Awaab's Law arrives in Scotland

Awaab’s Law is to be introduced in Scotland, which will give tenants greater protection against damp and mould in their house due to landlord neglect. 

This is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after prologued mould exposure in his home in Rochdale.

The Scottish government is set to introduce amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will incorporate the law into legislation. Ministers will be able to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation and engagement.

These regulations will build on measures in the Bill to further strengthen tenants’ rights and Scotland’s existing legal protections for renters such as the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme.

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 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.”