In the first King Speech under a Labour government for 14 years, there were 40 pieces of proposed legislation identified.

One important piece of legislation which social landlords were awaiting, was Awaab’s Law.

Awaab’s Law was named after the tragic death of  Awaab Ishak, aged 2, in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in the property where he lived. A consultation by the Conservative Party occurred in early 2024 regarding the proposal for the implementation of Awaab’s Law under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.  The Labour government now appear to have included Awaab’s Law within the newly worded Renters Rights Bill.

This wide-ranging Bill will apply Awaab’s Law to the registered provider sector by setting clear legal expectations about the time frames within which landlords must make homes safer and apply the ‘decent homes standard’. This law will also be extended to the private rented sector.  

Further details on the Bill will emerge in the coming weeks and it will be interesting to see whether the Labour government will take on board the sectors’ feedback to limit Awaab’s law to damp, mould and condensation issues, as opposed to it applying to all the 29 health and safety hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

For more information on Awaab's Law, contact Suzanne Gregson.