Government sets date for rollout of second phase of Awaab's Law

The list of seven dangers landlords will have to fix within a set timeframe under phase 2 will be extended to include electrical faults, excess cold and heat, pest infestations and unsafe stairs.

Where such hazards pose an immediate danger to social housing tenants, they must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that if any of these problems are serious but not immediately dangerous, landlords must still act quickly.

Social housing landlords will have to:

• Investigate within 10 working days
• Tell tenants what is wrong and what they will do within 3 working days in a written summary
• Carry out urgent safety work within 5 working days of the investigation, meaning homes will be made safe within 15 days or less
• Start longer-term repairs within 12 weeks.

Since 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law has required social housing landlords to fix dangerous damp and mould to these firm timeframes.

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.”

The Government has published a range of documents as part of the announcement, including non-statutory guidance for social landlords to support implementation of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law as well as The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, as they apply from 30 November 2026.

The Government still plans to introduce the third and final phase of Awaab’s Law in 2027, which will extend the same timeframes to all remaining hazards in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, except overcrowding.

Gavin Smart, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing,  said: “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.”

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “The safety of homes is housing associations’ top priority.

“We welcome the publication of this guidance, which gives housing associations more clarity over the next phase of Awaab’s Law and time to prepare for its implementation.

“We and our members have engaged with the government throughout the development of Awaab’s Law to ensure it achieves the best outcomes for residents and is deliverable for housing associations, and we will continue to work with the government on these important measures.”

Harry Rodd