Awaab’s Law was introduced in response to the loss of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, where long-term exposure to mould in his home was found to be a key factor. The law is designed to stop that ever happening again. From 27 October 2025, social landlords in England must follow fixed timelines to investigate and make safe dangerous conditions, starting with emergency hazards and significant damp and mould. That clarity on timeframes is new, and it raises the standard for how quickly hazards are made safe and prevented from returning. At Platinum Chemicals our role is simple. We help landlords and tenants act early, make homes safe quickly, and prevent problems from coming back. This article explains what the law requires, how it is enforced, and what good practice looks like in the real world. We also reflect the Housing Ombudsman’s position that damp and mould is not a 'lifestyle' issue. The focus is on hazards, health and prevention, not blame. What Is Awaab’s Law? Awaab’s Law is the short name for the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025. It is enabled by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which inserts a term into social tenancy agreements requiring compliance with these Regulations. In practice, this gives tenants a contractual route to hold their social landlord to account if the landlord does not act within the set timeframes. From 27 October 2025, Phase 1 applies to emergency hazards and to significant damp and mould hazards. Social landlords must: Investigate a potential significant hazard within 10 working days. Provide a written summary within 3 working days of the investigation concluding. Carry out relevant safety work within 5 working days of that point. They must then begin any further preventative works within 5 working days. If those works cannot practically begin within five days, they must start as soon as possible and be physically started within 12 weeks. Where an emergency hazard is suspected, the landlord must investigate within 24 hours and make the property safe within the same 24 hours, or offer suitable alternative accommodation until it is safe. The Government has confirmed a phased expansion: In 2026 the Regulations will extend to additional HHSRS-type hazards such as excess cold and heat, fire and electrical hazards. All remaining HHSRS hazards except overcrowding are planned for 2027. That phased approach does not reduce existing legal duties to keep homes safe and fit for human habitation in the meantime. Awaab’s Law timelines: 24h Emergency, 10 Working Days Investigation, 3 Days Summary, 5 Days Safety Work, start within 12 Weeks. Who Does It Apply To, And How Is It Enforced? Awaab’s Law applies to social landlords in England, which includes local authorities and housing associations registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. The duties become part of the tenancy by law. If a social landlord misses the required actions or timelines, the named tenant can take the landlord to court for breach of contract. Tenants can also use the landlord’s complaints procedure and escalate to the Housing Ombudsman Service, which has been clear that landlords must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to damp and mould. Private renters are not directly within Awaab’s Law at this stage. However, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 already gives private and social tenants a route to the courts if a property is unfit for human habitation, including where damp and mould make a home unsafe. Many private landlords now choose to mirror Awaab’s Law timelines as good practice because it is a clear, resident-centred way to manage hazards. For both sectors the message is the same. Treat damp and mould as a health hazard, investigate promptly, make the home safe, and prevent recurrence with evidence-led measures. Platinum Chemicals supports that approach with proven remedial treatments, ventilation upgrades and thermal improvements that fit within the law’s timelines and record-keeping expectations. The Fixed Timeframes: Phase 1 from 27 October 2025 When a landlord becomes aware of a potential hazard, the Awaab’s Law clock starts. The first decision is whether the issue amounts to a potential emergency hazard or a potential significant hazard. This is a person-centred judgement that takes account of who lives in the home. A hazard that might be tolerable for a healthy adult may present a far greater risk where a baby, a child with asthma, someone who is pregnant or a person with a long-term respiratory condition is present. If it is a potential emergency hazard, the landlord must investigate within 24 hours and, if an emergency is confirmed, complete all relevant safety work within the same 24 hours. Where the home cannot be made safe in time, suitable alternative accommodation must be offered and the tenant kept informed. A written summary of the investigation and findings must usually be sent within three working days of the investigation concluding. If it is a potential significant hazard such as damp and mould posing a significant risk, the landlord must investigate within ten working days. If a significant hazard is confirmed, the landlord must provide a written summary within three working days of the investigation concluding, complete relevant safety work within five working