What is Awaab's Law?

Awaab’s Law came into force on 27 October 2025. This landmark legislation sets mandatory, strict deadlines for social landlords to address severe health and safety hazards, particularly damp and mould.

For Polygon, this new regulation underscores the critical importance of rapid response in moisture control and remediation.

What Awaab's Law Requires

Landlords must take emergency action within 24 hours of becoming aware of the issue if they have reasonable grounds to believe an emergency hazard exists.

The law mandates specific timeframes for investigation, providing a written report to the tenant, and executing the necessary remedial action plan.

The regulations apply to all social housing tenancies in England, regardless of when the agreement began. They initially focus on damp and mould, with plans to extend to further housing hazards from 2026.

Why This Legislation Matters

Awaab’s Law significantly strengthens tenant rights and accountability. It provides tenants with legal grounds to compel landlords to act promptly. If a landlord fails to meet the statutory deadlines, the tenant has a stronger basis for legal action for repairs and compensation.

The law amends the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to cover any hazard posing a significant health and safety risk to the tenant, broadening the scope beyond previous local authority duties.

Landlord Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Social landlords must immediately adapt their operational framework:

• Policy and Procedures: Ensure new policies are in place to manage the 24-hour emergency response requirement effectively.

• Proactive Mindset: Training is key. Landlords must shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to hazard identification and swift remediation.

The government plans to extend similar rules to private landlords under the Renters' Rights Bill (expected 2026–2027). All landlords should be aware that rapid response to hazards like damp and mould is becoming a universal legal standard.