Awaabs Law

Awaab’s Law will come into force for the social rented sector from 27 October 2025. From this point social landlords will have to address all emergency hazards and all damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to tenants to fixed timeframes.  

In 2026 we will extend regulations to include the following hazards where they present a significant risk of harm:

• excess cold and excess heat
• falls associated with baths etc., on level surfaces, on stairs and between levels
• structural collapse, and explosions
• fire, and electrical hazards
• domestic and personal hygiene and food safety

In 2027, we will extend regulations to all remaining HHSRS hazards (apart from overcrowding) where they present a significant risk of harm.

Social landlords should ensure they are preparing for the future expansion of Awaab’s Law. This guidance includes information in relation to damp and mould hazards that will be in scope for the first phase of Awaab’s Law and will be updated to include other hazards ahead of the coming into force of further phases. We want to make sure that this policy works effectively through taking a ‘test and learn’ approach and will implement any lessons learned between phases.

The phased approach does not mean that social landlords have leeway on addressing dangerous issues in their homes in the meantime. Social landlords should continue to meet their legal duties to keep homes safe by fixing disrepair, and keeping their homes fit for human habitation and free of dangerous ‘category 1’ health or safety hazards. They should continue to meet the outcomes set out by the Regulator of Social Housing in its Safety and Quality standard.  

For more information visit the .gov website