Social housing providers are being warned that Awaab's Law goes far beyond addressing damp and mould issues in social housing. The legislation, sparked by the tragic case of two-year-old Awaab Ishmael who died from exposure to damp and mould in his home, is set to expand significantly this year.
Inventory Base, a property inventory organisation, has highlighted that new requirements will push landlords' legal obligations to cover a broader range of housing hazards. Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, says many view Awaab's Law as solely addressing damp and mould - but this is a 'dangerous misunderstanding'. The forthcoming phase of rules will see landlords required to identify, assess, and resolve risks within defensible timeframes.
Currently, Awaab's Law mandates that social housing landlords fix emergency hazards in 24 hours and investigate significant hazards within 10 working days. However, the new phase will extend these principles to a wider range of dangers, including excess cold and heat, fire and electrical safety issues, structural hazards, risks of falls, hygiene problems, and food safety concerns.
The emphasis is shifting from reactive repairs to proactive risk management and robust documentation. Ms Hemming-Metcalfe notes that landlords must maintain clear 'visibility' across property portfolios, possessing accurate information about property conditions, identified risks, and a clear audit trail of when these risks were recognised and what actions were taken.
The implications of failing to adapt are significant. The English Housing Survey 2024 found approximately 940,000 homes contained Category 1 fall hazards on stairs, dwarfing the 155,000 homes with Category 1 damp hazards. This data highlights the breadth of issues landlords must now address. Furthermore, Awaab's Law is set to extend to the private rented sector by 2027 under the Renters' Rights Act, with potential fines and civil penalties for non-compliance.
Landlords who adopt comprehensive risk management strategies early on will gain a valuable advantage - holistic visibility across their property portfolios. In an increasingly regulated environment, this is not just about reducing compliance risk, but also about demonstrating a commitment to residents' safety and well-being.