Preparing for Awaab's Law: why proactive property management matters

The regulatory landscape for landlords continues to evolve, with increasing emphasis on maintaining safe, healthy homes and responding quickly to maintenance concerns.

While Awaab's Law currently applies to social housing, the Government has confirmed that equivalent measures will be introduced for the private rented sector through the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Although an implementation date has yet to be announced, the direction of travel is clear.

For private landlords, this presents an opportunity to review existing property management practices, strengthen maintenance processes and ensure they're well prepared for future legislative change.

Understanding Awaab's Law

Awaab's Law was introduced under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, whose death was linked to prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his home.

The legislation requires social landlords to investigate and resolve serious housing hazards, including damp and mould, within defined statutory timescales.

Since 27 October 2025, these duties have applied to reports of serious damp, mould and emergency hazards in social housing.

The legislation is being introduced in stages. From 30 November 2026, the scope will widen to include additional hazards identified under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), including excess heat and cold, electrical and fire risks, structural collapse and specified fall hazards.

What does this mean for private landlords?

At present, the legislation applies only to social landlords. However, the Government has confirmed its intention to introduce comparable requirements for the private rented sector through secondary legislation under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

While the exact timetable is still to be confirmed, landlords should view these developments as an indication of the standards expected across the wider rental market in the future.

Existing legal obligations remain unchanged. Private landlords must continue to ensure their properties are fit for human habitation and investigate hazards such as damp and mould without unnecessary delay.

Rather than waiting for new legislation to come into force, adopting robust maintenance procedures now can help landlords demonstrate good practice, reduce potential risks and prepare with confidence for future regulatory requirements.

Four practical steps landlords can take now

Make the most of the summer months

Summer provides an ideal opportunity to carry out comprehensive property inspections. Drier weather makes it easier to identify issues such as damaged roofing, blocked gutters, defective pointing or early signs of water ingress before colder, wetter conditions arrive.

Addressing maintenance concerns during the summer can help reduce the likelihood of damp and mould developing later in the year, while ensuring your property remains in good condition.

Act quickly when issues are reported

Encourage tenants to report maintenance concerns as soon as they arise and investigate the root cause rather than simply treating visible signs of damp or mould. Early intervention is often the most effective way to prevent more significant problems developing.

Keep thorough maintenance records

Maintaining detailed records of inspections, reported issues, contractor visits and completed repairs provides a clear history of how a property has been managed. Good record keeping supports a proactive approach and can prove invaluable should questions arise in the future.

Prioritise preventative maintenance

Regular checks of ventilation, heating systems, insulation, roofs and rainwater goods can significantly reduce the likelihood of damp and mould developing. Preventative maintenance not only protects your property but also contributes to a healthier living environment for tenants.

How our Fully Managed service can help

Preventing damp and mould begins with understanding the conditions that allow them to develop.

As part of our Fully Managed service, landlords have access to our Mould Protection Device, designed to support a proactive approach to property management.

Installed discreetly within the home, the wireless device records temperature and humidity levels every 30 minutes. By monitoring environmental conditions over time, it can help identify circumstances that may increase the risk of damp and mould, allowing potential issues to be investigated before they become more serious.

The system also builds a historical record of environmental data, providing valuable insight into how a property performs over time and supporting informed maintenance decisions.

To find out more about our managed services and the Mould Protection Device, speak to your local branch today.

All legislative information in this article is based on the guidance published by the UK Government at the time of this blog's publication.