New laws effective from 27th October 2025: What is Awaab’s Law: Awaabs Law was introduced following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak and forms part of the social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. The Law requires social landlords in England to act promptly when issues such as damp, mould, or other serious housing hazards are reported.

The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 come into effect on 27th October 2025, setting clear timeframes for inspection, investigation and repair – initially focusing on damp and mould before expanding to additional hazards from 2026.

Although Awaab’s Law applies directly to social housing providers, the standards it introduces are expected to influence the entire housing and maintenance industry – including private landlords, contractors and developers.  Proactive prevention and rapid remediation will soon be expected practice across the board.

Persistent damp & mould are more than cosmetic issues – they represent health, structural and compliance risks.

  • Health impact: Exposure to mould spores and damp environments can exacerbate asthma, allergies and respiratory illness.
  • Structural damage: Prolonged damp leads to decayed timbers, plaster failure and loss of thermal efficiency
  • Compliance risk:  Failure to address issues within the prescribed timeframe can result in penalties, reputational damage and legal enforcement

For contractors, the key is to ensure rapid identification, accurate diagnosis and use of proven remedial systems that provide long-term protection and help landlords stay compliant.