Jeff Charlton, the founder of Building Forensics and regarded as Britain’s leading expert on mould and building-related health conditions, has urged the government to immediately revisit Awaab’s Law amid fears it may fall short of protecting tenants.
Charlton describes the legislation as “not fit for purpose,” warning that unless significant adjustments are made, the law could inadvertently inflict further harm on those it seeks to safeguard.
Brought into force after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, the legislation requires landlords to act swiftly on damp and mould problems. Awaab’s fatal respiratory condition followed prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing, despite his parents repeatedly alerting their landlord.
With over 30 years of specialist experience, Charlton’s connection to the issue is also shaped by personal tragedy. When his daughter was diagnosed with aggressive leukaemia, he later discovered that toxic mould in her home had contributed to her illness, motivating him to investigate environmental health risks more deeply.
“I have written this in respect of the mum and dad because if we don’t get this right, and we haven’t, this is going to cause more harm,” said Charlton.
“For the good of the country, I am making this available for free because this needs to be seen and understood. The law is a nonsense. That is why I have written my report, ‘The Failures within Awaab’s Law,’ which examines all the failures that are unfortunately present.
“There were at least 270 flaws identified during the inquest into Awaab’s death, yet these were used to create the law. It is not worth the paper it is written on, and I want to shine a light on this situation,” Charlton explained.
A free copy of his report, “The Failures within Awaab’s Law,” may be requested by emailing [email protected].
