What is Awaab's Law and what does it mean for landlords?

In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died in Rochdale as a direct result of prolonged exposure to mould in his family's social housing property. The subsequent inquest and media attention prompted the government to act, and in 2023, Awaab's Law was written into the Social Housing (Regulation) Act.

For landlords and property managers across Yorkshire and the rest of England, this legislation has real and immediate implications. Here's what you need to know.

What is Awaab's Law? Awaab's Law is a set of legal requirements that place strict timelines on social housing landlords when dealing with damp and mould complaints. It came into force in stages from 2025 and applies to all registered social housing providers in England. Under the law, landlords are required to:

• Acknowledge a damp or mould complaint within a set timeframe

• Carry out a full investigation within 14 days of the complaint being made

• Begin repair work within 7 days where an emergency hazard is identified

• Complete all repair and remediation work within 49 days

• Keep residents informed throughout the process

Does it apply to private landlords? Awaab's Law currently applies specifically to registered social housing providers, housing associations and local councils. However, private landlords already have obligations under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which can be used by local authorities to enforce action on damp and mould.

Many housing professionals expect the core principles of Awaab's Law to be extended to the private rented sector in the coming years. Getting ahead of this now is a sensible move and one that landlords would be well advised to stay the right side of. Why does mould remediation matter beyond compliance? Beyond the legal requirements, mould and damp cause real harm. Health risks associated with prolonged mould exposure include respiratory problems, asthma, allergic reactions and in serious cases, severe illness.

Aside from the human cost, damp and mould can cause significant and expensive structural damage to a property if left untreated. Landlords and property managers who act quickly not only protect their tenants, they protect their investment. What does compliant mould remediation look like? Simply painting over mould or applying a basic anti-mould product is no longer sufficient.

Compliant remediation means identifying and treating the root cause, whether that's condensation, penetrating damp, or a structural issue, and carrying out proper treatment to remove the mould and prevent it returning.

A professional mould remediation service should include:

• A thorough damp and mould assessment to identify the source

• Removal of existing mould growth using appropriate treatments

• Repair of any underlying issues contributing to the damp

• Protective treatment of affected surfaces

• Documentation of works carried out, important for compliance records

How EHG Property can help. We are damp and mould remediation specialists serving York, Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate and across Yorkshire. We work with housing associations, property managers, letting agents and landlords to assess, treat and remove mould, helping clients meet their legal obligations and protect their properties while doing our bit to protect the health of tenants. We provide full documentation of all works carried out, giving you the paper trail you need to demonstrate compliance. Contact us for a free consultation: 01937 326007 or contact@ehgproperty.co.uk.