In October 2025, Awaab’s Law took effect in England – a landmark change forcing social housing landlords to treat damp and mould as the urgent hazards they are. Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died from respiratory illness caused by prolonged exposure to black mould, the law aims to prevent future tragedies by setting strict deadlines for landlords to act. In plain terms: if damp or mould issues are reported, landlords (especially housing associations and councils) must now respond fast or face legal consequences.
What is Awaab’s Law, and why was it needed?
Awaab’s Law was born out of a public outcry after Awaab Ishak’s death in 2020. An inquest found his fatal illness was directly linked to prolonged mould exposure in his Rochdale flat. His family campaigned for change, highlighting how the lack of clear rules let landlords delay fixing his home. The government responded by enacting new statutory duties. The first phase (in force from 27 Oct 2025) primarily targets serious health and safety hazards – including hazardous damp and mould – in social housing. These duties make tenants’ safety a legal priority.
Officially, the law requires social landlords to assess and remediate Category-1 hazards within defined timescales. “Category 1” means the worst level under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) – essentially, conditions that could cause illness or injury within a year. Source: Gov In practice, “hazardous damp/mould” under Awaab’s Law means any significant damp or mould problem that a qualified inspector would judge as a Category-1 hazard (for example, black toxic mould, extensive wet rot, or pervasive condensation causing respiratory risks).
“Reasonable timescales” in practice
So what are these strict time limits landlords must meet? The government press release and housing guidance spell it out: upon notification of significant damp and mould, a social landlord must investigate within 10 working days and then make the property safe within 5 more working days. Meanwhile, any emergency hazards (like a gas leak or a collapsing floor) must be fixed within 24 hours. After each inspection, the landlord must also write to the tenant within 3 working days with the findings. In short, you can’t wait weeks or months; the law effectively demands that serious damp problems be assessed in about two weeks and then cured in one. These are far shorter than typical repair schedules in the past.
The phrase “reasonable timescale” in the legislation therefore translates to specific deadlines: 10 working days to inspect damp/mould and 5 working days thereafter to remediate (with written feedback 3 days after inspection). For comparison, under the new national rules (after Awaab’s Law) almost anything seriously dangerous – like loose handrails or roof leaks – must also be fixed on a set timetable. The point is, a landlord can no longer brush off a damp complaint for months.
Landlord responsibilities (social and private)
Social landlords (councils, housing associations) are now legally compelled to follow Awaab’s Law. This means:
- Urgent hazards (Category 1): 24 hours to fix (e.g. gas leak, but also any life-threatening damp/mould situation).
- Significant damp/mould: Inspect within 10 working days of being told about it; then carry out the work within 5 working days after inspection.
- Tenant circumstances: They must consider if the household has vulnerable members (young children, elderly, sick) and may need to offer alternative accommodation if the home can’t be made safe in time.
- Enforcement: Landlords failing these duties can be taken to court, fined, forced to pay compensation, or lose rent if the home is uninhabitable.
These timeframes are exact and legally binding. Landlords must act promptly even if tenants haven’t threatened legal action – dragging feet is no longer an option.
Private (and housing association) landlords will face similar rules. The law is being extended through upcoming legislation (a renters’ rights bill) to cover privately rented homes as well. In fact, new regulations (the Residential Properties (Damp and Mould) Act 2023) already impose duties on all landlords in England and Wales: before a tenancy, they must survey for moisture risk; during a tenancy, they must repair leaks, improve insulation and ventilation, and respond to reported mould within strict deadlines. For example, that Act demands urgent mould remediation within 24 hours and completion of bigger fixes (like installing a ventilation system) within 28 days. Tenants now even have the explicit right to break a lease if their landlord willfully allows “hazardous” damp or mould to persist. These rules are new but underscore a nationwide shift: all landlords, not just social ones, are on notice that damp and mould cannot be ignored.
How tenants can protect themselves
Document everything. If you’re a tenant, especially in social housing, know your rights under Awaab’s Law and take an active role:
- Record problems in writing: Always report damp or mould issues in writing (email or letter). Note the date of each report.
