Social housing tenants in Scotland will soon benefit from stronger protections against housing disrepair, including issues like damp and mould, thanks to the introduction of Awaab’s Law. This new legislation, named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who tragically died in 2020 due to mould exposure in his home, aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Under Awaab’s Law, the Scottish Government plans to amend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to enhance the powers of Ministers, enabling them to set clear timeframes for social landlords to address disrepair issues. These changes will be implemented through regulation, following sector consultations.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Scottish Social Justice Secretary, explained the law’s intent: “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. These new measures will ensure that tenants have confidence that any issues identified will be addressed promptly, to protect their health.”
Currently, Scotland has strong protections for social housing tenants, including the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme. Awaab’s Law will further strengthen these protections by ensuring faster and more effective responses to housing issues that could impact tenants’ health.
The introduction of this legislation reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving housing conditions and ensuring the safety of social housing residents.
