From Monday 27 October 2025, powerful new legal protections – known as Awaab’s Law – came into force to make homes safer and healthier for millions of social housing residents. This is a landmark moment shaped by the tireless efforts of Awaab Ishak’s family, whose legacy will protect others for generations to come.
At English Rural, we welcome these changes wholeheartedly. They strengthen residents’ rights, support our values, and set clear, swift timeframes for action when hazards are reported. Most importantly, they help make sure you and your family can live safely and comfortably in your home.
Under Awaab’s Law, social landlords must:
Respond to emergency hazards (those posing an imminent and significant risk to health or safety) and make them safe within 24 hours of the landlord becoming aware of them.
Investigate significant damp and mould within 10 working days of being notified.
Make your home safe within five working days after that investigation and carry out remedial works as soon as practicable.
Write to you within three working days of any inspection to explain what we found and what will happen next.
Consider personal circumstances such as young children, disabilities or health conditions when planning our response.
Offer suitable temporary accommodation if your home can’t be made safe within the required timeframes.
These are clear, enforceable standards. If a landlord fails to comply, tenants can take legal action; courts can issue enforcement orders, award compensation and costs, and withhold rent for homes deemed uninhabitable. The message is simple: your safety comes first.
Certainty and speed: You’ll know exactly what will happen and when.
Health first: Damp and mould aren’t “cosmetic” – they’re a health risk. The law recognises that and requires decisive action.
Stronger voice: Landlords must communicate in writing after inspections, so you’re kept in the loop and can hold us to account.
Fairness and flexibility: Your family’s circumstances matter. We must tailor our response to what you need.
Backed by accountability: If standards slip, there are real consequences. That drives better service for everyone.
Awaab’s Law doesn’t just protect residents; it helps good landlords do even better:
Clear timeframes = better planning: Defined deadlines help us mobilise teams quickly and reduce delay.
Consistent standards: Everyone works to the same playbook, improving quality and reducing disputes.
Focus on prevention: Faster action prevents issues from escalating, saving time and cost in the long run.
Better relationships: Transparent communication builds trust between residents and landlords.
Support to engage residents: A new £1m Social Housing Innovation Fund will back better tools and approaches for resident engagement – everything from digital platforms to specialist outreach.
In short: this law rewards proactive, resident-centred housing management. That’s exactly how we want to work.
We’ve been preparing for these changes and have strengthened our procedures so we can meet – and aim to exceed – the new standards.
When you report a problem:
We triage immediately. If it’s an emergency hazard, we’ll treat it as a 24-hour fix.
If it’s significant damp or mould, we will schedule an inspection and investigate within 10 working days.
You’ll receive written findings within three working days of the inspection, setting out what we found and what we’ll do.
We’ll make your home safe within five working days after the investigation, and keep you updated on any follow-on works.
We’ll consider your circumstances (for example, young children, respiratory conditions or mobility needs) and offer temporary accommodation if we cannot make your home safe within the required timeframe.
We’re also investing in training, diagnostics, and preventative maintenance so we can spot issues earlier and resolve them faster.
Please contact us via your usual channel:
Phone: 0800 121 4422 or 020 7820 7930
Email: contact us at info@englishrural.org.uk
Online: report through our resident portal (if you’re registered) or here on our website
If you’re unsure which to use, choose the quickest option for you. For emergencies, call us so we can act within the 24-hour window.
When you get in touch, it helps if you can share:
What you’ve noticed (e.g. patches of mould, condensation, leaks, cold rooms, electrical concerns).
Where it is, and how long it’s been there.
Any impact on your health or daily life.
Photos or short videos if you can.
We’ll take it from there and keep you updated in writing.
Awaab’s Law is about putting residents first. It brings the certainty, urgency and accountability that people deserve – and it supports housing associations like English Rural to deliver the best for our communities.
If you’re worried about damp, mould, or any safety hazard, please get in touch today. We’ll act quickly, keep you informed, and work with you until your home is safe, warm and healthy.
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