Awaab’s Law marks a watershed moment in social housing legislation, driving accountability and urgency in addressing damp and mould. In Bellrock’s second webinar in the series, experts shared real-world insights and practical approaches for achieving compliance. Here are the five key takeaways housing professionals need to know.
1. Mandatory timelines are coming, are you ready?
From October 2025, social landlords must respond to health hazards like damp and mould within strict timeframes:
- 14 days for initial investigation
- 48 hours to provide written findings
- 7 days to begin remediation
- 24 hours for high-risk cases
Failure to meet these can result in fines, legal consequences, and reputational damage.
Takeaway
Review and overhaul your internal workflows now to avoid panic later.
2. A proactive, not reactive, approach is the new standard
Awaab’s Law is pushing the sector toward preventative care, not just emergency response. This includes:
- Educating tenants on ventilation and prevention
- Upgrading ventilation systems during retrofit projects
- Monitoring high-risk properties using technology
Quote from the session
“Ventilation is the lungs of the building, treat it like it’s yours.”
3. Smart monitoring = smarter compliance
IoT solutions are enabling real-time, remote monitoring of properties to detect damp, condensation, extreme temperatures, and fuel poverty. These insights allow:
- Data-driven interventions
- Early tenant engagement
- Audit-ready compliance records
A pilot in London showed £210,000/year in savings for every 500 devices deployed.
Tip
Use funding from retrofit programs to double up on Awaab’s Law compliance.
4. It’s bigger than just mould, think holistically
The panel urged housing providers to look beyond Awaab’s Law and embed it into wider compliance efforts, including:
- The Building Safety Act
- Fire safety standards
- Heat network legislation
- EPC and decarbonisation targets
Takeaway
Integrate compliance efforts under one strategic plan rather than tackling legislation in silos.
5. Bring tenants along the journey
Education is key, for staff and tenants alike. Mould often results from daily living habits and insufficient knowledge of ventilation or heating systems. As one speaker put it: “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
Action
Provide easy-to-understand resources and support to tenants as part of your compliance strategy.
Final Thoughts
Awaab’s Law isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about protecting lives. From tech adoption to tenant education, housing providers have a chance to lead the charge in meaningful reform. The tools are there. The legislation is coming. Now’s the time to act.
