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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of social housing stock to meet the standards set out in the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, known as Awaab's law; and what it will cost to achieve those standards.

Social landlords are responsible for remedying disrepair and ensuring homes are fit for human habitation. They must also ensure homes meet the Decent Homes Standard and are free of category 1 hazards. 10% of homes in the social rented sector do not meet these standards and continue to be non-decent. The tragic and avoidable death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak highlighted the need for government to take proactive action to make clear to social landlords the timescales in which they must respond to hazards. That’s why powers for Awaab's Law were introduced through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

The details of the requirements to be introduced under Awaab's Law, including time limits for action, will be settled through the government's upcoming consultation. Alongside that consultation we will publish an impact assessment setting out the estimated costs of Awaab’s Law and we will seek further views and evidence on that assessment.