Government Launches ‘Awaab’s Law’ Phase One and New Electrical Safety Regulations to Boost Social Housing Health and Safety
Landmark Social Housing Safety Measures Set to Transform Tenant Protections Across England from October 2025
The UK Government has today confirmed the rollout of the first phase of Awaab’s Law alongside strengthened electrical safety requirements for social housing providers. The Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, announced on 25 June 2025, introduce vital new legal duties designed to safeguard tenants from health and safety hazards including damp, mould, and electrical risks.
Effective from 27 October 2025, these regulations apply to all registered social housing landlords across England, marking a crucial step forward in the government’s commitment to improving living conditions in the social rented sector.
Key elements of phase one include strict timeframes for addressing damp and mould hazards:
- Emergency repairs to be investigated and resolved within 24 hours
- Significant hazards investigated within 10 working days
- Tenants to receive a written summary of findings within 3 working days of investigation conclusion
- Properties presenting serious risks must be made safe, with remedial work starting within 5 working days or within 12 weeks at the latest
- Where hazards cannot be immediately addressed, tenants will be rehoused at the landlord’s expense until repairs are complete
In addition, new electrical safety regulations come into effect in November 2025, requiring all social landlords to carry out comprehensive electrical inspections and testing at least every five years, with mandatory follow-up repairs. Official guidance will be published ahead of this deadline to support compliance.
Phases two and three of Awaab’s Law will be introduced in 2026 and 2027, expanding the focus beyond damp and mould to cover other critical health and safety risks under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), excluding overcrowding. This phased approach aims to “test and learn” from early implementation to ensure effective outcomes for tenants.
