Social housing tenants handed rights under ‘strict’ rules | Personal Finance | Finance
New social housing rules will provide “safer homes” for millions of Brits from later this year. The second phase of Awaab’s Law will come into force this autumn, providing new legal protections for tenants.
The legislation was first introduced in October 2025, five years after two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from living with dangerous damp and mould. The first phase required landlords to act quickly to fix such problems, alongside other emergency issues.
From November 30, 2026, it will be expanded to protect tenants against other health hazards including structural problems, electrical faults, fire risks and excess cold and heat. The change will affect the approximately four milllion households in England’s social rental sector, which includes around 2.5million housing association tenants and 1.6million council tenants.
The new law sets out strict deadlines for landlords to tackle non-emergency issues, requiring them to investigate dangerous problems and ensure safety within 24 hours.
If something is serious but not immediately dangerous, they must investigate it within 10 working days and provide a written summary of planned action within three working days.
They must then carry out urgent safety work within five working days of the investigation and start longer-term repairs within 12 weeks.
Housing secretary Steve Reed said: “Awaab’s Law sends a clear message that tenants’ health and safety can never be compromised.
“This action will mean dangers have to be dealt with quickly by law, protecting tenants’ rights to a safe and decent home.”
Gavin Smart, chief executive of the Chartered Insitute of Housing (CIH) added: “Extending Awaab’s Law to these hazards is an important step towards safer, healthier homes, and we welcome the collaborative approach the government has taken.
“This is about more than compliance; it is a culture of listening to residents and acting on their concerns, and that is the change we want to help the sector deliver.
“CIH will support our members in delivering these duties and in continuing to feedback throughout the test-and-learn phase.”
