Awaab’s Law
Awaab’s Law is a set of new legal rules that require landlords to deal with serious housing hazards within fixed time limits, introduced after the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged exposure to mould in social housing.
From 27 October 2025, social landlords in England must:
Investigate and make safe emergency hazards. For example dangerous structural defects, gas leaks, severe damp and mould within very short timescales, typically 24 hours to make safe.
Investigate significant damp and mould hazards within set deadlines and complete remedial works within prescribed periods.
The regime will then widen in phases to cover a broader range of HHSRS hazards through 2026–27 in the social housing sector.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, government has committed to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector (PRS) as part of a later implementation phase, alongside the modernised Decent Homes Standard. Timescales and detailed rules for private landlords will follow consultation, but the direction of travel is clear. PRS landlords will face statutory deadlines and clearer liability for failing to tackle damp, mould and other serious hazards promptly.
For landlords, Awaab’s Law makes robust repairs and maintenance systems, prompt responses, clear communication and thorough record keeping essential, not optional. Landlord software can help with this.
