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On 27th October 2025, Awaab’s Law will come into force. And when it does, it won’t just change housing law – it will change who’s expected to act, how quickly, and what happens if you don’t.

The law is clear: social housing landlords will have 14 days to investigate damp and mould complaints and 7 days to begin repairs if a health risk is found.

But here’s what we need to talk about.

We don't need to wait to act on emergency hazards. If you’re in the private rented sector, you never needed a new law to do the right thing. You already have the tools, the standards, and the duty of care.

So why is it still so easy to find homes that are "unfit for letting purposes"?

Damp and Mould Are No Longer “Maintenance Issues”

Awaab Ishak died at age two due to prolonged exposure to mould. His death wasn’t the result of rare or unknown pathogens – it was caused by a well-documented hazard that was overlooked.

Mould is a Category 1 health risk, the same legal significant risk as exposed wiring or broken stairs. Still, some agents continue to dismiss it as a "lifestyle issue." But Government guidance says otherwise. Landlords must investigate structural factors first – insulation, ventilation, heating – before making any assumptions about tenant behaviour.

Calling it lifestyle isn’t just outdated. It’s unlawful.

The Enforcement Gap Is a Business Risk Hiding in Plain Sight

For every council-led enforcement, hundreds of properties go unchecked.

  • Local authorities face recruitment shortages – 45% of councils report difficulty hiring Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).
  • In urban areas, there are just 2.2 EHOs per 10,000 private-rented homes.
  • In 2021/22, of 23,727 complaints that were logged, fewer than half were inspected. Only 27 prosecutions were pursued.

The implication is clear: compliance is no longer guaranteed by inspection. It has to be driven internally – by landlords, agents, and the tools they rely on.

For property and housing professionals, that’s both a risk and an opportunity.

This Isn’t Just Social Housing’s Problem

Awaab’s Law may target social landlords first, but the private sector is next.

The Renters’ Rights Bill proposes a Decent Homes Standard for private rentals. The modelling aims for 2035–2037, but frankly, that’s nine years too late. You don’t need new legislation to know that homes should be safe, warm, dry and habitable.

The HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) already gives councils power to enforce repairs. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 gives tenants legal recourse. The law is there. Enforcement capacity is not.

Why Now Matters: Safety, Standards, and Staying Ahead

Whether you’re driven by a need to lead, a need to protect your business, or a need to stay efficient, one thing is clear – waiting isn’t neutral anymore. It’s a liability.

Awaab’s Law shows us where the line is being redrawn. From 27th October 2025, landlords who fail to act on damp and mould risks won’t just be seen as negligent, they’ll be held accountable. But this isn’t just about regulation. It’s about reputation, retention, and readiness.

Right now, your systems and processes can be the difference between a brand people trust and one that ends up on a tenant’s TikTok, in the Ombudsman’s inbox, or on a local news site.

Here’s what smart property professionals are already doing:

  • Embedding damp and mould checks into routine inspections using HHSRS-aligned templates.
  • Using real-time evidence – photographic records, moisture meter data, and smart sensors – to monitor and flag Category 1 hazards.
  • Automating follow-up actions so issues don’t just get recorded, they get resolved.

This isn’t extra red tape. It’s how you show tenants, landlords, regulators, and stakeholders that your standards aren’t based on what’s required – they’re based on what’s right.

Taking the lead now shows foresight. Acting on risk shows professionalism. Streamlining compliance shows operational control.

Whatever your motive, the message is the same: those who act early won’t just meet the new standard – they’ll define it.

The future of property compliance is digital, routine, and accountable. With Inventory Base, it can also be immediate. Don’t wait for permission to do what’s right. Get ahead of the curve – and be the agent, the landlord, or the professional who sets the standard.