Decent Homes Standard

دليل

Awaab's Law, damp and mould: what landlords must do and by when

Awaab's Law sets fixed times to investigate and fix damp, mould and other serious hazards. It has applied to social housing since 27 October 2025. The Renters' Rights Act lets the government extend it to private lets; it is in consultation until 18 December 2026; no start date has been set. Until then your existing repair and fitness duties still bite.

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Renters' Rights Act: what changed for landlords

The Renters' Rights Act came into force in England on 1 May 2026. Section 21 is gone, every tenancy is now periodic, and rent rises follow one procedure. Here is what a self-managing landlord actually has to do differently.

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What is the minimum EPC rating to let a home in England?

A home you let in England needs an EPC rated E or better, unless an exemption is on the PRS Exemptions Register. The planned rise to C from 1 October 2030 is government policy but still needs new law.

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What can landlords be fined for in England? A checklist

Every penalty a private landlord in England can face, with the official maximum for each: the Renters' Rights Act's £7,000 and £40,000 civil penalties, rent repayment orders of up to two years' rent, deposits, fees, right to rent, gas, electrics, alarms, energy ratings and licensing. Maxima only, from GOV.UK and the legislation; councils set their own starting points.

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Awaab's Law

Rules setting fixed times for landlords to investigate and fix damp, mould and other serious hazards. In force for social housing; due to be extended to private lets.

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Category 1 hazard

The most serious level of hazard under the HHSRS. When a council finds one in a home, it must take enforcement action.

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EICR codes: C1, C2, C3 and FI

The codes an electrician uses on an EICR: C1 danger present, C2 potentially dangerous, FI further investigation needed, C3 improvement recommended.

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Fitness for human habitation

The legal requirement that a rented home is fit to live in at the start and throughout the tenancy, which tenants can enforce themselves in court.

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Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The method councils in England use to assess hazards in homes, such as damp, cold, falls and fire, and decide whether to take action against the landlord.

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Improvement notice

A formal notice from the council requiring a landlord to carry out specified works to remove or reduce a hazard by set dates.