Following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak – who passed away in 2020 due to respiratory issues following prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing flat – the government introduce Awaab’s Law, with the objective of tightening restrictions around potentially hazardous conditions within housing stock.
We explain the implications of Awaab’s Law and how this will impact the obligations of contracting authorities – as well as what this means for public sector suppliers.
Awaab’s Law explained
Awaab’s family had previously reported issues around damp and mould to their social housing provider in 2017, but their reports were dismissed by the association.
The month Awaab passed away, an independent surveyor had declared the home as ‘unfit for human habitation’ without serious repairs being undertaken. Furthermore, visiting healthcare professionals had previously raised concerns around damp and mould in the property, which were also dismissed.
Subsequently, the Housing Ombudsman carried out a further investigation and report which found numerous service failures and residents being treated in ‘dismissive, inappropriate or unsympathetic ways’.
In light of the above and a petition from the family, Awaab’s Law was originally introduced as part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act under Section 42 – to cover:
‘… Remedying of hazards occurring in dwellings let on relevant social housing leases.’
Social housing providers will have to address all emergency hazards (including damp and mould) which present ‘significant harm’ to tenants within certain timeframes. This will be extended to all Housing Health and Safety Rating System hazards by 2027.
How will this affect social housing providers?
Starting from 27 October 2025, local councils and housing associations will be subject to more stringent requirements around remediation of damp and mould within certain time limits. This comprises:
|
Requirement |
Action | Timescale |
| Emergency hazard: investigations and remediation | Investigation of potential emergency hazards and, if confirmed, undertaking relevant safety work and remediation. | 24 hours of awareness |
| Significant hazard: investigation or survey | A property investigation of potentially significant hazards raised. | 10 working days of awareness |
| Significant hazard: written reports | Producing a written summary of investigation findings, provided to the tenant. | 3 working days of the investigation or survey |
| Significant hazard: remediation | Undertaking remedials and other relevant safety work following the investigation or survey. | 5 working days of the investigation or survey being concluded |
| Further required works | Any other works stemming from the investigation, survey or written reports. | 5 working days where practicable |
Awaab’s Law – Process Flow (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Many authorities, such as Newcastle City Council, have already undertaken robust activity to prepare for the law coming into force – proactively ensuring compliance with the legislation.
Damp and mould remediation tenders following Awaab’s Law
Across both the private and public sectors, landlords are required to take a ‘proactive approach’ to reduce the risk of critical health and safety issues within the property – such as fire safety and security, gas and electrical checks, and damp and mould.
The UK’s housing stock does have a persistent issue with damp and mould, due to the median age of properties as well as a wet, cold climate. 7% of socially rented homes had a damp problem, with 4% rated at the highest ‘category 1’ level of danger. Year-on-year increases to complaints in damp and mould continue to rise, leading to a corresponding increase in damp and mould remediation tenders for councils and housing associations.
Responses and method statements which form the quality element of the tender often cover the following themes and topics:
- Resourcing and responsiveness: With strict timescales to meet, it is likely damp and mould tenders will include a question around how you will resource and respond to emergency hazards. To evidence this, consider highlighting the strength of resource, proximity to housing stock and vehicle telematics to further shorten response times to call-outs.
- Health and safety: Naturally, housing associations and local councils will expect a framework of measures in place to ensure the health and safety of operatives, tenants and other stakeholders whilst works are taking place.
- Reporting: Following investigations and surveys, reports must be of a sufficiently high quality and level of detail, in addition to meeting the required timescales. Software used to produce reports would be beneficial to mention within a response around reporting, in addition to measures for auditing reports to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Performance measurement: With KPIs mandated by public legislation, authorities will be interested in how performance is benchmarked, monitored and measured – ensuring compliance and facilitating continuous improvement.
Other topics could include experience (via contract examples or similar), contract mobilisation/implementation and social value.
Support with damp and mould tender writing
Since 2009, Executive Compass’ expert bid and tender writers have supported with thousands of housing association tenders, playing our part in ensuring safer, higher quality social housing for millions of UK residents.
To discuss how we can support you with bidding for a damp and mould contract, contact one of our team at info@executivecompass.co.uk or 0800 612 5563 for a free, no-obligation quotation or a 30-minute bid consultation.