Awaab's Law latest as damp and mould reported at more than 2,000 RBH homes

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing's interim boss has welcomed the latest breakthrough on Awaab's Law - as more than 2,000 of its properties are affected by damp and mould. Plans to change the law in memory of Awaab Ishak were confirmed by the government last week.

Awaab died aged two in December 2020 following prolonged exposure to mould at his family's home on Rochdale's Freehold estate, which is owned and managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). The housing association knew about the problem for several months before his death, but failed to act.

Yvonne Arrowsmith, interim chief executive at RBH, met with housing secretary Michael Gove as he confirmed the government was amending a Bill currently going through Parliament in line with much of the demands of the Awaab's Law campaign. She said: "I support Awaab's Law and I am pleased that it will soon be on the statute book.

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"I want to again extend our deepest sympathies and apologies to Awaab's family. I was grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State last week to brief him on our recovery plan and to discuss the actions we are taking to make sure that all RBH homes are safe and comfortable for our tenants."

Ms Arrowsmith was tasked with turning around RBH following the sacking of Gareth Swarbrick in the aftermath of Awaab's inquest last November. RBH board members, who had given Mr Swarbrick their backing before axing the chief in a U-turn days later, also announced they would be standing down in 2023.

Three board members have now stepped down from RBH, with two new non-executive directors having started. RBH is currently recruiting for