A KEIGHLEY housing boss has welcomed Government plans which could see social landlords having to carry out emergency repairs in homes within 24 hours.

The new requirement is part of a consultation on proposed measures under legislation named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in December, 2020, from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home at Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Social landlords would be required to investigate hazards within 14 days and start fixing them within a further seven days, and make any emergency repairs within 24 hours.

Under the proposals, landlords who fail to act on issues within the timeframe could be taken to court, where they may be ordered to pay compensation for tenants.

Backing for the plans has been voiced by Lee Bloomfield, chief executive of Manningham Housing Association, which manages more than 1,400 affordable homes in Keighley and Bradford.

He says: "What happened in Rochdale was shocking and completely unacceptable.

"Unfortunately, some housing associations fail to meet the high standards all tenants should rightly expect and, for that reason, the new legislation is welcome.

"However, no family living in a housing association property should find themselves in the conditions that Awaab and his family were forced to endure.

"His death was a shameful tragedy.

"Awaab’s legacy must be one of safer properties, better communications and much swifter, accountable actions from landlords."

The proposals are also welcomed by Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party on Bradford Council.

But he says the regulations should apply to private landlords too, not just social landlords.

He adds: "Awaab died because his home – the place where he should have been safest – was dangerous due to failings by his landlord to tackle damp and mould.

"As a councillor, I have been working with residents to address issues of damp in homes here.

"It has been incredibly worrying to hear so many of them have been ignored when they first raise the issue.

"In many cases it’s taken me as an elected official to get involved before housing associations start to address the problems.

"However, it concerns me that these proposals only extend to social landlords – they should also apply to private landlords.

"Many people in private rented accommodation are afraid to raise problems like damp because they're worried about being issued with an eviction notice.

"It is scandalous that landlords can do this."