On 6th February 2025, the government provided a written statement announcing the timescales for the implementation of Awaab’s Law.  Awaab’s Law, named after Awaab Ishak who tragically died as a result of mould exposure in his social housing, provides set timescales for social housing landlords to investigate and repair hazards within their homes.

The proposed phasing of the implementation is as follows:

• October 2025 – damp and mould hazards which present a significant risk of harm will need to be addressed within fixed timescales. Also, all landlords will need to ensure that emergency repairs are addressed within 24 hours.
• 2026 – requirements will expand to a wider range of hazards including “excess cold and excess heat; structural collapse; fire, electrical and explosions; and hygiene hazards.”
• 2027 – further expansion to cover all hazards (except overcrowding).

The Housing Ombudsman has welcomed the new measures and said “It is a basic human right to live in a safe and decent home. This law is an important step towards helping millions of people who do not – including 1 million children.” 

At Emerald Law we also welcome these changes to the law.  Despite the implementation in March 2020 of s9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requiring social housing landlords to ensure that their properties remain fit for human habitation, we repeatedly come across cases where landlords fail to recognise the potentially devastating impact damp and mould can have on tenants, many of whom are the most vulnerable in our society.  We are cautiously optimistic that the implementation of Awaab’s Law will help to change the culture of blame within many social housing providers.

Sarah Goodwin, Solicitor and Fee Earner Manager in our Housing Disrepair Team says “I am very pleased to read the announcement from the government this morning and, in particular, that damp and mould is at the forefront of the phased implementation.  Awaab’s Law is an important and necessary step towards ensuring that all social housing tenants live in safe and habitable homes.  I await to see, however, how well social housing providers will be able to cope with the new timescales.”