'A defining moment': Exactly how the tragic case of Awaab Ishak will bring about meaningful change
When the inquest of Awaab Ishak came to an end, coroner Joanne Kearlsey said it should be a 'defining moment' for housing - prompting immediate, meaningful change.
In her Prevention of Future Deaths report, sent to both housing secretary Michael Gove and health secretary Steve Barclay, Ms Kearsley raised five key issues that needed to be addressed. She warned the ministers: "In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken." The government says damp and mould should be considered in the first category - as a serious hazard. However, a review of the Decent Homes Standard is underway with ventilation given as a 'key element' of that - while plans are being drawn up for a Decent Homes Standard for properties in the private rented sector.
The government says the system is currently being reviewed to make it simpler to use - which could address one of the demands in the campaign for Awaab's Law, to provide tenants with clear information of their rights. It also says 'current research' will be used to include the likelihood of harm caused by damp and mould as part of the system, while a standalone damp and mould standard could be considered.
Communication broke down between the landlord and the legal firm involved, which did not inform RBH that the case had been dropped, Awaab's inquest heard. The government says such a policy - which RBH has since abandoned - is 'wrong' and 'led to the landlord slowing down its response to the disrepair'.
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