A huge congratulations to Evie for completing the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11 October!
Awaab’s Law was introduced in response to the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically passed away due to prolonged exposure to toxic mould in his social housing.
With Phase One officially coming into force in October 2025, Phase Two is due to be rolled out at the end of November 2026, broadening the responsibilities of social housing landlords.
Each new phase expands the strict investigation and repair timelines to cover additional hazards, such as excessive cold and heat.
Social housing providers need to build compliance with Awaab’s into their everyday protocols, ensuring complaints about hazards are resolved within statutory timescales.
Complying with Awaab’s Law
Damp, mould and other hazards can have a significantly detrimental impact on the health of tenants.
Awaab’s Law has introduced statutory requirements for social housing providers to identify potential hazards, understand the degree of risk and take action within set timeframes.
Emergency hazards must be investigated and rectified within 24 hours of a landlord becoming aware of their existence. By contrast, significant hazards must be investigated within 10 days of a complaint being made.
For non-emergency hazards, required safety repair works should begin within five working days after the end of an investigation.
If the home cannot be made safe within the timescales outlined, suitable alternative accommodation must be provided at the expense of the landlord. While Phase One covers all emergency hazards and significant damp and mould that pose a safety risk, Phase Two expands the rules to a wider range of significant hazards.
What are the consequences of non-compliance?
Failure to comply with Awaab’s Law could mean social housing landlords face financial penalties, reputational damage and regulatory risk.
Landlords may face complaints to the Housing Ombudsman or potential legal action if hazards are not addressed within statutory timeframes.
Civil penalties can range from up to £7,000 for initial breaches and up to £40,000 for severe infractions, alongside reputational fallout and damage to landlord-tenant relationships.
With the stakes for non-compliance so high, social housing landlords must have procedures in place to ensure timeframes are met and tenant health is safeguarded.
Speak to a solicitor
Awaab’s Law places a lot more responsibility on social housing providers and substantially shifts how hazards must be investigated and addressed.
Our solicitors can evaluate whether your current procedures meet the statutory requirements and help identify compliance risks.
With Phase Two coming into force soon, social housing landlords should seek legal advice to reduce regulatory risk and ensure the safety of tenants remains the core priority.
Unsure how the next phase of Awaab’s Law is likely to impact your social housing stock? Speak to our solicitors for expert advice on remaining compliant.
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