Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Awaab’s Law: Private Rented Sector

Monday 5 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial questions focused on the tragic case of Awaab Ishak, highlighting issues of mould and damp in private rented properties.
  • The Government plans to introduce a decent homes standard in the private rented sector at the earliest legislative opportunity.
  • The Renters (Reform) Bill aims to abolish section 21 evictions, addressing one cause of homelessness.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Housing
Context

Refers to the tragic case of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home. Despite multiple complaints, no action was taken by the social landlord.

Question

May I remind the House of the tragic case of Awaab Ishak? He was a two-year-old boy living with his parents in Rochdale, who tragically and needlessly died due to prolonged exposure to mould. The coroner stated that damp and mould are significant issues in the private rented sector. The decent homes standard will not appear in the Renters (Reform) Bill, and there is no equivalent to Awaab's law for the private sector. Will the Secretary of State ensure proper measures are put in place?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The House is united in expressing sincere sympathies about Awaab Ishak's tragedy. The Government is improving quality properties across the private rented sector and will introduce a decent homes standard at the first legislative opportunity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific measures or timeline for introducing a decent homes standard in the Renters (Reform) Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Housing Environment
Context

Refers to the case of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home. Despite multiple complaints over years, no action was taken by the social landlord.

Question

In the tragic case of Awaab Ishak, he died due to prolonged exposure to mould and despite several complaints from his family, his social landlord took no action, blaming it on the family. The coroner highlighted that damp and mould are significant issues in private rentals too. Despite this, there is no decent homes standard or equivalent to Awaab's law for private rented sector. Will the Secretary of State go back to Department and put proper measures ensuring decent homes?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government is improving quality properties all across the private rented sector. A decent homes standard will be introduced at the first legislative opportunity, and we are going to end section 21 evictions which cause homelessness.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific measures or timeline for introducing a decent homes standard in the Renters (Reform) Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Housing
Context

Over the past 13 years, homelessness has increased with over 100,000 households in temporary accommodation including 127,000 individual children. Many are in appalling conditions.

Question

The Government's lack of strategy on combatting homelessness is failing vulnerable children. Over 13 years, the number of households in temporary accommodation has doubled to over 100,000, including 127,000 individual children. The number of families with children in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for longer than the statutory maximum increased by 196%. When will they do something about it?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government is taking homelessness seriously and has introduced the Renters (Reform) Bill, a major reform of the private rented sector. This measure abolishes section 21 evictions, one cause of homelessness.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or plan to address increased numbers in temporary accommodation and B&Bs

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email