Awaab’s Law: Understanding the New Statutory Obligations for Social Landlords.

The introduction of Awaab’s Law represents a significant shift for social housing providers in England. Named in memory of Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his home, the legislation introduces strict, legally binding deadlines for addressing hazards in social housing.

The law came into effect on 27 October 2025 and replaces the previous “reasonable period of time” approach with clear, time-bound obligations, initially focusing on damp, mould, and emergency repairs. Social landlords-including local authorities and housing associations-remain fully responsible for compliance, even when maintenance work is outsourced.

Implementation Timeline:

The law is being introduced in three phases, expanding the scope of hazards while maintaining consistent statutory deadlines. The initial focus is on emergency hazards and damp and mould, with further hazards, including structural, fire, electrical, and environmental risks, covered in 2026 and 2027.

Key Obligations (Phase 1):

1. Emergency Hazards – Imminent risks such as gas leaks or loss of water must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
2. Significant Hazards (Damp and Mould) – Must be investigated within 10 working days; remediation to make the property safe must begin within 5 working days.

Additional Requirements:

1. Written communication to tenants within 3 working days of the investigation.
2. Preventative works should begin within 5 working days, with physical works starting within 12 weeks.
3. Alternative accommodation must be provided if hazards cannot be resolved within statutory timeframes.