What Is Awaab’s Law?
From 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law (officially the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025) comes into effect, transforming how social landlords must respond to health and safety hazards in tenants’ homes.
Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically passed away due to respiratory illness linked to severe mould exposure, this law compels landlords to take rapid action against damp, mould, and other serious hazards.
Under the new law, social landlords must:
Investigate hazards within 10 working days of receiving a complaint.
Provide written findings to the tenant within 3 working days of completing the investigation.
Begin repairs or remedial works within 5 working days.
If works cannot begin immediately, ensure the physical start of repairs within 12 weeks.
Respond to emergencies within 24 hours and, where necessary, provide temporary accommodation.
Failure to meet these timelines becomes a breach of tenancy and may result in legal and regulatory action.
While initially focused on damp and mould, future phases (2026–2027) are expected to cover additional hazards including excess cold, fire safety, and electrical risks.
Why Awaab’s Law Matters to Retrofit and Low Carbon Professionals
This legislation has wide-reaching implications for the retrofit, construction and energy efficiency sectors. Here’s why:
1. Ventilation and Moisture Control Are No Longer Optional
Energy efficiency improvements often focus on insulation and airtightness but without balanced ventilation, the risk of condensation and mould skyrockets. Awaab’s Law highlights the need for ventilation to be designed and maintained properly in every retrofit project.
2. The Skills Gap Is Growing
To comply with Awaab’s Law, landlords and contractors will need professionals who understand:
Damp diagnosis and moisture management
Ventilation system design
Health and housing risk assessments
Retrofit coordination and quality assurance
Training in these areas is critical to meet legal obligations and protect tenants’ health.
3. Quality Assurance and Compliance Will Be Under the Microscope
Retrofit work will face closer scrutiny. Every decision, from material selection to moisture modelling, must be backed by evidence and professional judgement. Our training helps professionals build confidence and competence in line with PAS 2035, HHSRS, and other compliance frameworks.
4. Retrofit Isn’t Just About Carbon – It’s About Health
Awaab’s Law reinforces that low carbon homes must also be healthy homes. Energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing go hand-in-hand. Retrofit professionals must integrate these priorities to create safe, sustainable housing that improves lives.
Preparing for Compliance – Key Takeaways
- Awaab’s Law comes into force 27 October 2025.
- Damp and mould must be investigated within 10 days and repaired swiftly.
- Retrofit design must prioritise ventilation and moisture control.
- Training is essential to bridge the skills gap and meet compliance demands.
If you’re working in retrofit, energy efficiency or social housing, now is the time to act.
👉 Explore our Retrofit and Energy Efficiency training courses to ensure your team is compliant, competent and ready for change.
📞 Contact us today to find out how we can help your organisation prepare for Awaab’s Law and future housing standards.