- Take dated photos: Take clear, dated photographs of mould spots, wet walls, peeling paint, etc. These images are powerful evidence of “hazardous” conditions (especially if they spread).
- Keep correspondence: Save copies of all communications – emails or letters – between you and the landlord (or housing officer). This shows exactly when you raised the issue.
- Log symptoms: If family members have health problems that could be related (like asthma attacks), make a note of doctor visits and mention the home conditions.
- Follow up: If the landlord doesn’t respond in the timeframe required by Awaab’s Law, remind them of the deadline. Under the law, they must respond within set times, so politely but firmly hold them to it.
Government guidance even suggests tenants should treat reports of damp and mould as a health issue first. That means don’t just wait for the landlord’s survey: seek medical advice if people in the home are unwell. Doctors are now encouraged to ask about housing when diagnosing kids with lung issues.
The value of professional surveys and planning
Here’s where independent specialists like Nordic Damp Proofing can help both tenants and landlords. A thorough damp survey serves everyone: it provides objective evidence of what’s wrong (e.g. underlying leaks, roof issues, insufficient damp proof course) and what needs to be done. For a tenant, an independent report can prove the seriousness of the problem (backing up any compensation claims or legal action). For a landlord, it guides an efficient fix plan, ensuring they comply with the law and don’t waste time on guesswork.
Nordic’s expert surveyors use moisture meters, humidity sensors and thermal imaging to diagnose damp issues precisely. After our inspection, we produce a clear remediation plan – listing the cause (for example, broken roof tiles or rising damp), proposed treatments (e.g. Damp Proof Course Installation or Basement Waterproofing if needed), and a timeline for works. Both tenant and landlord can then agree on the schedule, making it easier to meet the legal deadlines. In short, professional surveys bring clarity and speed to the process, which is exactly what Awaab’s Law demands.
We also advise on preventive measures: improving ventilation (even suggesting humidity-controlled extractor fans), boosting insulation, and ongoing monitoring. Many landlords now include post-repair checks (like humidity logging) to ensure the solution sticks. Nordic can install or recommend devices, or re-survey the property to confirm it’s damp-free after the work.
Where Nordic fits in
Nordic Damp Proofing is proud to be an independent specialist serving both sides. We work with social housing providers and private landlords to ensure they fulfil their duties quickly and correctly. But we also work directly for tenants and homeowner associations who need evidence or a second opinion.
- For landlords: Hiring an unbiased expert like Nordic helps you demonstrate compliance. Our detailed Damp and Timber Surveys and moisture reports (complete with photos and readings) show regulators that you’ve identified and addressed the issue. We handle all treatments – from Penetrating Damp Treatment to Structural Drying Services – so landlords meet Awaab’s timeframes without the nightmare of contractor management.
- For tenants: Engaging Nordic gives you authoritative documentation. If your landlord disputes the severity, our survey stands on its own. We can also liaise with housing officers to map out an action plan that satisfies the law. And if urgent remediation is needed (for example, a whole-room dehumidifier install or Mould Removal Services), we can often start work within days.
In both cases, Nordic acts quickly, professionally and with full communication. We help ensure that Category-1 damp hazards – legally, mould and damp of any kind – are treated as the emergencies they are. Our team even offers specialised post-remediation checks, so everyone knows the home is safe before reoccupation.
Awaab’s Law has raised the stakes for everyone involved with rental housing. Landlords must now act fast on reports of dangerous damp and mould, and tenants have strong legal backing to demand action. “Reasonable timescales” are no longer ambiguous – they mean action in days, not months. Hazardous damp/mould means anything serious enough to be a Category 1 hazard (i.e. health-endangering). Tenants should document all issues (photos, dates, written reports) and can even seek medical support for related illnesses.
Bringing in a qualified damp-proofing specialist like Nordic benefits both sides. We provide independent surveys and clear repair plans that satisfy legal requirements and protect health. Our expertise speeds up the fixing process – often resolving problems before they escalate – and ensures compliance with the new law. In the end, everyone wins: safer homes and peace of mind for tenants, and landlords fulfilling their legal duties effectively.
