Awaab’s Law
New Legal Standards for Social Housing Repairs in England
What is Awaab’s Law?
In December 2020, two-year-old, Awaab Ishak, sadly lost his life due to a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to black mould in his family’s Rochdale home. This tragedy highlighted the significant failures in the UK’s social housing system, and in response Awaab’s Law was created.
From October 2025, Awaab’s Law will legally require social landlords in England to investigate and complete any emergency repairs, including those involving damp and mould, within 24 hours of notification under Section 10A of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985.
From October 2025
- Social landlords will have to address damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to tenants to fixed timescales
- Social landlords will have to address all emergency repairs including for damp and mould or other hazards as soon as possible and within no longer than 24 hours
In 2026
- Requirements will expand to apply to a wider range of hazards. In addition to damp and mould, the hazards we expect to extend Awaab’s Law to, in this second stage of implementation, include excess cold and excess heat; falls; structural collapse; fire, electrical and explosions; and hygiene hazards
In 2027
- The requirements of Awaab’s Law will expand to the remaining hazards as defined by the HHSRS (excluding overcrowding)
Within 10 Working Days
- Investigate and provide a written summary of findings
- A report must be issues within 3 working days of investigation
Within 5 Working Days of Investigation
- If a significant risk to health or safety, repairs must begin (within 24 hours if an emergency)
If a property cannot be made safe in the specified timescales, alternative accommodation must be arranged.
A comprehensive record of all attempts to comply must be kept.
