The housing secretary has put social lodging suppliers “on notice” as he hit out on the “abhorrent” mouldy flat that killed two-year-old Awaab Ishak.
In a letter to each English council chief and social housing supplier, Michael Gove mentioned Awaab’s dying was an “appalling case of the utmost gravity” and “must never be allowed to happen again”.
Awaab died in December 2020 from a respiratory situation brought on by mould.
The boss of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), which ran the flat, was sacked on Saturday.
Two former workers have instructed Sky News that RBH had a “toxic and bullying culture”.
In his letter, Mr Gove mentioned he had been made conscious of many instances the place damp and mold had “gone unaddressed for far too long”.
He wrote: “Where people complain about damp and mould, you must listen; where you find them, you must take prompt action. To keep tenants safe, you must not hide behind legal process.
“All of us – together with my division – have to ship our accountability to folks dwelling in poor high quality housing.”
Councils are being requested to produce Mr Gove’s division with an evaluation of damp and mold affecting their privately rented properties, in addition to particulars of how it’s being tackled.
Local authorities have additionally been requested to record the variety of civil penalty notices and profitable prosecutions pursued in relation to harmful damp and mold.
Referring to current laws, Mr Gove mentioned he was asking suppliers to “prioritise the improvement of housing conditions” consistent with “duties in the Housing Act 2004”.
He added: “This becomes ever more urgent as we go into winter with a cost of living and energy crisis, which may exacerbate damp and mould conditions in some homes.”
The cupboard minister continued: “The tragic death of Awaab Ishak has rightly shocked people across the country. This is an appalling case of the utmost gravity and it is abhorrent that anyone should have to live in such conditions in Britain today.
“I’m placing housing suppliers on discover: I’ll take no matter motion is required to enhance requirements throughout the nation and guarantee tenants’ voices are heard.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their homes, and the death of a child like Awaab Ishak must never be allowed to happen again.”
Source: information.sky.com”