Awaab’s Law – Are you prepared?

Awaab’s Law – requiring all social landlords in England to adhere to strict new safety measures – comes into force on October 27. It is one of the biggest pieces of legislation since the Housing Act 2004, and represents a major shift in how social housing providers need to operate.

What does Awaab’s Law mean for my organisation?

Whether you’re a housing association, social landlord, or local government housing provider, you will need to take action to ensure compliance under the new rules. That means responding quickly to reports of damp and mould, investigating hazards within set timeframes, and keeping tenants informed throughout the process.

What are the timeframes under Awaab’s Law?

• Emergency hazards (like severe mould or structural issues) must be investigated and acted on within 24 hours.
• Non-emergency but serious hazards must be investigated within 10 working days.
• A written summary of findings must be provided to the tenant within 3 working days of the investigation being completed.
• If the hazard poses a serious risk, remedial work must begin within 5 working days.
• If delays are unavoidable, work must still begin within a maximum of 12 weeks.
• If the property cannot be made safe in time, tenants must be temporarily relocated at the landlord’s expense.
• The law will expand in 2026 and 2027 to cover additional hazards like excess cold, fire risks, and electrical safety.

These requirements are legally binding, and housing providers will need to show clear evidence of compliance.

What happens if we do nothing?

Failure to comply could result in serious consequences. Not only could tenants be exposed to unsafe living conditions, but landlords may face legal action, reputational damage, and increased scrutiny from regulators. The law is clear: delays and inaction are no longer acceptable.

How can we prepare for Awaab’s Law?

Start by reviewing your current processes for handling repairs and hazard reports. Make sure your teams understand the new timelines and responsibilities. Importantly, consider how technology can support your efforts.

Digital tools can help track repair requests, automate updates to tenants, and flag urgent issues before they escalate. Smart property management systems can log damp and mould reports, schedule inspections, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. Leading platforms are now using AI to prioritise cases based on risk, helping you stay ahead of compliance deadlines.

Using the right technology won’t just help you meet legal requirements – it will also improve communication, reduce delays, and build trust with tenants.

Where can I find out more?

Guidance is available from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, including the full government response to the Awaab’s Law consultation. The Regulator of Social Housing also provides updates and compliance expectations for social landlords.

The upcoming OneAdvanced Government and Housing Virtual Summit 2025 will explore pressing topics including how to stay ahead of upcoming legislation, compliance, use cases for AI in housing, cybersecurity, and risk management. Guest speakers will include experts from CIPFA, Socitm, and the National Housing Federation.