days, and begin any further preventive works within five working days. Where starting those further works within five working days is not possible, steps must be taken to begin as soon as practicable and work must physically start within twelve weeks. Landlords should keep residents updated and complete all works within a reasonable period. In practice this means quick, visible action to make the home safe now, followed by measures that stop the problem coming back. For damp and mould this typically involves safe removal of visible growth, clear communication, and then targeted repairs, ventilation improvements or thermal upgrades to prevent recurrence. Platinum Chemicals supports this approach with compliant products and systems that fit these legal timelines. Health: Why Damp and Mould is Urgent Damp and mould is a health issue, not a housekeeping issue. Government health guidance makes clear that living with damp and mould increases the risk of respiratory problems and infections, and can worsen conditions such as asthma. Children, babies, older people, pregnant women and anyone with existing lung disease are at particular risk. Landlords are therefore expected to act quickly and prevent recurrence, rather than place responsibility on 'lifestyle'. Condensation on window glass indicating excess indoor humidity NHS guidance echoes this. Breathing in mould spores can trigger coughing, wheezing and breathlessness in sensitised people and may lead to more frequent asthma attacks. Homes that remain damp also favour dust mites, which can aggravate allergies. The safest course is to remove visible growth, fix the cause of damp, and improve ventilation and surface temperatures so conditions do not allow mould to return. That is exactly what Awaab’s Law is designed to drive. What 'Good' Looks Like: Principles Landlords Should Follow A good response to damp and mould is built on zero tolerance, clear communication and prevention. Landlords should treat reports as potential health hazards, not housekeeping issues, and avoid attributing blame to 'lifestyle'. The Housing Ombudsman has been explicit on this point, and government health guidance reinforces the need to act quickly, be sensitive to residents’ circumstances and remove risk without delay. Good investigations are evidence led. Before removal, photograph and record where mould appears, take account of who lives in the home, and consider building defects, ventilation performance and cold surfaces that may be driving condensation. Landlords should give tenants a short written plan explaining what will happen and by when, then follow up to confirm the problem has not returned. The government advises a follow-up inspection after remedial work to make sure the root cause has been resolved. 'Make safe' and 'prevent' should run together. Making safe means removing visible growth in line with product labels and health guidance, then providing simple safety advice to the household. Prevention means tackling the underlying cause so it does not come back, for example repairing leaks, improving extract ventilation, raising surface temperatures on cold bridges, and applying an appropriate coating system at redecoration. The draft Awaab’s Law guidance anticipates immediate safety measures followed by further works to prevent recurrence where needed. At Platinum Chemicals we support this approach with proven solutions that slot into the legal timelines. For immediate safety works, dedicated mould removers such as Wykamol MCS1 Mould Clear Solution or MCS1 Concentrate 5X allow professional treatment when used as directed. For prevention, options include Nuaire iSense-PLUS continuous extract in wet rooms, Nuaire Drimaster ECO PIV for whole-home moisture dilution where appropriate, Passyfier Dehumidifier Vents for passive background control, ISO-THERM Thin Internal Insulation on persistent cold spots, and Anti-Mould Paints or additives such as Wykamol MCS3 at redecoration. These are examples only and should be chosen to match survey findings. An ETI 810-145 Therma-Hygrometer measuring indoor humidity and temperature. Practical Workflow That Aligns With Awaab’s Law Timeframes Day zero is when the landlord becomes aware of a potential hazard. Use the initial information and the household’s health context to decide if it is potentially emergency or significant. For emergencies, investigate and make safe within twenty-four hours. For potential significant damp and mould hazards, complete the investigation within ten working days, send a short written summary within three working days of concluding that investigation, complete relevant safety work within five working days, and then begin the further remedial works needed to prevent recurrence. Keep the tenant updated throughout. Make the home safe first. Remove visible growth using a proprietary mould treatment that is suitable for the surface, ventilate the work area, and provide the household with clear information on staying safe until the permanent fix is completed. Where the home cannot be made safe in time, suitable alternative accommodation must be arranged in line with the draft guidance. Fix the cause next. If surveys confirm inadequate ventilation, commission improvements that meet Building Regulations performance. In wet rooms, continuous low-energy extract such as Nuaire iSense-PLUS dMEV provides