The law is named after Awaab Ishak, the two-year-old who tragically died in 2020 following prolonged exposure to mould in his family home. His story has become a rallying point for change across the sector, and the legislation now represents a defining moment for social housing.
For housing providers, the arrival of Awaab’s Law introduces firm legal duties and places fresh demands on teams already working hard under resource pressures. Yet it also creates an opportunity: to reset the way damp and mould is managed; to adopt proactive practices; and to build greater trust with residents. By taking a preventative approach and making use of proven technologies, landlords can not only comply with the new law but also strengthen the quality of homes for the long term.
The legislation is clear in its expectations. When a Significant Hazard such as damp and mould is reported landlords must begin investigating within 10 working days. Where works are needed, these must start within a further 5 working days and be completed as soon as practicably possible, within 12 weeks. In situations where a hazard is categorised as an emergency and poses an immediate threat to life or health, emergency make safe action must be taken within 24 hours.
These timescales underline the seriousness of damp and mould as health hazards. For residents, they provide reassurance that problems cannot be ignored or delayed. For landlords, they provide a framework for action and a way to demonstrate accountability.
Awaab’s Law is not just about procedures, but about people. Residents will benefit from clearer communication and greater transparency as hazards are investigated and
addressed. They will also have a stronger sense of empowerment, knowing that if concerns are not acted upon promptly, there are clear routes to escalate them.
This shift in emphasis presents an opportunity for landlords to strengthen relationships with tenants. By responding quickly, explaining actions clearly, and supporting residents in preventing condensation where possible, providers can move from a transactional model of maintenance towards a more collaborative one. Ultimately, this is about trust: ensuring every resident feels confident that their home is safe, and that their voice is heard.
For housing providers, the new law undoubtedly introduces additional responsibilities. Meeting the deadlines will require good systems, reliable communication, and well-trained teams. But many providers are already making strides in this direction, and Awaab’s Law provides a framework to bring those good practices together.
By embedding early identification of hazards into routine inspections, landlords can get ahead of issues before they escalate. By adopting consistent processes for investigating reports, providers can avoid delays and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. And by capturing data more effectively, housing organisations can gain a clearer picture of which homes are most at risk and target resources where they will have the greatest impact.
These are not just compliance measures. They represent opportunities to improve stock condition, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and create healthier, more comfortable homes.
While prompt repair is essential, the law also highlights the importance of prevention. Much of the damp and mould in social housing stems from condensation, which in turn is often linked to inadequate ventilation. Short-term fixes such as treating surface mould may provide relief, but they do not address the underlying problem.
This is where investment in effective ventilation becomes so valuable. Whether through positive input ventilation (PIV) systems such as our Drimaster-Eco, continuous extract
fans, or whole-home solutions such as MVHR, the right technology can make a measurable difference to air quality. By ensuring homes are well ventilated, landlords can significantly reduce the risk of condensation and, with it, the recurring cycle of damp and mould.
Alongside technology, resident engagement plays a vital role. Helping tenants understand how to use ventilation systems correctly, and explaining the part they can play in managing moisture, ensures solutions are used to their full effect. Together, these steps create conditions where damp and mould are far less likely to take hold.
The spirit of Awaab’s Law is about creating a safer and healthier standard of housing. While the deadlines and duties are fixed, how providers meet them will vary. What is clear is that success will come from a collaborative approach—where landlords, residents, and industry partners work together to put prevention at the heart of housing management.
For housing providers, this is a chance to demonstrate leadership. By adopting proactive strategies, investing in proven solutions, and embedding new ways of working, landlords can show they are not only meeting the letter of the law but also the spirit behind it. For residents, it means greater peace of mind and better quality of life. And for the sector as a whole, it represents an opportunity to turn a difficult moment in history into a catalyst for long-term improvement.
Whilst the focus for many providers will naturally be on ensuring compliance with the law, beyond the immediate adjustments lies a bigger opportunity: to embed a culture where safe, healthy homes are the norm, and where damp and mould are treated not as inevitable, but as preventable.
Preventing another tragedy like Awaab Ishak’s is a responsibility shared across the sector. By investing in the right systems, training, and technologies, and by supporting residents with clear communication and guidance, housing providers can not only meet the requirements of the law but exceed them.
Awaab’s Law reminds us that homes are more than buildings—they are places where health and wellbeing begin. For landlords, the challenge now is to turn compliance into confidence, responsibility into reassurance, and regulation into real, lasting change.
Nuaire has been providing ventilation solution in social housing for over 50 years.
