Awaab’s Law: What It Means for You

Awaab’s Law has been introduced to protect tenants from serious hazards like damp and mould. It was introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing. Despite repeated complaints, no action was taken—highlighting serious failings in housing safety and accountability. 

What Is Awaab’s Law? 

Part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, Awaab’s Law sets legally binding timeframes for landlords to investigate and fix serious hazards: 

• Emergency hazards (e.g. severe mould or leaks) must be resolved within 24 hours. 

• Significant risks must be investigated within 10 working days, with repairs starting within 5 days if needed. 

• Landlords must provide a written summary of findings within 3 working days of an investigation. 

• If these deadlines aren’t met, tenants can take legal action. The law begins with damp and mould in October 2025, and will expand to cover other hazards by 2027.  

What STAR Housing Is Doing 

We’re taking steps to meet the requirements of Awaab’s Law—improving how we respond to damp and mould, raising awareness, and making it easier for you to report issues. Our goal is to act quickly, communicate clearly, and keep your home safe. 

Your Role as a Tenant 

You play a vital part in keeping your home safe. If you notice signs of damp or mould: 

• Check our guide and video on spotting and preventing condensation. 

• Report it immediately—especially if you’ve already tried the advice and the issue persists. 

•  Let us know if you’re worried about a neighbour’s home—we’re here to help. 

Need Help? 

We treat reports of damp and mould as a priority. If you're concerned, please contact us: 

• 0333 32 12 200 

• Email us at repairs@starhousing.org.uk 

• Report damp & mould online using the reporting firm HERE