Awaab’s Law is a new regulation designed to protect social housing tenants from serious health hazards such as damp and mould.
The law is named in memory of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who sadly died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
The law introduces strict time frames for landlords to investigate and resolve hazards. It applies only to social housing landlords, not private landlords.
If you are a social housing tenant, you should check your landlord’s website or tenancy handbook for information on how to report repairs and hazards. The law requires landlords to:
- Investigate hazards within ten working days.
- Provide written findings within three working days of the investigation.
- Take action to make homes safe within five working days – or within 24 hours in emergencies.
- Begin further required works within five working days if a significant hazard is found. Once a hazard has been made safe, follow-on works must be carried out within a reasonable time.
Stroud District Council (SDC) is a social landlord with approximately 5,000 homes across the district. The council’s housing service has been preparing for the introduction of Awaab’s Law and is confident it will be fully compliant with the new law.
To strengthen its approach, SDC has expanded its team – recruiting experienced surveyors, a multi-trade operative, and additional administrative staff and invested in new software.
Cllr Gary Luff, Chair of Stroud District Council’s Housing Committee, said:
“Social landlords across Gloucestershire should be ready to meet the requirements of Awaab’s Law, and tenants should be aware of their rights under this important legislation.
“With regard to our own housing stock, we are ready for the introduction of Awaab’s Law and have taken proactive steps to ensure our housing service meets the new legal standards.
“Good quality housing plays a vital role in ensuring people’s lives are lived well, and our Council Plan commits us to providing good quality, safe and fit-for-purpose council homes, ensuring tenants can live well.
“We are proud of the work our teams have done to prepare and will continue to put tenant safety and wellbeing at the heart of our housing service.”
SDC is also investing in the long-term quality and sustainability of its housing stock. Earlier this year, the council secured £5.2 million in government funding to improve the energy efficiency of its least efficient homes. The aim is to ensure all council homes achieve an average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2030, helping to reduce fuel poverty, cut carbon emissions, and improve health outcomes.
While Awaab’s Law applies only to social housing tenancies, the council is committed to supporting residents living in privately owned and rented accommodation to live in safe, sustainable and good quality homes.
If you rent privately and are concerned about damp, mould or other hazards, you can find advice and support on the council’s website: Housing repairs and maintenance
Stroud District Council tenants can report repairs, including damp and mould by emailing dmenquiries@stroud.gov.uk or by phoning 01453 766321.
