The Building Engineering Services Association has welcomed the new government’s commitment to reinforce the rules that require landlords and their agents to improve living conditions for tenants.

The private rental sector will become subject to the same building safety rules that already apply to social housing providers under the new Renters Rights Bill, which is expected to demand that landlords and their agents would now be required to address mould and damp conditions within 24 hours of being notified. This is as set out in legislation known as Awaab’s Law in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died from mould exposure at his Rochdale home in 2020.

The legislation is expected to require landlords and agents in England to carry out emergency repairs within 24 hours, fully investigate issues within two weeks, and begin repairs within a further seven days. Failing to meet the deadlines leaves landlords liable to legal action by tenants and having to pay compensation. Records must be kept showing they have made attempts to comply with the time limits.

“The promise to extend the reach of Awaab’s Law is something we called for during the election campaign. It goes to the heart of efforts to tackle a growing health crisis caused by appalling conditions in far too many homes” says BESA’s chief executive officer David Frise.

“The prevention and eradication of mould and damp continues to be a source of great frustration for our industry,” he added. “We understand the problem, which often comes back to inadequate ventilation, but too often the investment is not forthcoming despite this being such a crucial health issue.”

The Association also welcomed the government’s commitment to “repair our broken planning system” to smooth the path of infrastructure, housing and renewable energy projects through a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

BESA added that it was also encouraged to see that the new government was framing the debate about renewables and green engineering in terms of economic growth.