constant background removal with demand-led boost. Where whole-home humidity is the driver and the dwelling is suitable, Nuaire Drimaster ECO PIV can reduce condensation risk when used alongside compliant extract in kitchens and bathrooms. Approved Document F allows alternative systems if you can show they meet the performance requirements, which is why commissioning and recorded airflow checks matter. Address cold surfaces and finishes. On persistent cold bridges, thin internal insulation such as ISO-THERM raises surface temperatures so moisture is less likely to condense. After treatment and drying, redecorate with an anti-mould coating or add a fungicidal additive such as Wykamol MCS3 to the chosen paint, and renew perished sanitary sealants with Mould-Resistant Sealants. Follow up after works to confirm that readings and conditions have improved. Government health guidance recommends a follow-up check to ensure mould has not returned. Record what you did. Document the investigation, photographs, actions and dates, and keep simple temperature and humidity readings before and after improvements. Clear records help demonstrate that you met the required timescales and tackled the underlying cause, which is central to both Awaab’s Law and wider health guidance. Safe Clean-up: What To Use And What To Avoid Use a mould-specific cleaner that is intended for the surface and follow the label. Government health guidance advises using mould and mildew products in preference to household bleach for health and safety reasons. Absorbent materials that are mouldy may need to be discarded because complete removal can be difficult. Do not dry brush, since that spreads spores. Keep the area well ventilated during and after treatment. Application of a mould treatment solution with suitable PPE being worn. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. For routine small-scale clean-ups this means eye protection, gloves and a suitable mask, and it is sensible to close internal doors and open a window to limit the spread of spores while maintaining fresh air. For extensive growth or where there are vulnerable occupants, use competent contractors. Do not paint over mould or rely on cosmetic stain cover. Treat the growth, allow the surface to dry thoroughly, address the underlying cause, then redecorate with an anti-mould system so the problem does not return. Government guidance is clear that removing visible mould alone will not prevent recurrence if the root cause remains. Platinum Chemicals supplies professional products that suit these safe-working steps when used as directed. Wykamol MCS1 is available as a ready-to-use solution or as a concentrate for larger jobs, with MCS3 Additive and Anti-Mould Paints for redecoration, plus mould-resistant sealants for kitchens and bathrooms. Choose products that match the surface and read the safety information before use. How Platinum Chemicals Products Fit: Make Safe And Prevent Immediate Hazard Removal When a property presents a clear risk from visible mould, the first duty is to make it safe. That starts with professional biocidal treatment, applied in line with the label and with the area well ventilated. Our Wykamol MCS1 Mould Clear Solution is a ready-to-use cleaner for rapid response on walls, ceilings and many coated surfaces. Where larger areas or repeated outbreaks need a deeper approach, MCS1 Mould Clear Concentrate 5X delivers the same trusted chemistry in an economical format that can be mixed to suit the task. If you prefer a long-standing trade alternative, ACS Mould Wash Concentrate performs the same role for sterilising affected substrates prior to redecoration. For housing teams that want everything in one place, the MCS Mould Eradication Kit and ACS Mould Control Kit bring the core products and tools together so operatives can work methodically and record the steps taken. MCS1 Mould Clear Concentrate and MCS3 Paint Additives, used together for professional mould removal and long-term protection on treated surfaces. Safe working matters. During clean-up, operatives should wear suitable personal protective equipment. In practice that means a filtering facepiece such as an FFP3 Disposable Respirator, Chemical-Resistant Gloves, Eye Protection and Type 5/6 Disposable Coveralls. Close internal doors, open a window to maintain fresh air, and avoid dry brushing so spores are not dispersed. Once the surface has been treated and allowed to dry, you can move on to the measures that stop the problem returning. Monitoring And Evidence Good records help demonstrate compliance and give residents confidence that conditions are improving. Before and after works, log temperature and relative humidity and photograph the affected areas. Simple, reliable instruments make this easy. Digital Therma-Hygrometer measuring room temperature and humidity levels linked to condensation and mould. Our ETI Therma-Hygrometers such as the 810-130, 810-140, 810-145 and 810-190 allow quick spot readings to track dry-down, confirm that ventilation changes are working and provide a clear audit trail for follow-up visits. Keep the readings with dates, locations and a short note of the actions taken so you can show a clear cause-and-effect between the intervention and the improved environment. Ventilation Upgrades To Prevent Recurrence Most recurring black mould in occupied homes