Awaab’s Law sets legal timescales for social landlords in England to investigate and fix hazards in residents’ homes. The first phase came into force on 27 October 2025, covering emergency hazards and damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk. Further hazards are being added in later phases.
The timescales in brief
- Emergency hazards: investigate and make safe within 24 hours.
- Significant hazards: investigate within 10 working days, with a written summary to the resident usually within 3 working days of the investigation ending.
- Safety work: for significant hazards, within 5 working days of the investigation ending.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Check the current government guidance for the full requirements.
Why damp often starts outside
Inside, damp and mould are the symptom. On blocks of flats the cause is often outside and high up: blocked or leaking gutters, failed sealant around windows, cracked render or brickwork, defective flashings and blocked outlets. If the outside is not fixed, the mould comes back.
How rope access helps you meet the deadlines
- Fast to mobilise. No scaffold design, erection or licence, so a team can be at the defect within days.
- Find the cause. We inspect gutters, outlets, sealant and masonry by hand, water test glazing, or survey the whole building by drone first.
- Fix it in the same visit. Clearing, sealing, resealing windows and minor masonry repairs are done from the ropes.
- Evidence. A photo report of what was found and fixed, for your records.
See how we repair roofs, gutters and leaks, replace sealant, or survey a whole facade by drone.
By Ryan Hawkins, Managing Director ·