In a written statement, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced the timescales for the implementation of Awaab’s Law – i.e when the specific regulations will take effect.
For social housing, this is:
October 2025 for damp and mould hazards. Also all emergency repairs to be addressed within 24 hours from this point.
At some point in 2026, the requirements will apply to a “wider range of hazards” including “excess cold and excess heat; falls; structural collapse; fire, electrical and explosions; and hygiene hazards.”
At some point in 2027, the requirements will apply to all HHSRS hazards (save for overcrowding).
(Excluding overcrowding makes sense. As I’ve commented here before, it is hard to see what the landlord’s response could be, let alone within a strict timescale.)
For the private sector, once the Renters’ Rights Bill is passed, extending Awaab’s Law to the private sector, there is to be a consultation on the implementation of that, including timescale.
The Govt’s consultation response on the specifics of Awaab’s Law – the timescale within which works are to be commenced, etc. will be released soon, so we will then know what will be in the regulations. However, it is already clear that it will (eventually) apply to all HHSRS hazards apart from overcrowding.
The staggered introduction is doubtless at the urging of social landlords, but it will make life complicated for housing lawyers, no matter for whom they are acting (and also for me in thinking about a potential new edition of Housing Conditions: Tenants’ Rights). Nobody ever thinks of the housing lawyers…