
Thanks for reading,
Sonia Murton – Westbury FM – sonia.murton@westburyfm.co.uk
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