Can Landlords Afford Not to Take Awaab’s Law Seriously?

Awaab’s Law is one of the most significant legislative changes in the rental sector for many years, particularly when considering social housing. It has been introduced in the first instance to bring tighter controls in how landlords deal with damp and mould issues, and the scope of the regulations will be widened in the coming months and years. It is common for new legislation to be met with opposition and a sense of apathy, but in the case of Awaab’s Law, landlords in the social housing sector have to be active regarding its requirements now, and already need to have plans and processes in place for how they will address it.

The new Awaab’s Law legislation was enforced from October 2025, and imposes strict timeframes in which landlords have to identify, respond to and resolve hazards relating to damp and mould in their rental properties. Landlords face significant legal penalties if they don’t comply with the legislation, and also face considerable costs if they are slow to react and a damp and mould problem gets worse. So, in short, no, landlords cannot afford not to take Awaab’s Law seriously.

Strict timeframes for action

Landlords in the social housing sector now face strict timeframes in which they must act when an issue relating to damp and mould is reported to them. To remain compliant they may have to act immediately.

– Emergency hazards – A significant damp and mould issue needs to be resolved within 24 hours of it being reported.

– Non-emergency hazards – Landlords are required to investigate other damp and mould hazards within 10 working days, and must provide a formal written summary of their findings within a further three working days.

– Repairs – Where repairs are required to protect the health and safety of a tenant, this must be carried out within five working days of the investigation.

– Alternative accommodation – If the landlord cannot resolve an issue within these timeframes outlined above, they must provide the tenant with alternative, and suitable, accommodation until their property is safe to return to.

These timeframes insist that the landlord is prepared, has processes ready and understands how they need to react when a damp and mould problem is reported to them.

Costs to comply with the regulations

Not taking the regulations seriously could carry significant costs for the landlord:

– Financial penalties – Non-compliance with Awaab’s Law could carry a fine, which ranges from £7,000 for initial breaches, up to a maximum of £40,000 for repeated breaches.

– Compensation – Tenants can pursue legal action against the landlord for a housing disrepair issue that isn’t resolved, as the landlord is in breach of the tenancy agreement. The landlord may have to cover any costs the tenant has incurred in dealing with the disrepair, and costs to cover health impacts, damage to belongings and general discomfort, stress and inconvenience.

– Legal – There could be legal costs associated with fighting any legal claims, including those of the tenant, if the landlord loses the case.

– Repair costs – If a damp and mould issue is not resolved promptly, or is ignored by the landlord, it can escalate and become a bigger problem. This could develop into a more serious structural defect with the property, meaning the landlord faces much higher repair costs compared to if they had reacted to the damp and mould report promptly.

– Relocation costs – If the landlord cannot resolve the damp and mould problem within the strict timeframes dictated by Awaab’s Law, they must re-home the tenant in suitable accommodation. The landlord is liable for this cost, and must provide this accommodation until the rental property is safe and comfortable to live in again.

– Time – Dealing with repairs and legal cases takes up considerable time and the landlord may not have the resources to manage this. If they had been proactive with Awaab’s Law compliance, they could have prevented a damp and mould issue from developing.

Reputational damage

A landlord can suffer reputational damage if they are found to be in violation of the Awaab’s Law regulations. This could be costly for the landlord, particularly if they have a larger portfolio of properties they have to fill. Housing disrepair disputes can go public and can become hostile, which is not helpful for a landlord who is always looking to attract tenants.

Support with Awaab’s Law compliance

It is patently clear that landlords can’t afford not to take Awaab’s Law seriously. They are now obligated to proactively identify issues with damp and mould, and must react within strict timeframes to reported issues. Furthermore, there are potentially costly consequences in terms of fines, legal claims, repairs and relocations.

At Awaab Comply we have developed a smartphone app which helps landlords with their compliance obligations. We can help you plan and schedule your compliance requirements and to produce professional reports which fulfil your duties, so check out our app online and book a free demo.