Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate his Department has made of the potential costs that local authorities will incur as a result of implementing Awaab’s Law on investigating and fixing damp and mould in properties within new time limits; and if he will provide earmarked additional funding for local authorities to implement those requirements.

Awaab's law was introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from the effects of damp and mould that was left untreated in his home. All landlords must ensure that their homes are safe, warm and decent.

Social landlords already have a responsibility to meet the Decent Homes Standard (which specifies homes must be free of the most dangerous 'category 1' hazards), to ensure their homes are fit for human habitation, and to remedy disrepair. Awaab's law will establish the timeframes within which landlords have to fulfil those responsibilities.