Millions of renters in England are set to gain stronger protections as key elements of Awaab’s Law officially roll out today.
This initial stage of the new regulations places strict deadlines on social landlords to resolve dangerous housing conditions. Any urgent health or safety threat must be dealt with within 24 hours of being reported.
Significant damp or mould problems must be inspected within 10 working days, and steps must be taken to make homes safe within five days following that inspection. Landlords must also update tenants on what is happening within three working days of the assessment.
The rules emphasise the fair treatment of vulnerable residents. Landlords must take into account the needs of households with young children, disabled people or those with existing medical issues when evaluating risks. If a property cannot be made safe quickly enough, tenants must be offered somewhere suitable to stay.
Landlords who do not follow these standards could face penalties, including legal action, repayment of rent or compensation claims if homes become uninhabitable.
The law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to toxic mould in his Rochdale flat. His family fought for change, pushing for stronger accountability in social housing so tragedies like theirs do not happen again.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said that Awaab’s story highlights how vital safe housing is. He praised the family for their campaign, which he says will protect millions of lives moving forward by ensuring landlords respond quickly when tenants are at risk.
More parts of Awaab’s Law will be introduced next year and again in 2027. These additional measures aim to make homes safer from a wider range of hazards. The government is also continuing work to deliver 1.5 million new homes, including a major expansion of social and affordable housing.
Alongside the legislation, a £1 million fund has been launched to support new initiatives that strengthen communication between tenants and landlords. Successful applicants could receive up to £100,000 for projects that help residents have a greater voice in decisions affecting their homes.
Property Industry Eye, October 2025
