Introduction
In October 2025, a significant change in housing regulation came into force in England: Awaab’s Law. Named after two‑year‑old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home, the law places new legal obligations on social‐housing landlords to respond quickly to hazards such as damp and mould. GOV.UK+3Waltham Forest+3GOV.UK+3
For organisations like yours — involved in electrical, fire and building safety compliance — understanding Awaab’s Law is vital. Not only does it affect landlords and housing associations, but it also emphasizes the importance of safe and well‑maintained homes.
What is Awaab’s Law?
Awaab’s Law (technically the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025) introduces specific duties for social landlords. Key points:
- From 27 October 2025, social landlords must act within defined timelines when dealing with significant damp and mould hazards and other emergency hazards. GOV.UK+2South Holland District Council+2
- Emergency hazards (for example, serious damp/mould, structural risk) must be investigated within 24 hours of being reported. GOV.UK+2ncha.org.uk+2
- Significant damp or mould hazards must be investigated within 10 working days of being reported, and following investigation, the landlord must begin works within 5 working days. GOV.UK+1
- A written summary of the investigation findings must be shared with the tenant within 3 working days of the investigation ending. South Holland District Council+1
- Further phases from 2026 and 2027 will extend the law’s scope to more hazards including excessive cold/heat, fire and electrical risks. Homeless Link+1
Why This Matters for Landlords, Housing Professionals & Compliance Firms
- Legal & contractual liability: Awaab’s Law effectively inserts an implied term into social tenancy agreements, requiring landlord compliance. Failure can lead to legal action and tenant redress. GOV.UK
- Safety & health risk focus: Many electrical and fire‑safety hazards coincide with the law’s focus (e.g., mould from poor ventilation, latent electrical faults increasing risk). Keeping homes electrically and fire safe aligns with the law’s purpose.
- Reputation & regulatory risk: Housing providers that fail to meet timelines or keep tenants informed risk regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage.
- Market opportunity for service providers: Companies offering inspection, electrical/fire safety upgrades, maintenance, and hazard‑removal services can highlight how they help landlords meet the timetable and reduce risk.
Practical Steps: How to Prepare for Awaab’s Law Compliance
Here’s a checklist for landlords or compliance firms (such as fire & electrical service companies) to integrate into their operations:
- Audit existing properties for damp/mould and other hazards. If you’re inspecting consumer units, wiring, fire alarms or emergency lighting, include damp/mould checks in your site visits.
- Define and document timelines. Ensure you can investigate reported hazards within the required 10 working days (or emergency within 24 hrs) and start remedial works within 5 working days where required.
- Communication process. Have templates ready to send tenants the written summary within 3 working days of inspection.
- Record‑keeping and tracking. Maintain logs of reports, investigations, remedial works, and communications. This is key if a tenant or regulator requests proof of compliance.
- Integrate electrical & fire safety services. Since future phases will bring in fire and electrical hazards, ensure your inspections cover:
- Consumer unit and wiring condition
- Smoke/heat alarms and fire alarms
- Emergency lighting and fire doors
- Ventilation & heating systems (which can contribute to mould)
- Training & readiness. Make sure your engineers or contractors are aware of Awaab’s Law requirements and know what qualifies as a “significant hazard” or “emergency hazard”.
- Alternative accommodation plan. If a property cannot be made safe within the required timeframe, landlords may need to provide alternative accommodation. Make sure this is understood. South Holland District Council
FAQs – Common Questions About Awaab’s Law
Q: Does Awaab’s Law apply to private landlords?
A: Not yet. It currently applies to social landlords (housing associations, local authorities). Extension to private rented sector is expected in the future. Homeless Link+1
Q: What counts as an “emergency hazard” or “significant damp and mould hazard”?
A: Emergency hazards include situations posing immediate risk to life or health (e.g., major leaks, structural collapse, dangerous electrical faults). Significant damp/mould hazards are those posing serious risk due to mould, condensation or dampness affecting health. GOV.UK+1
Q: What role do electrical and fire services play with Awaab’s Law?
A: Electrical faults, poor wiring, missing fire alarms or emergency lighting all fall under broader safety hazards and will increasingly be included under future phases of the law. Ensuring homes are safe from electrical/fire hazards aligns with the law’s direction.
Conclusion
Awaab’s Law marks a significant turning point for social housing in England — prioritising tenants’ health and safety and requiring faster, more transparent responses to dangerous housing conditions. For homes that you inspect, maintain or manage (especially if you offer electrical, fire‑safety, or property compliance services), this regulation highlights the urgency of safe, compliant properties.
If you’re involved in managing, maintaining or servicing residential properties, now is the time to review your inspection, reporting and remedial‑works protocols. Meet the new timetable. Improve tenant safety. Stay ahead of the regulatory curve — and help ensure tragic cases like that of Awaab Ishak never happen again.
Contact us
If you manage properties or offer services in housing compliance, our team at [Your Company] can help you review your inspection process, integrate electrical/fire safety checks and stay fully ready for Awaab’s Law. Contact us today for a consultation or compliance audit.
