Already in force
Since 27 October 2025: all emergency hazards and significant damp-and-mould hazards in the covered social rented sector.
ECOPROCORK® · A landlord’s guide · 2026 update
Awaab’s Law:
Know the dates. Plan the response.
A practical overview for landlords and property managers in England, with a clear distinction between social housing requirements and private rented housing.
Checked against official guidance: 6 October 2026. General information, not individual legal advice.
See the repair deadlines Landlord Q&A →
AI-generated illustrative bedroom image.
What is Awaab’s Law?
It places enforceable investigation and safety-work requirements into relevant social housing tenancies. It applies principally to homes let by registered social housing providers in England. The duties respond to qualifying hazards, not just visible mould. Official Phase 1 guidance.
The 2026 change
From 30 November 2026, significant-hazard duties expand to excess cold and heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and explosions, electrical hazards and domestic hygiene.
Read the official 2026 Phase 2 guidance →
30 November is the expansion date—not permission to delay dangerous repairs. Existing safety duties continue.
What are the repair deadlines?
The following summarises the social housing timeframes. They are maximum limits; circumstances may demand faster action.
| Requirement | Maximum timeframe | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Investigate an emergency and complete relevant safety work | 24 hours | Awareness of the potential emergency hazard |
| Investigate a potential significant hazard | 10 working days | Awareness of the potential hazard |
| Provide the tenant’s written investigation summary | 3 working days | Conclusion of the investigation; see official guidance for exceptions |
| Complete relevant safety work for a confirmed significant hazard | 5 working days | Conclusion of the investigation |
| Begin, or take steps to begin, preventative work | 5 working days | Conclusion of the investigation |
If preventative work cannot start within five working days, start as soon as reasonably practicable and within 12 weeks; complete it within a reasonable period. Provide suitable alternative accommodation at the landlord’s expense when safety work cannot meet the required timeframe.
Working-day clocks usually start the day after the triggering event; the emergency clock starts immediately. Phase 1 timeframes · Phase 2 requirements and transitional arrangements.
Private landlord? Check the distinction.
The 2026 social housing expansion is not a blanket commencement date for private rentals. Government information describes extending Awaab’s Law to private renting as a separate process. Check the current commencement rules for your tenancy. Existing repair and fitness obligations still matter. Government update on private renting →
A practical response checklist
- Record when the issue was first reported or discovered; nominate a responsible case owner.
- Arrange competent risk assessment, including the household’s circumstances.
- Track investigation, communication and safety-work deadlines separately.
- Document access attempts, findings, photographs, contractor instructions and follow-up.
- Confirm the underlying moisture, heating, ventilation or building defect and the repair scope.
- Check effectiveness after the work and retain the evidence.
This checklist is an operational aid. Use the regulations and official guidance for the legal requirements.
Landlord Q&A
Is every patch of mould an emergency?
No. Assess the risk and household circumstances. A potential emergency requires the emergency response; significant hazards follow the applicable significant-hazard route.
Can I wait for the 2026 expansion?
No. Phase 1 is already in force for covered hazards. Other safety and repair duties continue for hazards outside that phase.
Is booking a contractor enough?
No. Booking alone does not establish completion of the required safety work. Manage the actual outcome and the applicable deadline.
Does five working days mean every permanent repair must be finished?
It is the relevant safety-work deadline for confirmed significant hazards. Supplementary preventative work has separate commencement and completion requirements.
Can I assume mould is caused by the tenant’s lifestyle?
No. Investigate the cause and risk; do not use assumptions about ordinary household activities to avoid action.
What if I cannot make the home safe in time?
The social housing rules require suitable alternative accommodation at the landlord’s expense when the relevant safety-work timeframe cannot be met.
Does applying cork make a property legally compliant?
No product or coating alone establishes compliance. A suitable treatment may form part of an assessed remedial specification; risk management, repairs, ventilation, heating, communication and evidence remain essential.
Do these dates apply outside England?
This guide covers England. Check the legislation and guidance for the property’s jurisdiction separately.
Legal questions above summarise the Phase 1 and Phase 2 government guidance. Check the full guidance for definitions, exceptions and transitional cases.
Discuss the building—not just the finish.
For assessed cold-wall or condensation-related projects, share the property type, photographs and survey findings with ECOPROCORK. We can discuss appropriate material options and applicator availability alongside your wider remedial plan.
Discuss a landlord project Professional project support →
Official sources
- Phase 1: social landlord guidance
- Phase 2: social landlord guidance, effective 30 November 2026
- Government private-renting update
Recheck official guidance before acting. Seek independent legal advice about a particular tenancy, disputed responsibility or enforcement issue.