AWAAB'S LAW 2025
Awaab’s Law – Your Right to a Safe and Healthy Home
Awaab’s Law is a new law that protects social housing tenants in England from living in un safe or unhealthy homes.
It’s named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who tragically died in 2020 due to exposure to mould in his home.
The law was introduced through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 to make sure landlords act quickly when serious hazards are reported.
What the law requires
From 27 October 2025, all social housing landlords must follow strict timeframes when re sponding to serious health or safety hazards — such as damp and mould.
Key time limits:
- Emergency hazards (immediate risk to life or health)
→ Landlord must investigate and make safe within 24 hours of being told about the problem. - Serious damp or mould hazards
→ Landlord must inspect within 10 working days of the report.
→ If a risk is found, the home must be made safe within 5 working days of that inspection. - Written summary for tenants
→ Within 3 working days of inspection finishing, tenants must get a written report explaining:- What was found
- What actions are being taken
- When repairs will start and finish
- Further repairs or prevention work
→ Any extra works must be started within 12 weeks at the latest. - Alternative accommodation
→ If the home can’t be made safe in time, landlords must provide suitable temporary accommodation (free of charge) until repairs are complete.
When Awaab’s Law takes effect
- Phase 1 (from 27 October 2025): Emergency and serious damp/mould hazards
- Phase 2 (2026): Expands to include other hazards (e.g., electrical, fire, excess cold)
- Phase 3 (2027): Covers all remaining hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Learn more
- UK Government guidance for tenants: gov.uk/awaabs-law-tenants
- Government guidance for landlords: gov.uk/awaabs-law-landlords
- National Housing Federation overview: housing.org.uk/resources/awaabs-law