Clampdown on dangerous homes to protect more tenants and families
The UK government is consulting on extending Awaab’s Law to private renters, mandating faster repairs for hazards like damp and mould to protect over 5 million additional households.
A government consultation has opened to extend Awaab’s Law protections to private renters, following its introduction for social housing last year. The law sets legal deadlines for landlords to address dangerous conditions such as severe damp and mould, which pose serious health risks. Over 5 million private renter households could benefit from these stricter repair timelines, doubling the current 4 million protected under social housing rules. The move aims to ensure all renters, including homeless families and care leavers, can live in safe and decent homes without prolonged exposure to hazards.
Awaab’s Law was introduced in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to dangerous damp and mould in social housing. The law already requires social landlords to act within set deadlines when hazards threaten tenants’ health and safety. Now, the consultation seeks to determine how to implement similar protections for private renters and other accommodation types. The government states that all renters deserve timely responses to complaints and safe living conditions, regardless of tenure.
The Renters’ Rights Act, enacted this year, already empowers private tenants by banning retaliatory evictions and capping excessive rent increases. Landlords failing to address serious hazards already face fines of up to £7,000 under the Act. Awaab’s Law will further enforce quicker repairs for the most dangerous conditions, ensuring no tenant is left waiting months for critical fixes. The consultation, closing on 18 December 2026, will shape how these protections are rolled out across the private rented sector.
Charities like Crisis highlight that one in 10 private rented homes contain category 1 hazards requiring immediate action. They report cases of older renters living with rats and mould due to fear of repercussions, and young care leavers facing unsafe accommodation. The government’s consultation aims to gather public input on extending protections to these vulnerable groups, ensuring the law works for all tenants. The changes align with commitments in the Renters’ Rights Act and the National Plan to End Homelessness to improve housing standards nationwide.