Industry News


‘Awaab’s Law’ must be extended to private rented sector


T


he Citizens Advice charity is demanding the private rented sector should be covered by the same new standards on damp


and mould being introduced for social housing properties, under the proposed ‘Awaab’s Law’. Te new law is being introduced in memory


of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died in 2020 aſter prolonged exposure to mould in his parents’ Rochdale flat. His death has prompted a raſt of actions from Government and regulatory bodies, in a concerted effort to improve property conditions. Social housing landlords will need to investigate


and fix health hazards, including damp and mould, within strict new time limits. Timescales of 14 days for a landlord to investigate a problem and seven days to make good on the repairs are being consulted on. Based on the results of its research about


conditions in the private sector, Citizens Advice wants the Government to extend the new responsibilities to private landlords and to follow through on a promise to make sure all new private rental properties are upgraded to a minimum EPC Rating of C by 2025 and existing tenancies by 2028. Landlords are only required to bring their properties up to an E Rating if the improvement


The new law is being introduced in memory of two- year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his parents’ Rochdale flat. His death has prompted a raft of actions from Government and regulatory bodies, in a concerted effort to improve property conditions


works do not exceed £3,500. Te charity wants the cap on landlord investment to be increased from £3,500 to £10,000. Te charity’s research shows that 1.6 million


children are living in privately rented homes with damp, mould or excessive cold. Teir analysis suggests more than half of private renters in England are struggling with one or more of these issues right now. Taking action to upgrade property conditions


could slash tenants’ energy bills and help reduce the public health concerns caused by cold, damp and mouldy homes. Tis would also complement the Government introducing a Decent Homes Standard covering the private rented sector for the first time.


Gillian Cooper, head of energy policy at Citizens


Advice, said: “Every week we hear stories of people living in cold, damp and mouldy properties they can’t afford to heat properly.” “Improving energy efficiency in privately rented


homes has never been more urgent. It’s the step needed to keep people’s essential bills low, while also helping to protect their mental and physical health.” Te charity found that private tenants are 73%


more likely to live with damp if they live in a property with an EPC Rating of D-G, rather than A-C. Te average private sector tenant in England spends £350 more a year on heating because of poorly insulated and damp homes, while those in the least efficient properties are paying an extra £950, according to Citizens Advice.


£42 million to support delivery of building safety reforms


Te Government is providing funds to support the recruitment and training of more than 220 Building Control Inspectors and Fire Inspectors working with the new Building Safety Regulator. A total of £42.5 million is being made available


over the next three years. Tis will support the delivery of tough new standards for managing building safety for higher-risk buildings brought in by the Building Safety Act. Te package consists of a £16.5m grant to


Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the representative body for local authority building control in England and Wales, and £26m to support the Fire and Rescue Services in England and the National Fire Chiefs Council. Te grant funding will enable local regulators


to recruit, train and employ new Building Control Inspectors and Fire Inspectors. Tese local partners will support the work of the new Building Safety Regulator in overseeing the safety and standards of the design, construction and management of higher-risk buildings, as well as strengthening the sector as a whole. Around 110 Building Inspectors and 111 new Fire Protection Officers across England will be


recruited and receive high-quality training over a three year programme designed to direct skills and resources to areas with a greater distribution of high-rise buildings. Peter Baker, chief inspector of buildings at the


Health and Safety Executive said: “Local Authority and Fire and Rescue Services are vital to the delivery of the new safety regime for higher-risk residential buildings. I welcome the work to quickly increase capability and capacity so our regulatory partners can deliver their important roles. Our common goal is ensuring the success of the new regime in keeping residents safe in their homes, now and in the future.” LABC chief executive, Lorna Stimpson said:


“We are delighted to have secured this funding to provide much needed additional resources for our local authority members in England. Building control surveyors are a scarce commodity and so it’s important that we start to invest in this previously underfunded but vital public service role. We welcome the role that local authority building control will have as part of the new building safety regulator’s multi-disciplinary teams, and in helping to implement the reforms


6 | HMMApril/May 2023 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


LABC chief executive, Lorna Stimpson said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding to provide much needed additional resources for our local authority members in England”


recommended by Dame Judith Hackitt.” Under the new regime, Building Control


Inspectors, Fire Inspectors and Fire Engineers will be the local partner regulators of the new Building Safety Regulator in the Health and Safety Executive. Te Building Safety Regulator will have


new powers and responsibilities to ensure the safety of all buildings and will have additional responsibilities for how higher-risk buildings should be constructed and safely maintained.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36