The government says it’s reviewing landlord guidance on the health risks of damp and mould following the death of two year old Awaab Ishak.

Although Awaab died in a social housing flat – and the provider has been stripped of its funding – the government over the weekend responded to comments about both private and public sector renting, made by a coroner.

A joint letter from Housing Secretary Michael Gove and Health Secretary Steve Barclay specified five areas of concern.

These were the need to update current guidance to social homes to include damp and mould, a review of the housing health and safety rating system, to improve the availability of health information, the need for housing associations to carry out repairs while tenant disputes were ongoing, and the need for private tenants to have access to an ombudsman scheme.

In the joint letter Gove says: “Awaab Ishak’s death was a tragedy that should never have occurred. People across the country were horrified to hear about the terrible circumstances that led to it.

“Awaab’s case has thrown into sharp relief the need for renewed action to ensure that every landlord in the country makes certain that their tenants are housed in decent homes, and they are treated with dignity and fairness.”

He says the government is working on introducing time limits landlords must meet on investigating hazards, and creating a new private rental sector ombudsman service as part of wider private renting reforms.