Awaab’s Law and the Private Sector: What Private Landlords Need to Know in 2026
Awaab’s Law currently applies to social housing, protecting tenants who report mould and damp to their landlord. This law is expected to come into force for private landlords, following the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
As of October 2025, Awaab’s Law was first introduced for social landlords under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and enforced through the Hazards in Social Housing Regulations 2025. Awaab’s Law addresses mould and damp as serious hazards in housing, warranting immediate investigation and remediation from social landlords.
Although this law hasn’t been extended to private landlords yet, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 provides the legal framework to do so. Despite this, private landlords must prepare for incoming changes, ensuring their homes are well-ventilated and damp-free.
What Is Awaab’s Law?
Awaab’s Law was created and later enforced following the death of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old-boy who died due to prolonged mould exposure. His family’s social housing flat was infested with black mould and had been reported several times but never remedied.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 created the law with the intention of protecting social housing tenants when they discover a serious hazard in their home, like damp and mould.
Social housing landlords must take immediate action to remedy any hazards that are reported, and there are specific timeframes to follow depending on the severity of the hazard:
- For emergency hazards, a landlord needs to investigate within 24 hours, provide a written report and take actions within 3 working days, and offer alternative accommodation if the property is unsafe.
- For significant hazards, a landlord must investigate within 10 working days, create a written summary within 3 working days, and take action within 5 days, or set a deadline for 12 weeks.
Does Awaab’s Law Apply to Private Landlords?
Currently, Awaab’s Law doesn’t apply to private landlords, only to the social housing sector. However, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has set out a timeline for phases which directly mention this law and when it’s expected to be implemented.
Currently, the Renters’ Rights Act is in its first phase, with the second phase coming through late 2026, and Phase 3, which has deadlines for 2030 and 2035. The official timeline states that Phase 3 will focus on raising standards that include Awaab’s Law, setting clear timeframes similar to those of social housing landlords.
Although the specific date of implementation is to be announced, it’s recommended that landlords in the private sector prepare for these changes.
What This Will Mean for Private Landlords
Similarly to standards for social housing, Awaab’s Law will expect private landlords to react to a report regarding a hazard in a tenant’s home within a certain timeframe. These timeframes will vary depending on the extent of the emergency and the hazard itself, which, aside from mould and damp, include:
- Gas or carbon monoxide leaks
- Broken windows or doors
- Major structural issues
- Electrical hazards
- Low or no water supply
- Broken boilers
Damp and mould hazards are viewed as serious, often warranting an emergency investigation, meaning that private landlords will be expected to act fast when it’s reported.
Any investigations and reports will need to come from PCA-accredited contractors, especially where tight deadlines are concerned. By failing to act, landlords could be at risk of being fined or facing legal consequences.
Why Landlords Should Act Now, Not Later
Private landlords should start by ensuring their properties are well-equipped to prevent mould, damp, and rot to avoid potential legal ramifications and fines. By carrying out damp surveys and taking steps to prevent it, landlords can spot early signs and remedy them immediately.
This will save landlords the potential costs later down the road if their property is found to have significant damp or mould issues. By taking preventative measures now, their homes will be less susceptible to hazards, keeping tenants safe.
How Kenwood Can Help
Kenwood PLC is a PCA-registered specialist damp and timber treatment contractor with over 40 years of experience, able to provide damp surveys, PCA-accredited reports, and remediation that landlords need.
Our surveyors can be on a property the next day, conducting a damp survey and offering a fast turnaround on reporting. We have the experience required to treat damp and timber-related issues, treating thousands of homes every year.
Book a next-day survey today, or get in touch with our team now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Awaab’s Law apply to private landlords?
Currently, no. Awaab’s Law only applies to social housing landlords, but it’s expected to be enforced during Phase 3 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 timeline.
When will Awaab’s Law apply to the private rented sector?
There is no confirmed date for when Awaab’s Law will apply to private landlords, but the published timeline of the Renters’ Rights Act states that it will occur during Phase 3.
What hazards does Awaab’s Law cover?
According to official government documentation, Awaab’s Law covers significant and emergency hazards, including:
- Carbon monoxide or gas leaks.
- No water supply
- Broken boilers
- Major leaks
- Dangerous electrical hazards
- Broken windows or doors
- Serious damp or mould
- Major structural problems
What should private landlords do to prepare?
To prepare for Awaab’s Law, private landlords should have their homes assessed for potential damp and mould risks. They can do this by having a PCA-accredited contractor visit the property to carry out a damp survey, addressing any hazards that have been listed, and remedying them immediately.
Who can carry out an Awaab’s Law compliance inspection?
A compliance inspection should be conducted by qualified housing surveyors or specialist contractors familiar with damp and mould issues. Our PCA-accredited surveyors are qualified in finding damp and timber-related issues in properties.
