Awaab’s Law – Addressing Damp And Mould Issues In Rented Homes – New Rules And Old Tips

10^th October is simultaneously World Homelessness Day and World Mental Health Day. Inadvertently, poor or insecure housing and ill health are inextricably linked in other ways too; particularly when it comes to repairs and maintenance around mould and damp issues.

Local Citizens Advice offices regularly support clients dealing with damp and/or mould in their properties. Where those properties are rented, there is always a dialogue between tenant and landlord around who is responsible; and it is not always productive.

Following the high-profile death of a child in 2020, attributed to mould and damp, and the lack of a sufficient landlord response in the case, the government were moved to pass Awaab’s Law (named after the child) to place more responsibilities on landlords to keep their properties safe and in good condition.

The first part of that law will take effect from 27^th October 2025. Below are the key legal requirements for landlords:

● Investigation within 10 working days: If a landlord becomes aware of a potential health hazard, they must investigate within 10 working days to determine if there is a health risk to tenants.

● Communication of findings: Landlords must provide tenants with a written summary of the investigation results within 3 working days of completing it.

● Urgent repairs within 5 working days: If a significant hazard is identified, landlords must make the property safe using temporary measures within 5 working days and complete full repairs promptly.

● Emergency hazards within 24 hours: For emergency hazards, landlords must respond and start action within 24 hours.

● Alternative accommodation: If repairs can’t be completed quickly enough, landlords must offer suitable alternative accommodation at their expense until the home is safe.

The first phase covers damp, mould, and emergency hazards, and comes into effect now. Subsequent phases, expanding to other hazards, will roll out through 2026 and 2027.

If you feel your landlord is not responding to your concerns on mould and damp in your property, call your local Citizens Advice office on 0808 250 5715 or drop in to see them. You can find your nearest local office by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/.

Before contacting your landlord to complain about damp and mould in your property, it might be worth exploring what kind of damp you have - for example, rising damp, penetrating damp, construction damp or condensation damp - and seeing what, if anything you can do about it.

If you want to find out more about what sort of mould and damp you have, what’s causing it, and how to deal with it in the practical sense, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/whos-responsible-for-repairs/repairs-damp/.

Damp and mould are usually the responsibility of the landlord to address and resolve but many tenants fear that if they complain they may be evicted; especially if they live in private rented accommodation. Be aware of this threat but don't be put off from reporting poor repairs and maintenance in your home. You now have the weight of the law behind you.

If you want to know more about who is responsible for other repairs and maintenance in your rented property go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-and-housing/repairs-and-housing-conditions/#h-who-s-responsible-for-repairs for more advice and guidance.

By Ed Hodson

Citizens Advice South Warwickshire - Citizens Advice working in partnership across Warwickshire