Background on Awaab’s Law and Its Requirements

Awaab’s Law mandates that social housing landlords must investigate significant hazards, including damp and mould, within 10 working days of becoming aware of them. This legislation aims to improve living conditions by ensuring timely action on issues that affect tenant health and property quality. The law currently applies to social landlords but is anticipated to extend to the private rented sector, with a likely implementation date in 2027.

Performance of Suffolk Councils on Damp and Mould Targets

According to a BBC report, Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council, which collectively manage around 700 homes, have not met the full requirements of Awaab’s Law. Mid Suffolk resolved 63% of reported hazards within the required timeframe, while Babergh achieved a 78% resolution rate. These figures fall short of the 100% target set by the legislation.

David White, head of housing transformation and regulation for both councils, acknowledged the difficulty of achieving a complete resolution rate. He attributed some of the challenges to contractor-related issues but emphasised that significant improvements have been made. Over the past 18 months, the councils have implemented more than 40 new contracts covering repairs, assets, and asset management, replacing a previously fragmented approach without performance measures.

Steps Taken to Improve Compliance

Mandeep Bhogil, interim director of housing for the councils, explained that they are currently in the process of embedding these new contractors and refining the data they can extract to better monitor performance. This suggests a move towards more systematic and accountable management of housing repairs and hazard resolution.

The councils’ experience illustrates the operational challenges social landlords face in meeting the strict deadlines imposed by Awaab’s Law, especially when prior contract arrangements were inadequate. The introduction of comprehensive contracts with clear performance metrics is a key step towards compliance.

Implications for Landlords and the Private Rented Sector

The government plans to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, although no exact date has been confirmed. The extension will require private landlords and letting agents to investigate and resolve damp and mould hazards within the same 10-working-day period.

Officials have stated that the law will be applied in a manner that is “fair, proportionate and effective” for both landlords and tenants, recognising the differences between social housing and private rentals. For private landlords, this means preparing for tighter regulatory scrutiny and potentially increased responsibilities in managing property conditions.

What This Means for UK Landlords

Landlords should be aware that the standards set by Awaab’s Law will soon affect the private rented sector, requiring prompt action on damp and mould issues. Establishing reliable repair contracts with clear performance measures, as the Suffolk councils are doing, will be essential to meet these obligations.

Proactive monitoring of properties and swift responses to tenant reports can help landlords avoid penalties and maintain good tenant relations. Understanding the operational challenges faced by social landlords under this law can provide valuable insights for private landlords preparing for its extension.