Awaab's Law 2025: New Damp & Mould Repair Timeframes Explained

Important Information

This guidance is for general information only. If you're experiencing urgent housing issues, contact your local authority housing team or emergency services immediately. For specific legal advice, consult a qualified housing solicitor.

Key Timeframes Under Awaab's Law

Emergency Hazards: 24 Hours

Immediate threat to life or serious injury
Gas leaks, electrical faults, structural collapse risk
Complete loss of heating in winter months
Severe flooding or fire damage

Urgent Hazards: 7 Days

Significant health risks requiring rapid action
Serious damp and mould infestations
Faulty heating systems (not complete failure)
Major leaks affecting multiple rooms
Broken security doors or windows

Non-Urgent Hazards: 14 Days

Health hazards that don't pose immediate serious risk
Minor damp issues
Non-functioning ventilation
Smaller leaks or drainage problems
Pest infestations

What Constitutes Damp and Mould Under the Law

The legislation specifically targets Category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS):

Serious Mould (7-Day Response)

Black mould covering more than one square metre
Mould affecting bedrooms or living areas
Visible mould with associated musty odours
Mould causing respiratory symptoms

Minor Damp Issues (14-Day Response)

Small patches of surface mould (under 1m²)
Condensation issues without established mould
Isolated damp patches without health impact

Your Rights as a Tenant

Reporting Process

Report hazards in writing - email, letter, or through your landlord's online portal
Keep records of all communications and photos
Landlord must acknowledge your report within 48 hours
Right to compensation if timeframes are missed

When Landlords Miss Deadlines

Automatic right to compensation (amount varies by severity)
Right to do works yourself and claim costs back
Housing Ombudsman escalation for persistent failures
Local authority enforcement powers strengthened

How We're Preparing at Attentive Housing

Our Safe Homes Programme already exceeds the new Awaab's Law requirements:

Our Current Response Times

Emergency hazards: 2 hours (law requires 24 hours)
Urgent repairs: 24 hours (law requires 7 days)
Routine maintenance: 7 days (law requires 14 days)

Proactive Prevention

Monthly damp and mould inspections
Ventilation system maintenance every 6 months
Resident education programmes on condensation prevention
Rapid response maintenance team available 24/7

If you need to report a repair or have concerns about damp and mould, contact our tenant support team immediately.

Impact on Housing Providers

Legal Obligations

Social housing providers must now:

Investigate reports within 48 hours
Complete remedial works within statutory timeframes
Provide regular updates to tenants during repair process
Pay compensation automatically when deadlines are missed

Financial Penalties

£5,000 fixed penalties for each missed deadline
Unlimited fines for serious or repeat breaches
Court-ordered compensation to affected tenants
Regulatory action by the Regulator of Social Housing

What This Means for Partners and Referrers

If you work with vulnerable adults or families, Awaab's Law strengthens your ability to ensure safe housing:

Enhanced Enforcement Powers

Local authority housing teams have stronger intervention powers
Adult safeguarding can escalate housing hazards more effectively
Care Quality Commission inspections will examine housing conditions more closely

Referral Pathways

Our partnership programmes ensure rapid responses for vulnerable residents:

Safeguarding referrals trigger emergency response protocols
Multi-agency case management for complex housing needs
Outcome reporting to demonstrate housing safety improvements

Preparing for October 2025

For Residents

✅ Document everything - photos, dates, communications
✅ Know your rights - understand the new timeframes
✅ Report early - don't wait for problems to worsen
✅ Keep records of any health impacts from housing conditions

For Housing Providers

✅ Review repair procedures to meet new timeframes
✅ Train staff on hazard identification and escalation
✅ Implement tracking systems for statutory deadlines
✅ Establish compensation procedures for missed deadlines

For Partners

✅ Update referral procedures to include housing hazard reporting
✅ Train staff to recognise Category 1 housing hazards
✅ Establish escalation routes for emergency housing issues
✅ Document housing conditions during routine visits

Common Questions About Awaab's Law

Yes - registered providers, local authority housing, and housing associations must comply from October 2025.

What if my landlord says they can't meet the timeframes?

The law provides no exceptions. Landlords must either complete repairs within deadlines or pay compensation while arranging alternative solutions.

How much compensation will I receive?

Compensation amounts haven't been finalised but will be set by secondary legislation before October 2025.

Getting Help and Support

If you're experiencing damp, mould, or other housing hazards:

🔗 Report repairs immediately through our tenant support service
🔗 Learn about housing safety through our Safe Homes Programme
🔗 Professional property management via our comprehensive service

For housing professionals and partners, our corporate partnership team can provide guidance on compliance and best practice implementation.

Remember: Your health and safety matter. Don't wait - report housing hazards as soon as you notice them. Under Awaab's Law, swift action isn't just good practice - it's the law.

This guidance is current as of August 2025. For the latest updates on Awaab's Law implementation, check the official government guidance or contact our team directly.