What Awaab’s Law Introduces
Awaab’s Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social home, was introduced to ensure that such failings are never repeated. The law came into force in England on 27 October 2025 and introduces strict, legally binding timeframes for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould.
Under the new regulations:
- When a social landlord becomes aware of a potential hazard, day zero begins. For a significant hazard (such as serious damp or mould), the landlord must investigate within 10 working days.
- If the hazard is confirmed as significant, the landlord must provide a written summary to the tenant within 3 working days of concluding the investigation.
- The required safety work must then be completed within 5 working days of the investigation concluding (for significant hazards), or within 24 hours for emergency hazards.
- The categories of hazards covered will initially include serious cases of damp and mould, with the scope widening in 2026 and 2027 to cover other hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
These changes impose much stricter duties on social landlords in England, making their response to damp, mould, and other health hazards both mandatory and time-bound, rather than discretionary.
Relevance to Northern Ireland – What This Means and What It Doesn’t
Importantly, Awaab’s Law does not apply in Northern Ireland. The regulations apply only to the social rented sector in England.
In Northern Ireland, landlords remain subject to existing duties such as the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 which defines the fitness for human habitation, and related regulations. However, there are no equivalent statutory timeframes compelling immediate action for damp and mould.
While the English framework does not extend to Northern Ireland, it serves as an important benchmark for what is now considered reasonable landlord conduct elsewhere. Tenants and legal practitioners in Northern Ireland can refer to these standards when arguing for timely and adequate responses to disrepair issues, but any claims will still rely on existing local housing and law.
If You Are Experiencing Damp or Mould in Social Housing
If you live in social rented accommodation in Northern Ireland and are experiencing issues with damp and mould, please complete our online enquiry form to find out whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Although Awaab’s Law does not currently apply in Northern Ireland, our firm has extensive experience handling housing disrepair, damp and mould claims and can advise you on your rights, the evidence required, and the best route to securing fair compensation for the harm and inconvenience caused.