is condensation related, so background and extract ventilation must be right. In wet rooms, continuous low energy extract keeps moisture under control day in, day out. The Nuaire iSense-PLUS dMEV is a constant flow, demand controlled fan designed for exactly this duty, maintaining a steady baseline with quiet performance and boosting automatically when needed. Commission the controls to suit the property by setting the continuous flow to meet Part F rates, confirming the boost trigger and overrun, checking door undercuts and background vents, and recording the measured airflows for your file. For whole home moisture dilution, the Nuaire Drimaster ECO PIV introduces filtered, tempered air at a gentle rate to reduce relative humidity across the dwelling, which lowers the risk of condensation on cold surfaces. Commission the unit by selecting the airflow for the dwelling size and leakage, positioning and balancing the diffuser, setting the comfort heater where fitted, confirming return air paths under doors, and dating the filter so maintenance is clear to residents. It works best when used alongside compliant kitchen and bathroom extract and when air paths are available through the home. Nuaire Drimaster Eco PIV Unit installed in loft to improve airflow and reduce condensation risk In problem rooms where a passive route is appropriate, Passyfier Dehumidifier Vents provide a simple, low maintenance way to relieve moisture without relying on occupant behaviour. The range includes both Core (Passyfier 100 / 140) and Sleeved Types (Passyfier 230), in a range of external vent colours, so you can match the vent to suit the wall exterior. Internally, position the vent high on the wall, no more than 12 inches below ceiling level, to favour buoyancy. This positioning is crucial for optimal performance in ventilation and moisture control. Keep the grille unobstructed and dust it periodically. A Passyfier Dehumidifier Vent installed for passive moisture control and condensation prevention. Thermal Improvement Of Cold Surfaces Cold bridges and external corners can remain at risk even with good ventilation, particularly on north-facing walls. Raising the surface temperature at these points makes condensation less likely. ISO-THERM Internal Wall Insulation is a thin, room-friendly option that can be installed locally or across full walls to tackle stubborn cold spots without major disruption. ISO-THERM Internal Wall Insulation being applied to a cold external wall to reduce condensation and surface mould. Applied to a properly prepared, dry substrate, it gives a more forgiving surface ahead of redecoration and helps stabilise conditions, especially in bedrooms and living rooms that sit against unheated spaces. Redecoration And Sealing Once the substrate is clean, dry and sound, choose a coating system that resists regrowth. Our Anti-Mould and Condensation Paints are formulated for these conditions and can be strengthened further where needed by adding a fungicidal additive. Wykamol MCS3 Fungicidal Additive mixes into most water-based decorative paints to provide long-lasting resistance, and ACS Anti-Mould Additive offers a similar route where brand consistency is preferred. In kitchens and bathrooms, renew perished silicone with a mould-resistant sanitary sealant so joints remain watertight. Always treat first, allow proper drying time, and only then decorate. Painting over active mould or trapped moisture is false economy and risks a quick return. Thermal Insulating Paint being applied to an interior wall to improve surface temperature, prevent condensation and inhibit mould growth. A Note On Rising Damp And Penetrating Leaks Not every damp patch is condensation. If surveys point to rising damp, penetrating rain or plumbing leaks, fix the defect before anything else. DPC Creams, Studded Damp-Proof Membranes and External Water-Repellent Treatments are appropriate only where evidence shows those moisture mechanisms. Keep these measures proportionate and targeted so you do not mis-specify or over-treat. The aim is simple. Make safe quickly, address the cause, and leave a drier, healthier home with a clear record of what was done and why. Two Example Specifications Tied To The Law’s Clocks A) Bathroom With Heavy Black Mould And A Failed Fan (Family With Toddler) When a family with a toddler reports severe black mould in a bathroom and the extract fan is not working, treat this as a likely emergency. The legal clock starts the moment the landlord becomes aware. Attend and investigate within 24 hours. If an emergency hazard is confirmed, make the home safe as soon as practicable and within the same 24 hours. Where immediate safety cannot be achieved, offer suitable alternative accommodation and keep the tenant updated. Provide a short written summary of findings within three working days of concluding the investigation. Making the home safe begins with controlled removal of visible growth. Isolate the work area, ventilate the room, and wear appropriate PPE. Apply a dedicated mould treatment such as Wykamol MCS1 Mould Clear Solution or ACS Mould Wash Concentrate, working to the label and allowing proper drying time. Do not dry brush, since that spreads spores. Government health guidance is clear that landlords should act with urgency, remove the mould, and then tackle the underlying cause rather than delay