Matthew Pennycook has set out plans to extend Awaab’s Law to private rented homes, as the Government opened a consultation on how the protections should work.
The consultation, launched on 8 October, examines legal deadlines for landlords to repair dangerous conditions, including severe damp and mould.
It also considers whether the protections should reach temporary accommodation for homeless households, accommodation for care leavers and supported housing.
The housing and planning minister said renters should be able to live in safe homes and have complaints dealt with promptly, regardless of tenure.
Awaab’s Law already applies in social housing. It was introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 after prolonged exposure to damp and mould.
Responses are invited until 18 December. The consultation will inform both the design of the private-sector requirements and their implementation timetable.
