The first phase of Awaab’s Law officially came into effect on October 27, marking one of the most significant reforms to the rental housing landscape in recent years. Designed to ensure tenants are no longer left living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions, the law compels social landlords to take urgent action when hazards are reported or face legal consequences.
Under the new rules, a specific set of emergency health and safety hazards must be fixed within 24 hours, while serious cases of damp and mould must be investigated within 10 working days and made safe within a further five days. Landlords must also provide tenants with written updates within three working days of any inspection.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the legislation was launched as a “legacy” to Awaab Ishak, the two-year-old who tragically died from prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s Rochdale social housing flat in 2020.
Reed said:
“Our changes will give tenants a stronger voice and force landlords to act urgently when lives are at risk, ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.”
Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), welcomed the legislation as a critical step forward for public health.
“The introduction of Awaab’s Law brings a renewed focus to the serious health risks posed by damp, mould, and water leaks in the home. It’s unacceptable that any tenant in a social housing setting should live in conditions that compromise their wellbeing.
“This legislation rightly places responsibility on landlords to act swiftly, but it also underlines the essential role of qualified plumbing and heating professionals. Preventing damp and mould is not just about responding to complaints; it’s about specifying the right systems, installing them correctly, and ensuring they are maintained to a high standard.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said;
“Awaab’s Law is more than another regulation to manage – it represents a long-overdue shift in how we view housing safety and standards across the UK. It forces us to confront what too many have ignored for too long: people – children – have died because action wasn’t taken soon enough. The law demands a response from everyone responsible for housing, not only the social landlords.
“For years, we’ve had the data, the inspection tools, and the legal framework. What’s been missing is consistency and accountability. Regular, evidence based inspections should already be standard practice – not something triggered by tragedy or the threat of enforcement.”
Joseph Brawn, product and marketing director at Vent Axia, highlighted how smart ventilation and data-driven maintenance can help landlords stay compliant and proactive:
“Awaab’s Law has shone a light on the importance of healthy homes and the critical role ventilation plays in keeping residents safe,” Brawn said. “Smart technology now allows landlords to identify early signs of damp or mould before they become serious, expensive problems.”
Across the housing sector, Awaab’s Law is being seen not just as a compliance requirement but as a cultural reset demanding urgency, professionalism, and accountability from every stakeholder involved in maintaining safe homes.