Consultation launched to extend Awaab's Law to private renters
UKPulse News Desk
A government consultation is now open to extend Awaab's Law, which sets legal deadlines for landlords to fix dangerous damp and mould, to private renters and other types of accommodation.
- The government is consulting on extending Awaab's Law to private renters, homeless families, care leavers, and people in supported housing.
- Awaab's Law, already in force for social housing tenants, sets legal deadlines for landlords to fix dangerous damp and mould.
- Extending the law could protect around 9 million households, up from 4 million currently covered in social housing.
A government consultation has opened to explore extending Awaab's Law to private renters and other types of accommodation. This law sets legal deadlines for landlords to address dangerous issues such as severe damp and mould.
The changes, already implemented in social housing, aim to provide faster repairs. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook stated that all renters have the right to a safe home and timely complaint responses.
The consultation will also consider applying Awaab's Law to temporary accommodation for homeless people, housing for young care leavers, and supported housing. This extension could more than double the number of protected households, from 4 million to approximately 9 million homes.
The consultation closes on 18 December 2026 and will help determine how Awaab's Law is implemented in the private rented sector, including the timeline for these new protections.
Why this matters: The extension of Awaab's Law aims to improve housing standards and ensure quicker repairs for dangerous conditions in private rented homes and other vulnerable housing sectors.
What this means for you: If you are a private renter, homeless, a care leaver, or live in supported housing, these proposed changes could lead to legal deadlines for your landlord to fix dangerous issues like damp and mould.