🏠What Is Awaab’s Law?
Awaab’s Law, effective from 27 October 2025, mandates that social landlords in England address hazardous living conditions—specifically damp and mould—within strict timeframes. The law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who tragically died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to untreated mould in his home. His case highlighted severe failures in housing safety standards and landlord accountability.
⏱️ Key Deadlines Under Awaab’s Law
For social landlords, the law establishes the following timelines:
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Emergency hazards (e.g., severe damp or mould affecting health): Must be addressed within 24 hours.
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Significant hazards (e.g., less severe but persistent damp or mould): Investigation within 10 working days, with remedial work completed within 5 working days thereafter.
These measures aim to ensure swift action to protect tenants’ health and safety.
🚫 No Blame on Tenants’ “Lifestyle”
Landlords are prohibited from attributing damp and mould issues solely to tenants’ daily activities, such as cooking or drying clothes. The Housing Ombudsman has emphasized that such assumptions are unacceptable and must not deter landlords from investigating and addressing the hazards.
🛠️ What Tenants Should Do
If you’re experiencing damp or mould issues:
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Report the issue to your landlord or housing association in writing.
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Keep records of all communications, including dates and descriptions of the problem.
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Take photographs of the affected areas.
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Seek advice from organizations like Shelter or your local council if the issue persists.
Under Awaab’s Law, landlords are required to act promptly upon receiving such reports.
⚖️ Enforcement and Penalties
Landlords who fail to comply with these obligations may face:
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Fines of up to ÂŁ7,000 for initial breaches.
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Increased penalties for repeated or severe infractions.
Additionally, tenants have the right to escalate unresolved issues to the Housing Ombudsman for further action
🔜 Future Implications
While Awaab’s Law currently applies to social housing, there are plans to extend similar regulations to the private rented sector through the Renters’ Rights Bill. This move aims to standardize housing quality and tenant protections across all sectors.