pending medical evidence or blame 'lifestyle'. Within five working days of the investigation concluding, complete the relevant safety work. In this scenario that includes restoring effective mechanical extract. Replace the failed unit with a Nuaire iSense-PLUS dMEV or an equivalent constant-flow fan and commission it so the extract rates meet Approved Document F. Record airflow on boost and continuous settings, confirm door undercuts, and verify background ventilation where present. After the substrate is dry and sound, redecorate using an anti-mould system and add Wykamol MCS3 Fungicidal Additive where appropriate. Renew any perished sanitary silicone with a mould-resistant sealant. Leave the resident a clear, dated summary of what was done. Approved Document F sets minimum continuous extract rates and allows alternative systems provided you can evidence performance, which is why commissioning records matter. Monitoring closes the loop. Fit a simple ETI Therma-Hygrometer in the room, note temperature and relative humidity at handover, and arrange a follow-up visit to confirm conditions have improved and that mould has not returned. Government health guidance recommends a check after remedial works to ensure the issue is resolved. B) Cold North-facing Bedroom Wall With Recurrent Mould Begin with a standard investigation within ten working days of becoming aware, capturing photographs, moisture readings and the household’s health context. If the inspection confirms a significant damp and mould hazard, send the written findings within three working days. The 'significant' judgement is person-centred and should consider vulnerable occupants. Within five working days of the investigation concluding, make the room safe with a professional mould wash and start the supplementary works that prevent recurrence. In a cold-bridge case, raise surface temperatures with ISO-THERM Internal Wall Insulation on the affected wall or corners before redecoration. Improve ventilation so background humidity is controlled. Keep kitchen and bathroom extract compliant with Part F and, where the dwelling is suitable, consider whole-home moisture dilution using Nuaire Drimaster ECO PIV alongside the wet-room extract. Approved Document F lists compliant examples and allows other systems if you can show equal performance, while independent best-practice guidance explains how to inspect, install and commission PIV responsibly. If practical constraints prevent an immediate start on supplementary works, begin as soon as possible and ensure physical start within twelve weeks, keeping the tenant informed. Finish by redecorating with an anti-mould coating once the substrate is dry. Evidence and follow-up matter. Log pre- and post-works temperature and relative humidity, explain the ventilation settings and trickle-vent use, and book a return visit to confirm the absence of regrowth. Government health guidance stresses follow-up checks and reminds landlords that works to ventilation and heating are controlled work that must comply with Building Regulations. Tenants: What To Do And How To Escalate If you live with damp and mould, report it to your landlord in writing as soon as you can and keep a dated copy. Written reports start the clock and create a clear record. The Housing Ombudsman recommends written complaints via email, post or a resident portal so that you can keep evidence of what you said and when. Describe what you can see and where it is, attach photographs, and note anything that makes your household more vulnerable such as pregnancy, a child with asthma or existing breathing problems. Awaab’s Law is person centred and social landlords must use the household’s circumstances to judge risk and act to fixed timelines once they become aware of a potential hazard. Day zero is the date they first become aware, and the timeframes run in working days. If you are a social housing tenant, use your landlord’s complaints process and keep to the stages. Landlords must operate a two stage process with clear acknowledgement and response times. If the issue is not resolved, you can go to the Housing Ombudsman once you have completed the landlord’s process, or if the landlord is not responding. The Ombudsman’s service is free for residents and can require landlords to put things right. If you are a private tenant, you can still take action. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 lets private and social renters take a case to court if the property is unfit, which can include serious damp and mould. You can also ask your local council’s Environmental Health team to assess your home under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System if repairs are not being done and your health or safety is at risk. If anyone in the home is unwell, seek medical advice. National health guidance is clear that damp and mould can worsen asthma and trigger respiratory symptoms, especially in vulnerable people, so treat health concerns with urgency and tell your landlord you have sought advice. At Platinum Chemicals we encourage tenants and landlords to work together. Allowing reasonable access for inspection and remedial work helps resolve hazards within the legal timeframes, and clear written updates in return help everyone track progress. Awaab’s Law also requires social landlords to keep tenants updated and to provide a written