Three years after his inquest, Awaab’s Law comes into force
27 October 2025
Two-year-old Awaab Ishak (pictured). Credit: Family Handout.
After years of campaigning, Awaab’s Law has today (27 October 2025) been passed into law.
It honours the legacy of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in 2020 due to “prolonged exposure” to mould in his home, a coroner concluded. Awaab’s family and NHS staff repeatedly reported the issue to the social housing provider, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, but the problem remained unresolved.
Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver represented Awaab’s family during the inquest, instructed by Kelly Darlington from Farleys, and during the subsequent petition for Awaab’s Law launched by Shelter and the Manchester Evening News. The campaign, which included a petition signed by more than 170,000 people, prompted Government to open discussions over Awaab’s Law, publishing draft guidance in June.
Awaab’s Law requires social landlords to act within fixed timescales when significant hazards are reported. Phase 1 is the start of a phased implementation, with later phases extending those protections to other hazards.
As outlined by Christian Weaver in media interviews, the impetus remains on Government to ensure that Awaab’s Law is later widened to include private renters and well as social housing through the Renters’ Rights Act, a promise which Housing Secretary Steve Reed has made.
In a joint statement issued today, Christian and Kelly said:
“Today marks a huge milestone in the hard-fought campaign for Awaab’s Law. It is humbling that the implementation of Awaab’s Law comes just a few months before the five-year anniversary of his tragic death. It is also a testament to Awaab’s parents Faisal and Aisha, who have remained brave and dignified throughout while turning their unbearable tragedy into a legacy which protects and saves lives. They refused to let what happened to their little boy be in vain.
No longer will social renters be left legally and physically exposed to hazards under their own roofs. Phase One of Awaab’s Law sets clear, enforceable deadlines for how quickly social landlords must act when tenants report all damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to the occupier, and all emergency hazards – which are hazards posing an imminent and significant risk of harm to the occupier. We remind renters and landlords that this is part of a phased implementation, with later phases extending those protections to other hazards including falls, fire, and excessive cold or heat.
More than that, Awaab’s Law is a moral contract: a shared understanding between citizens, landlords and government that safety in the home is non-negotiable. Its success will not be measured in how many tenants take legal action against their landlords. Its success will be in the stories away from the spotlight: the child who avoids the development of breathing problems, or the family which no longer sleeps in damp bedrooms. No other home should ever be described as unfit for human habitation.
We implore the government to ensure all phases are implemented in their entirety. We are also encouraged by Housing Secretary Steve Reed’s promise to extend Awaab’s Law to private properties through the Renters’ Rights Act, which should provide a clear timeline.
Once again, we’d like to express our support for Awaab’s family and our admiration for their courage throughout this immensely tough process.”
Christian and Faisal have also spoken extensively to media outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Manchester, the Today Programme, ITV, Channel 5, The Big Issue, the Manchester Evening News, LBC and Sky News. He also penned this op-ed for iNews explaining his involvement in Awaab’s Law and what government must do to ensure it prevents lives like Awaab’s being lost in future.
Additional media
BBC News – Why so many UK homes are still dangerously mouldy – years after this toddler was killed
ITV News – Father of child who died from deadly mould in Rochdale felt he was ‘not treated like a human being’
Manchester Evening News – ‘I’m proud of my son Awaab – he’s going to save other lives’
iNews – I’m the lawyer behind Awaab’s Law – no baby should die in social housing again
Health Equals – New data shows more than 1 in 4 of us live in homes that could harm our health
Big Issue – Dad of boy who died due to mould in flat says he’s ‘proud’ of his son for saving lives
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
