Government consults on Awaab's Law expansion to cover private renters and temporary accommodation

A government consultation will look at how Awaab’s Law could be introduced for private renters and whether it could be extended to other forms of accommodation.

This could include housing for homeless people and families, accommodation for young people leaving care and supported housing for elderly, disable and vulnerable people.

By expanding this law, which legally requires landlords to fix severe damp and mould issues within a faster deadline, the number of households protected could increase from 4 million to around 9 million.

Phase 1 came into force on 31st October 2025, protecting tenants with fast repairs on severe damp and mould.

Subject to parliamentary approval, phase 2 comes into effect on 30th November 2026, extending the protections to further serious hazards like electrical hazards, excess cold and falls.

The third and final phase will be introduced in 2027, covering all remaining hazards in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System where they present a significant risk of harm, except overcrowding which is addressed differently.

Closing on 18th December 2026, the consultation will help inform how Awaab’s Law is implemented in the private rented sector, including the timescale for these new protections to come into force.

The law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who passed away in December 2020 after being exposed to mould at his home in Rochdale.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “Irrespective of tenure, all renters have the right to live in a safe and decent home and have complaints responded to in a timely manner.

 “Awaab’s Law is already helping to drive up standards in the social housing sector.

“We’re now moving to extend it to private landlords so that England’s 11 million private renters can enjoy the same protections.”

Holly Williamson, chief executive at Generation Rent, said: “Homes are the foundations of our lives. But too many renters live in homes that are harmful to our health and often wait months for landlords to act on issues.

“We’re pleased to see the government moving forward with bringing in Awaab’s Law. It must be put in action as soon as possible to make sure every renter can live in a good quality home.”

Francesca Albanese, director of policy and social change at Crisis welcomed the proposed extension of Awaab’s Law for homeless people living in unsuitable accommodation “which can often be damp, mouldy and harmful to their health”.

Anela Anwar, CEO at Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers, added: “too many young people leaving care have experienced unsuitable and, at times, unsafe accommodation, including homes affected by disrepair and mould.

“We welcome the government’s exploration of options to improve the quality of accommodation available to care leavers, helping to ensure young people have the safe, stable foundation they need as they move into adulthood.”