Not yet. Awaab's Law currently applies only to social landlords in England: housing associations and local authorities letting social homes. The government has committed to extending it to the private rented sector, but it has not set a date.
This is general guidance, not legal advice, and it reflects the position as of the date at the top of this page.
Where Things Stand
The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, which are Awaab's Law, apply to registered providers of social housing. GOV.UK's guidance states that it refers specifically to the social rented sector.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 gives the government the power to apply Awaab's Law to private rented homes. The government's roadmap for implementing the Act puts the extension of Awaab's Law, together with a new Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector, in a later phase, and says it will consult on the details, including the timescales, first.
So for private landlords today there are no Awaab's Law deadlines. That will change, and the details are not yet known.
What Private Landlords Must Already Do
Awaab's Law not applying does not mean damp and mould can wait. Private landlords already have obligations, including:
- The repairing obligations in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
- The requirement that a home is fit for human habitation, under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
- Enforcement by local councils using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which can lead to improvement notices and fines
What Is Likely to Change
The details will come from the consultation. If the extension follows the social housing model, private landlords can expect:
- Fixed deadlines to investigate hazards once they are aware of them
- A written summary of findings for the tenant
- Fixed deadlines to make the home safe
- Alternative accommodation where it cannot be made safe in time
- Tenants able to enforce the deadlines
The social housing rules are explained in Awaab's Law: the complete guide, and the deadlines in Awaab's Law timescales explained. Neither applies to private landlords yet.
Getting Ready Anyway
The habits that Awaab's Law requires of social landlords are good practice for any landlord or letting agent, and they cost little to adopt now:
- Record the date and source of every report of damp, mould or another hazard
- Inspect every room, not just the one reported, and photograph what you find
- Record who inspected, when, what they found and what they recommended
- Tell the tenant in writing what you found and what you will do
- Keep evidence of the finished work
A dated, room by room record of what was found and done protects a landlord in any dispute, whether or not Awaab's Law applies. SiteSurvey's property inventory app and damp and mould inspection app are built for that kind of record.
