Overview

• Awaab's Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died from mould exposure in 2020, mandates social landlords to address hazardous housing conditions within fixed timeframes.
• The first phase begins in October 2025, requiring landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould within set periods and address emergency hazards within 24 hours.
• By 2026, the law will expand to cover additional non-emergency hazards, such as excess cold, fire risks, and structural collapse, with further expansions planned for 2027.
• Housing charity Shelter has criticized the phased timeline, claiming delays put tenants' health and safety at risk and undermine the urgency of the issue.
• The government has promised to extend Awaab's Law to private rentals but has not provided a timeline, citing consultations and ongoing legislative efforts.