summary of findings after investigations within three working days, which is why it helps to keep your own file of emails, letters and photos. Record-Keeping Pack For Landlords Good records protect residents and demonstrate compliance. Start the file on day zero, which is the day you first become aware of a potential hazard, and note how you became aware. Record who lives in the home and any known vulnerabilities that affect risk. The draft guidance is explicit that day zero triggers the Awaab’s Law timelines. Keep an investigation log with dated photographs, a short description of the pattern and extent of mould or damp, and any meter readings you take. Simple temperature and relative humidity readings before and after works help show that conditions have improved and are useful for follow up visits. Government guidance on damp and mould stresses prompt action, prevention and clear oversight, all of which are easier to evidence with basic environmental readings and dated images. Issue the required written summary after each investigation unless you have fully completed all required safety work within three working days. The written summary must state whether a significant or emergency hazard was found, what action is required, and a target timeframe for starting and completing that action. Keep a copy of what you sent and how you delivered it. The guidance also requires you to keep the named tenant updated about timing and progress until the works are complete. Track the legal timeframes for relevant safety work and the start of any supplementary works intended to prevent recurrence. Note appointment dates, access gained or refused, contractor attendance, commissioning results for ventilation or heating improvements, and any product data sheets used during clean up and redecoration. Detailed entries support transparency and help if a case is reviewed by the Housing Ombudsman or a court. Where relevant safety work cannot be completed within the specified timeframes, arrange suitable alternative accommodation for the household at the landlord’s expense and keep records of offers made, acceptances or refusals, and the reasons. Continue to provide updates and clear information on next steps while you minimise the time spent away from home. Close the record with a short completion note that confirms the works carried out, dates, commissioning or re-inspection results, and a plan for follow up if needed. Keep the file accessible so that residents and staff can see what has been done and when. That level of documentation fits the spirit and letter of Awaab’s Law, and it builds trust. Frequently Asked Questions Does Awaab’s Law Apply To Private Landlords? Awaab’s Law applies to social landlords in England from 27 October 2025. It creates fixed timelines for dealing with emergency hazards and with significant damp and mould. Private landlords are not directly in scope of Awaab’s Law at this stage, although they still have legal duties under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and related legislation. In practice, many private landlords are choosing to follow the same timelines as good practice. If you rent privately, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act lets you take action where a property is unfit, which can include serious damp and mould. The government’s tenant guide explains how that route works. What Counts As An Emergency? In the government’s draft guidance, an emergency hazard is one that presents an imminent and significant risk of harm to the health or safety of the tenant. Landlords must investigate potential emergencies within 24 hours and make the home safe as soon as possible within that period. The decision is person centred and should reflect who lives there. The guidance gives the example of mould in a bedroom when the resident is pregnant and has breathing symptoms, which is likely to be classed as an emergency. Is A Quick Mould Wash And Paint Enough? Often not. Under Awaab’s Law, the required work is both to make the home safe and to stop the hazard recurring. That usually means safe removal of visible mould, followed by supplementary measures that address the cause, such as repairing defects, improving ventilation and raising surface temperatures where needed. Simply washing and painting over mould without tackling the cause risks a rapid return and would not satisfy the intent of the Regulations. Should I Use Bleach? Relying on household bleach alone is not recommended. Government health guidance advises landlords to act quickly, remove mould safely and prevent recurrence. Many local authorities advise using a dedicated fungicidal or mould and mildew product, and to avoid dry brushing which spreads spores. Several councils explicitly advise against using bleach to clean mould because it may not deal with the growth effectively. Wear suitable protection and ventilate the area while you work. Does Awaab’s Law Apply Outside England? Awaab’s Law is being implemented for the social rented sector in England. It inserts requirements into social tenancy agreements and sets fixed timeframes for emergency hazards and for significant damp and mould. The government’s guidance confirms the scope and the person-centred approach to risk. Does It Cover Shared Ownership, Supported Or Temporary Accommodation? It applies to almost all social housing occupied