Awaab's Law extends to seven more hazards from 30 November 2026
Social landlords in England will have to deal with electrical faults, excess cold, fire risks and other hazards to the fixed deadlines that already apply to damp and mould.
The second phase of Awaab's Law will come into force on 30 November 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced. It adds seven more types of hazard to the rules that have required social landlords to fix dangerous damp and mould within set timeframes since 27 October 2025.
The ministry says the regulations for phase 2 were laid in Parliament on Monday 13 July 2026, with new guidance published the same day to help landlords prepare.
What changes for social housing tenants
The seven hazard categories covered by phase 2 are:
- electrical hazards
- falls, including falls on the level, on stairs and between levels
- fire and explosions
- excess cold
- excess heat
- structural collapse and falling elements
- domestic hygiene, which includes pest infestations
Where one of these poses an immediate danger, the landlord must investigate and make the home safe within 24 hours. Where the problem is serious but not immediately dangerous, the announcement says landlords must investigate within 10 working days, send the tenant a written summary of what is wrong and what they will do within 3 working days, and carry out urgent safety work within 5 working days of the investigation. Longer-term repairs must start within 12 weeks.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: "Awaab's Law sends a clear message that tenants' health and safety can never be compromised."
The law is named after Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 aged two after living with damp and mould.
The ministry says a third and final phase will follow in 2027, extending the same duties to all remaining hazards in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System except overcrowding.
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said the guidance "gives housing associations more clarity over the next phase of Awaab's Law and time to prepare for its implementation".
