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.
In short: Awaab's Law, named after Awaab Ishak, sets legal deadlines for landlords to investigate and fix hazards such as damp and mould. It has applied to social housing in England since 27 October 2025. The Renters' Rights Act allows it to be extended to private lets; the date is still to be confirmed.
Repairs and standardsThe Renters’ Rights Act
England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
For social landlords it means, in outline: emergency hazards made safe within 24 hours; significant hazards such as damp and mould investigated within set working days, findings in writing, and repairs started within a fixed time, with other accommodation offered if the home cannot be made safe.
For private landlords, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 gives the Government the power to apply similar requirements, and its implementation roadmap says the details and timing will be confirmed in due course.
Until then, private landlords already have to repair under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and keep the home fit to live in, and councils can act on hazards under the HHSRS.
Read more: Repairs, damp and mould: what the landlord must fix, and how fast
Related: HHSRS, Fitness for human habitation, Decent Homes Standard
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Related terms
Glossary
Decent Homes Standard
A standard a home must meet: free of serious hazards, in reasonable repair, with reasonably modern facilities and warm. Applies to social housing; planned for private lets.
Glossary
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.
Glossary
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.
Glossary
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.
Glossary
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.