under a tenancy and let by a registered provider. It does not apply to long leaseholds or low-cost home ownership such as shared ownership. It also does not apply where accommodation is occupied under a licence rather than a tenancy. Supported or temporary accommodation is in scope only where it is social housing occupied under a tenancy. What Exactly Must Be In The Written Summary, And How Is It Sent? Within three working days of an investigation concluding, the landlord must usually send a written summary stating whether a significant or emergency hazard was found, what action is required, and target timeframes for starting and completing it, or the reasons why no action is required. The summary can be delivered in person, left at the home, sent by first-class post, or sent electronically. The three-day period is about sending, not necessarily the tenant receiving it. Landlords should also keep tenants updated about timing and progress. What If The Landlord Cannot Get Access, Or Delays Are Outside Their Control? Social landlords have a statutory defence if they took all reasonable steps to comply but could not do so for reasons beyond their control. Even then, they must take steps within five working days to begin any supplementary works and, where immediate start is not possible, ensure works physically start within 12 weeks. If relevant safety work cannot be completed within the initial period, suitable alternative accommodation must be secured at the landlord’s expense until the home is made safe. Good records of attempts, bookings and updates are essential. Do Landlords Need A Full HHSRS Assessment Before Acting? No. The guidance makes clear that Awaab’s Law uses a person-centred assessment and does not require a full HHSRS scoring. A hazard does not have to be Category 1 to be in scope, and where local council enforcement also applies, landlords must follow whichever timeframe is shorter. What Counts As 'Relevant Safety Work' For Damp And Mould? 'Relevant safety work' is the immediate action that makes the home safe. For damp and mould, the guidance gives the example of undertaking a mould wash promptly after investigation, followed by supplementary works that prevent recurrence, such as repairing defects or improving ventilation and insulation. Tenants should not be expected to carry out this safety work themselves. Does The Law Tell You Which Ventilation Or Insulation Products To Fit? It does not prescribe brands or specific kit. Landlords should choose measures that remove the hazard and meet Building Regulations performance. Approved Document F lists example compliant systems and also allows other systems if you can demonstrate equivalent performance, which is why commissioning and recorded airflow checks matter. Whole-home options such as Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) can be used where design and evidence support them, alongside compliant kitchen and bathroom extract. How Do 'Working Days' And 'Day Zero' Work? The day the landlord becomes aware of a potential hazard is Day Zero. Day One of the relevant timeframe starts on the next working day. The guidance sets out common ways a landlord can become aware, including tenant reports, routine inspections or third-party notifications. In Memory And Purpose Awaab’s Law exists because a child died due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home. That reality should reset priorities for everyone involved in housing. Professionalism, empathy and speed are essential, and so is a zero-tolerance approach that treats damp and mould as a health hazard rather than a housekeeping matter. Acting quickly to make homes safe, explaining clearly what will happen next, and following through until the risk is removed are not just legal steps, they are the right thing to do. Prevention matters as much as response. The safest outcomes come from pairing immediate clean-up with measures that stop the problem returning, such as fixing defects, improving ventilation and lifting surface temperatures on cold spots. This is not about selling more kit, it is about protecting people and proving that conditions are genuinely better after the work. Tenants deserve a fair, respectful service, and landlords deserve practical guidance that helps them meet the timelines with confidence. Our products are tools to help landlords and tenants meet legal duties, protect health and prevent future harm. That is the purpose of this guidance and of our work at Platinum Chemicals. About Platinum Chemicals Platinum Chemicals supplies evidence-led solutions for condensation, damp and mould, supported by clear advice in plain English. We stock professional mould removers and additives for safe clean-up and redecoration, thin internal insulation systems that lift surface temperatures on cold bridges, and ventilation options such as continuous extract for wet rooms and positive input ventilation for whole-home humidity control where appropriate. We also provide monitoring instruments and practical PPE so landlords can record improvements and work safely. Our approach is simple. Specify what is needed, fix the cause, and leave a clear record that shows the home is safer than before. We help housing teams, private landlords and residents make informed choices that meet Building Regulations and align with the spirit and letter of Awaab’s Law.
