The Renters’ Rights Act marks a significant change for the private rented sector, introducing new responsibilities for landlords and raising expectations around property standards. One of the most important measures is Awaab’s Law, which is designed to ensure that serious hazards such as damp and mould are addressed within defined timeframes.
Originally introduced in the social housing sector, Awaab’s Law is being extended to privately rented homes, reinforcing the importance of providing safe and well-maintained accommodation for tenants. For landlords, understanding these upcoming requirements will be essential to maintaining compliance, protecting their investment, and delivering a good standard of housing.
In this guide, we explain what Awaab’s Law means for private landlords, when the changes are expected to take effect, and the practical steps you can take to prepare.
What does Awaab’s Law mean for private landlords?
Awaab’s Law will place a greater emphasis on how quickly landlords respond when serious hazards are reported within a property. Its purpose is to ensure that issues which could affect a tenant’s health or safety are investigated and addressed without unnecessary delay.
Under the legislation, landlords will be expected to:
- Arrange prompt inspections when tenants report serious hazards, including damp and mould.
- Complete any necessary remedial works within specified timeframes.
- Maintain clear records of reports, inspections, communications, and repairs. This can help demonstrate that appropriate action has been taken.
- Understand that failure to comply may lead to legal consequences, including the possibility of tenants seeking damages where landlords do not act as required.
For many landlords, these requirements will reinforce practices that are already considered good property management. Regular inspections, swift responses to maintenance concerns, and open communication with tenants can help identify problems before they become more serious.
Damp and mould are often complex issues with multiple contributing factors. While some cases may be linked to building defects, others can be influenced by heating, ventilation, or condensation. The key point for landlords is that concerns should be investigated thoroughly rather than dismissed, ensuring the underlying cause is properly identified and resolved.
For landlords who use a professional property management service, it is worth reviewing existing processes to ensure maintenance reports, contractor instructions, and repair records are documented clearly. For those managing properties themselves, establishing a structured approach now can help make compliance easier once the legislation comes into force.
When will it be enforced?
Although the Renters’ Rights Act became law on 27th October 2025, implementation is being phased from 1st May 2026, including the introduction of Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, giving landlords time to review their properties, processes, and compliance arrangements.
Current government plans indicate that Awaab’s Law is expected to come into effect from October 2026 for the private rented sector but this is not yet confirmed.
While that may seem some time away, landlords can benefit from preparing early. Taking a proactive approach now can help reduce the risk of future compliance issues and ensure properties are maintained to a high standard.
Key areas to review include:
- Existing inspection and maintenance procedures.
- How tenant-reported issues are logged and monitored.
- Response times for investigating damp, mould, and other serious hazards.
- Relationships with contractors and repair specialists.
- Record keeping and documentation processes.
Landlords with larger portfolios may wish to assess properties that have experienced recurring maintenance issues, particularly where damp, condensation, ventilation, or structural defects have previously been identified. Early intervention can often prevent minor concerns from developing into more significant problems.
As further implementation details and guidance become available, landlords should keep informed to ensure they understand any specific obligations, deadlines, and reporting requirements associated with the legislation.
