Social landlords across England are bracing for a massive maintenance and building upgrade drive as new laws come into force forcing emergency repairs to be completed within strict deadlines.

The first phase of Awaab’s Law – named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 from exposure to black mould in his Rochdale flat – officially comes into force today. This tightens the legal screws on housing associations and councils to fix dangerous homes fast.

Under the new rules, landlords must now repair life-threatening hazards within 24 hours of being reported and investigate serious damp and mould within 10 working days. Homes must then be made safe within five days, with written confirmation sent to tenants within three working days.

The changes mark a watershed moment for the sector. The new law is expected to trigger a huge increase in demand for surveyors, maintenance teams, and specialist remediation contractors as landlords scramble to stay compliant.

More of Awaab’s Law will be phased in over the next two years to make homes safer.

Phase two to come into force next year will expand tenant protections to cover more hazards like excess cold and heat, fire and electrical risks and hygiene hazards. Phase 3 in 2027 will extend it to all remaining hazards covered by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, except overcrowding.

Any failure to act could land landlords in court, facing enforcement orders, compensation claims, and loss of rent if properties are deemed uninhabitable.

Awaab’s Law applies to all four million social rented homes in England, covering both local authority and housing association stock.

As part of the wider clampdown on the condition of rental homes separate regulations ensuring all landlords meet robust standards of electrical safety will also come into force on 1 November 2025 for new tenancies and then in 2026 for all existing tenancies.