Awaab’s Law Guidance – Damp and Mould

With Awaab’s Law coming into effect later this month, the UK Government has announced it will publish finalised guidance ahead of the implementation of the Law. The Law is a landmark piece of legislation that aims to prevent further hazard-related tragedies from occurring.

What is Awaab’s Law?

In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by ‘extensive’ mould in his home. In July 2023, the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 received Royal Assent, introducing Awaab’s Law. The Law forces social landlords to investigate and fix hazards, such as damp and mould, in set time periods to prevent future hazard related tragedies from occurring.

When does it come into effect and what are the set time periods?

Awaab’s Law will come into effect from 27th October 2025. Social landlords must undertake relevant safety work within 24 hours of becoming aware of the emergency hazard, investigate any potential significant hazards within 10 working days of becoming aware of them, produce a written summary and provide it to the tenant within 3 working days, and undertake relevant safety work within 5 working days of the investigation concluding, if the investigation identifies a significant hazard.

What should you do if you have damp and mould on your premises?

A proactive approach to reduce the risk of damp and mould is essential, as they can cause health problems and structural damage if left unaddressed. By undertaking a survey to detect the extent to which premises may be subject to damp and mould, issues can be identified early, reducing the cost of rectification and mitigating the risk of legal consequences.

If you’re concerned about damp and mould in your projects or properties, get in touch with our expert Building Surveyors for a consultation.