SOCIAL housing residents in Scotland are to be given greater protection against issues of disrepairs in homes through the introduction of Awaab’s Law, the Scottish Government has announced.
Awaab’s Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after being exposed to mould in his home in Rochdale.
Amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill intend to be introduced by the Scottish Government, which it said will broaden ministers’ powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation, following engagement with the sector.
The regulations will build on provisions already in the bill on strengthening tenants’ rights and Scotland’s existing legal protections for social tenants such as the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme.
Scottish Government 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 ever 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.”
