He Died Because of Mould

A sentence that should never have to be written.
A sentence no parent should ever have to say.

In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died in a cold, damp council flat in Rochdale — a home that had become toxic with black mould.

His parents had begged for help.
The landlord ignored them.

And Awaab’s short life was stolen by a system that failed him — again and again.

Say his name: Awaab Ishak

Who Was Awaab?

Awaab was a bright, curious toddler. He should’ve been running around parks, learning numbers, and annoying his parents with endless questions.

Instead, he died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in a property managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).

His parents raised concerns from the start. They submitted complaints.
They provided photos.
They even filed a legal disrepair claim.

Still, the mould was dismissed as “condensation.”
Their concerns were blamed on their “lifestyle.”

📍 Read the full report via Sky News

The Inquest: A Defining Moment for the Housing Sector

In 2022, a coroner’s inquest concluded that Awaab’s death was directly caused by the severe mould in his home.

“This should be a defining moment for the housing sector.”
– Coroner Joanne Kearsley

📍 Full inquest summary – Garden Court North Chambers

The findings revealed that:

• Complaints began in 2017

• No effective repairs were made

• A legal claim was filed in 2020, but RBH delayed action

• Awaab died six months later

This wasn’t just a tragedy.
It was avoidable.

Lifestyle Blame: The Most Insidious Excuse

RBH claimed that Awaab’s family had “caused” the mould by cooking and bathing, as though living in your home justifies dangerous conditions.

This isn’t a one-off excuse. It’s a systemic pattern used to dismiss immigrant, working-class, and marginalised families.

This case exposed how landlords use:

• “Condensation” as a scapegoat

• “Lifestyle” as a dog-whistle

• Delay tactics until tenants give up — or worse, until it’s too late

Awaab’s Law: Change in the Making

Awaab’s death sparked national outrage. Rightfully so.

It led to the proposal of Awaab’s Law — an amendment requiring social landlords to fix health hazards like damp and mould within strict legal timeframes.

But let’s be clear:

We should never have needed a law to protect children from mould.

Legislation is progress — but it won’t undo decades of institutional neglect and discrimination in UK housing.

Awaab Was Not Just a Symbol

He was a son, a brother, a bright child with a life full of potential.
And he is one of thousands of children living in unsafe homes today.

Let that sink in.

📢 What You Can Do

If you’re a tenant living in disrepair:

• Document everything — photos, written complaints, medical evidence

• Know your rights — mould is a health hazard, not a housekeeping issue

• Seek help — legal support is available

At Tenant Rescue, we help tenants hold landlords accountable. You don’t have to do this alone.

If you’re safe and housed:

• Use your voice

• Share Awaab’s story

• Email your MP and ask what they’re doing to prevent the next avoidable tragedy

In Memory of Awaab

We share this story with deep respect for Awaab Ishak and his family, who have shown immense courage through unspeakable loss.

This should never have happened.
And it must never happen again.

Tenant Rescue: Fighting So No Family Is Left Behind

We support families like Awaab’s — challenging neglect, exposing injustice, and demanding accountability.

Whether it’s black mould, pest infestation, or silence from landlords, we’re here for you.