Awaab’s Law: Holding Landlords Accountable for Safe Housing
Landmark Legislation to Ensure Prompt Repairs and Protect Social Housing Tenants
From October, social landlords will be legally required to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould within a set timeframe, as well as address emergency hazards within 24 hours. This historic change, known as Awaab’s Law, is a major step in ensuring social housing meets safe and habitable standards.
Why Awaab’s Law is Necessary
The law is named in honour of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically lost his life in December 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale. His family has tirelessly campaigned to ensure no other tenant suffers the same fate due to landlord negligence.
With 7% of social rented homes affected by damp and 4% containing the most dangerous ‘category 1’ hazards, the need for stricter enforcement is critical. Until now, many tenants have faced long waits for urgent repairs, putting their health and safety at risk. Awaab’s Law will introduce clear legal responsibilities and enforceable deadlines for landlords to fix dangerous living conditions.
What Awaab’s Law Means for Tenants
Starting from October 2025, the law will:
Force social landlords to fix damp and mould hazards that pose a serious health risk within a specified timeframe.
Mandate emergency repairs, including damp and mould, to be completed within 24 hours.
Hold landlords accountable in court if they fail to comply, empowering tenants to take legal action.
The law will be introduced in phases to ensure effective implementation. Initially, it will focus on damp and mould before expanding to cover a broader range of housing hazards.
What’s Next? Strengthening Tenant Protections
Beyond Awaab’s Law, the government is committed to further improving housing standards, including:
Extending Awaab’s Law to private rentals through the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Introducing a revised Decent Homes Standard to ensure all rented homes meet minimum safety and energy efficiency levels.
Mandating electrical safety checks every five years in social housing, along with regular inspections of landlord-supplied appliances.
Urgent Action Needed Before October
Although Awaab’s Law will strengthen tenant rights, social landlords already have a duty to maintain safe homes under the Decent Homes Standard. They must act now to prevent further tragedies.
A Lasting Legacy
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasised the importance of these reforms:
“We have a moral duty to ensure tragedies like the death of Awaab Ishak never happen again. Landlords cannot be allowed to rent out dangerous homes and shamelessly put the lives of their tenants at risk.”
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook added:
“Awaab’s Law will drive transformational and lasting change, ensuring tenants are treated with fairness and respect.”
A Step Towards Safer Homes for All
The phased introduction of Awaab’s Law will provide lifesaving protections for millions of social housing tenants. By 2027, landlords will be legally required to fix all hazardous conditions within strict deadlines.
With these changes, tenants will no longer have to suffer in silence. Landlords will be held accountable, ensuring that safe, decent housing is a right, not a privilege.