SOCIAL renters make up almost a quarter of the people who face damp, mould or cold issues, according to a study for the TUC-backed Health Equals campaign.

It found that 23 per cent of people who had damp, mould or condensation in their homes were social renters, while 21 per cent were in private rented accommodation.

The report found that the lowest-income households were almost twice as likely to face damp and mould compared with the highest-income households.

It comes as Awaab’s Law comes into effect on Monday, which will force landlords to act quicker on such issues.

The law was brought in following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 after he was exposed to mould at his home in Rochdale.

Under the new rules, emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours; alternative accommodation must be provided by the social landlord if longer is needed.

And significant mould and damp issues must be addressed within five working days.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.”

Some four million social-rent homes will be subject to the new rules.

But Cllr Tom Hunt from the Local Government Association warned: “Councils need sufficient funding to mitigate the existing pressures on housing stock so that they can put these new measures in place swiftly.”