Awaab's Law

In 2020, two year old Awaab Ishak lost his life because of dangerous mould in his home. For years his family asked for help, and for years nothing changed. His death changed everything.

Now the government has introduced Awaab's Law. This legislation makes sure no landlord can ignore serious housing issues again. It sets strict legal deadlines to fix emergency and significant hazards, starting from the moment they are reported.

At Dwelling Doctors, we have always believed that every home should be a safe and healthy place to live. This new law makes that belief a legal requirement, and we are here to help landlords and housing providers meet those standards properly and without delay.

From 27 October 2025, social landlords will be required to act quickly on two types of hazards:

• Emergency hazards such as severe mould, exposed wires or no heating in winter must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
• Significant hazards such as widespread damp, broken windows or failed heating systems must be:
  • Investigated within 10 working days
  • Reported to tenants within 3 working days
  • Repaired and made safe within 5 working days

If repairs cannot be completed in time, landlords must provide suitable alternative accommodation.

The rules are clear, and the timeframes are tight. Awaab's Law demands:

• Round the clock response teams
• Qualified professionals to assess risks
• Detailed reports and evidence to support decisions
• A person centred approach where tenant health and wellbeing come first

Everyday living, such as cooking, washing or drying clothes, is not a breach of tenancy. Homes must be safe for life to happen.

Failure to meet these new requirements could result in:

• Court action, compensation or regulatory penalties
• Paying for emergency accommodation
• Loss of trust with tenants, partners and the public
• Serious damage to organisational reputation

The law is built to protect people. If ignored, the consequences will be costly.

With over 18 years of experience, we help landlords and housing providers tackle damp, mould and ventilation problems properly. We do not fix the surface, we go to the root of the issue. Our team delivers legally compliant investigations and supports you at every stage.

Our services include:

• 24/7 emergency callouts
• Awaab's Law compliant inspections and reports
• Support with alternative accommodation
• Tenant focused communication and advice
• Preventative strategies to stop future hazards

We work with housing associations, local authorities and private landlords, helping you meet your legal duties while protecting tenants' health, dignity and safety.

Awaab's Council brings together housing leaders, policy makers and practitioners to share knowledge, create discussion and develop real world solutions.

As industry leaders in compliance, we are proud to play a leading role in this initiative, working to raise standards and ensure no family is ever put at risk from mould again.

If your systems are not ready, we can help you get there. Together, we can make sure no one is left living in unsafe conditions again.