Awaab's Law: Important changes for landlords in 2025

Key dates:

• October 2025: Damp and mould regulations begin
• 2026: Extended to include additional hazards
• 2027: Full implementation across all safety areas

The government has just last week revealed when Awaab’s Law will come into force, and while it’s starting with social housing, it’s something all landlords should have on their radar. These new rules will set strict timelines for dealing with property maintenance issues – and we think it’s going to shape the future of property management across the board…

What is Awaab’s Law? 

In 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak tragically died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s rented home. This heartbreaking case led to the creation of Awaab’s Law, which puts strict rules in place about how quickly landlords must respond to and fix dangerous conditions in their properties.

The law sets specific timeframes for landlords to investigate and repair issues that could harm tenants’ health – things like damp, mould, and other safety hazards. While right now these rules are being introduced for social housing, they’re likely to become the gold standard for all rental properties. 

How will the law be introduced? 

Rather than bringing in all the changes at once, the government is rolling them out in stages. Here’s what’s happening and when:

October 2025 – Dealing with damp and mould 

The law starts with the biggest concern – damp and mould in properties. Landlords will need to:

• Fix damp and mould problems quickly when they could harm tenants’ health
• Deal with emergency repairs within 24 hours
• Keep clear records of all maintenance work and when it was done

2026 – Adding more safety checks 

The next stage brings in rules about other important safety issues:

• Making sure homes aren’t too hot or too cold
• Fixing things that could cause falls (like broken stairs or loose railings)
• Checking the building is structurally sound
• Making sure fire and electrical safety is up to standard
• Keeping properties clean and hygienic

2027 – The final stage 

By 2027, the law will cover every aspect of property safety, with clear rules about:

• All types of property hazards
• Regular safety checks
• What happens if rules aren’t followed

Why should private landlords care? 

Even though these rules are starting with social housing, they’ll likely become the standard for all rental properties eventually. Getting ahead of these changes now makes good business sense – it’s always better (and usually cheaper) to fix small problems before they become big ones.

Plus, tenants are becoming more aware of their rights when it comes to property maintenance. Having good maintenance systems in place helps protect your investment and keeps your tenants happy.