Awaab's Law and Social Housing
The Government has announced the forthcoming implementation of Awaab's Law, which will take effect for the social housing sector from October 2025. Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed that:- “We intend to act as quickly as possible to bring all relevant hazards within the scope of new legal requirements, but to ensure its effective implementation we will implement Awaab’s Law through a phased approach.”
Michael Gove launches new consultation to deliver Awaab’s Law
DLUHC in the Media
There has been widespread coverage in the media about the consultation published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, which sets out new plans to improve social housing standards and clamp down on rogue social landlords who fail to provide safe homes – supporting the Government’s pledge to deliver Awaab’s Law.
This includes new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start fixing within a further 7 days, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Those landlords who fail to comply can be taken to court where they may be ordered to pay compensation for tenants.
Several national outlets including BBC News, The Sun, The Independent, Daily Mirror, Sky News, and The Daily Telegraph all report that social landlords will be legally required to repair emergency hazards within 24 hours and must keep clear records of issues and their attempts to resolve these – with tenants also given increased legislative power to challenge housing conditions through the courts. Coverage also notes Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, expressing support for the new proposals.