Awaab’s Law: New Landmark Legislation to Hold Social Landlords Accountable

Starting this October, social landlords in the UK will be legally required to investigate and fix dangerous damp and mould within set timeframes, and repair emergency hazards within 24 hours. These changes mark a major milestone in the government’s mission to improve the safety and quality of social housing—and they come in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, whose tragic death was caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home.

A Landmark Step Toward Safer Housing

For the first time, landlords who fail to meet strict repair deadlines could face legal action. Under Awaab’s Law, social tenants will be empowered to take their landlords to court if their concerns are ignored. This is a powerful shift that puts tenant wellbeing at the heart of housing policy.

The legislation is part of the wider Plan for Change, which aims to deliver the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation, including the construction of 1.5 million new homes.

How Procurement Services Can Support Housing Safety

At Procurement Services, we are committed to supporting public sector organisations in creating safer, healthier living environments.

Our Grounds Maintenance and Associated Services Framework is a national, cost-effective solution tailored for public sector establishments. It includes:

• Soft landscaping, using both traditional and sustainable treatment methods
• Hard landscaping for structural improvements
• Flexible, user-friendly contracting for local authorities, housing providers, and other public sectors

While damp and mould begin inside, poor external maintenance often contributes to indoor hazards. Our framework can help mitigate risks before they escalate—supporting prevention, not just repair.

Click here to learn more about how our services can help your organisation meet housing safety goals

Reference: awaabs-law-to-force-landlords-to-fix-dangerous-homes