What Awaab’s Law Means for Social Housing.

Awaab’s law is now in effect and changes how quickly social landlords must respond to issues in homes. Coming into effect on the 27^th October 2025, the law was created after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 as a result of mould exposure.

What the law requires from social landlords

Awaab’s Law focuses on hazards that pose a risk to a tenant’s health, particularly damp and mould, which have been linked to severe respiratory illness. However, it also applies to other serious hazards identified under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), such as excess cold, fire risks, unsafe electrics, or poor ventilation. If a hazard is identified, landlords are legally required to investigate, fix the problem, and provide clear communication to tenants about the steps being taken.

Under the new law the deadlines for inspections and repairs are:

• Emergency Hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours of the landlord being made aware. These are any issues that pose an immediate and significant risk of harm to someone’s health.
• Damp and mould must be investigated within 10 working days of it being reported and then made safe within a further 5 working days.

How Awaab’s Law Changes Social Landlord Responsibilities

Awaab’s Law marks a significant shift in the approach to managing social housing, placing a stronger emphasis on proactive maintenance and tenant safety. Here’s how the new legislation changes the responsibilities of social landlords:

Shift from Reactive to Proactive Maintenance

One of the key changes introduced by Awaab’s Law is the requirement for social landlords to transition from a reactive to a proactive maintenance approach. Historically, many social landlords have waited for tenants to report issues, such as damp or mould, before addressing them. This often led to problems escalating before they could be dealt with effectively. Awaab’s Law requires social landlords to take a more proactive stance, anticipating issues before they worsen and ensuring that homes are safe and habitable for tenants.

Increased Inspections and Monitoring

With Awaab’s Law, regular inspections and continuous monitoring are now a central part of a landlord’s duties. This means conducting routine checks to identify and resolve problems like damp, mould, or poor ventilation before they affect tenants. The law also requires that inspections be thorough and timely, ensuring that any issues are identified at the earliest possible stage. Social landlords will need to keep detailed records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the law.

Need for Consistent Communication with Tenants

Clear and consistent communication with tenants is now a key part of the landlord-tenant relationship under Awaab’s Law. Tenants must be kept informed about the status of repairs, inspections, and any ongoing maintenance work. Landlords will need to make it easier for tenants to report issues, provide feedback, and stay updated on resolutions. Regular communication helps build trust and ensures that tenants feel heard and valued, especially when it comes to maintaining the quality of their living conditions.

Legal Consequences for Non-Compliance

Awaab’s Law also introduces legal consequences for social landlords who fail to meet their responsibilities. The Regulator of Social Housing has been granted more power to enforce compliance, including the ability to issue penalties for landlords who do not uphold the required standards. This is intended to ensure that landlords take their responsibilities seriously and prioritise tenant safety. Non-compliance could result in significant financial penalties and damage to the landlord’s reputation, making adherence to the law crucial.

Practical Advice for Social Landlords

To meet the requirements of Awaab’s Law and provide safe, high-quality housing, social landlords must implement practical strategies for effective management. Here are some actionable tips:

Implementing Streamlined Repair Reporting Systems

One of the first steps social landlords should take is to simplify and streamline their repair reporting systems. Providing tenants with easy-to-use channels to report issues, such as a dedicated online portal or a mobile app, can ensure that problems are flagged quickly and efficiently. Clear reporting mechanisms allow for quicker responses to maintenance requests and prevent delays in addressing issues.

Staff Training on Damp/Mould Assessment

Given that damp and mould are major concerns under Awaab’s Law, staff training is essential. Landlords should ensure that all maintenance staff, property managers, and inspectors are trained to recognise and assess damp and mould problems. This training should cover the causes of damp, the correct methods for treating it, and how to effectively communicate with tenants about the issue. Proper training will enable staff to respond effectively to complaints and prevent recurring problems.

Prioritising Vulnerable Tenants

Vulnerable tenants, such as the elderly, disabled, or those with young children, are at greater risk from health hazards like damp and mould. Under Awaab’s Law, social landlords should prioritise the needs of these tenants, ensuring that their homes are safe and well-maintained. Regular checks should be conducted to assess the condition of their properties, and landlords should offer extra support to vulnerable tenants when repairs or maintenance issues arise.

Conducting Regular Property Audits

To stay ahead of potential problems, landlords should conduct regular property audits. These audits should cover the entire property, from the roof to the foundation, to ensure that everything is in good working order. Regular property audits can help identify minor issues before they become major problems and ensure compliance with Awaab’s Law.

How Biocraft South West can help:

Damp surveys

At Biocraft South West, our extensive damp surveys not only help to identify damp and mould issues early on but also assist property owners, landlords, and housing associations in meeting their legal obligations under the new law. A detailed, professional survey can serve as a benchmark for remedial actions and compliance with regulations.

So don’t wait for the damp to appear, get in touch with us today to book your damp survey!

Damp proofing

Once a damp survey has identified the extent of the damp issue, we offer expert damp proofing services to effectively address the problem. Damp proofing involves applying various techniques and materials to prevent the ingress of moisture into the building fabric, which could lead to further structural damage or health risks. Preventing damp such as penetrating and rising damp, from appearing again.

If you’ve got a tenant who’s experiencing any damp or mould issues or you’re simply trying to adopt a more proactive approach. Get in touch with us and a member of our skilled team and we will be able to talk you through the best solutions for you and your tenants.