Regeneration for the next generation: reflections on our Making Places Work event
We reflect on the conversations and insights that emerged at the Making Places Work event.
On 9 January 2024, the Housing Secretary launched a consultation on the proposed Awaab’s Law.
Here, Partner and Joint Head of Housing and Regeneration Josephine Morton and Trainee Solicitor Clara Moir explore the potential legal requirements for social landlords that are in consultation.
What legal requirements are proposed under Awaab’s Law?
The new law would require social landlords in the UK to swiftly address hazards such as damp and mould in order to safeguard tenant health.
Following the tragic case of Awaab Ishak, the new law proposes that landlords:
- investigate hazards within 14 days
- start fixing within a further seven days
- make emergency repairs within 24 hours.
The consultation document defines emergency repairs as those that present a “significant and imminent risk of harm” and include damp, mould, gas leaks, broken boilers and electrical hazards.
What would these requirements mean for social landlords?
Landlords will be expected to keep clear records to demonstrate compliance with the new timescales and keep tenants updated regarding repair timescales. Those who fail to do so can be taken to court where they may be ordered to pay compensation to tenants.
If implemented, this will be the first time that landlords and tenants have seen statutory time limits for completing repairs.
While the additional proposed legal requirements will not be a deviation from the standards and services that many Registered Providers offer to their clients, the potential consequences of not complying with the legislation are likely to place additional pressure on landlords and contractors with limited resources.
Landlords are encouraged to participate in the consultation process
The consultation on the proposed timescales will be open for eight weeks before closing at 11:59pm on 5 March 2024.
The purpose of the consultation is to set the timeframes in which landlords are to investigate and fix reported health hazards.
We would encourage all landlords to participate in the consultation process. Details of how to respond to the consultation can be found at Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector - GOV.UK.
Talk to us
If you are a social housing landlord or Registered Provider, talk to our housing and regeneration team.
Related insights
Shared ownership leases under the Renters' Rights Act — 6 practical considerations for social landlords
We explain the changes under the Renters Rights Act, highlight some of the key pitfalls that landlords need to be aware of and suggest ways to avoid them.
3 key considerations for responsible AI adoption in social housing
We explore the sector’s digital shift, from predictive repairs and income management to tenant engagement and the governance needed for responsible AI use.
Procurement Act 2023 — what the first case means for automatic suspensions
We outline what's changed under the new test and consider what this may mean in practice for both contracting authorities and challengers.
Landlords’ new duty to inform — key changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
We explain the new duty to give tenants required written information, including the official Information Sheet and key terms for new periodic tenancies.
UK procurement reforms: tender strategies, Public Interest Test & social value objectives explained
We outline the key reforms and what contracting authorities and suppliers should be doing to prepare.
What the Government’s latest LGPS consultation means for employers & the social housing sector
We explore what the proposals could mean for administering authorities, participating employers, scheme members and organisations across social housing.
Martyn’s Law — what retailers need to know & how to prepare
We explore the key challenges retailers face with Martyn’s Law, how to balance compliance with operations and the common misconceptions.
Laing O’Rourke v Shepperton Studios — key lessons on payment & pay less notices
We explore what happened in the case, why the notices were treated differently and the key lessons for anyone administering construction contracts.
7 crisis management steps every retailer should have in place to respond efficiently & protect your brand
We set out seven practical steps to help retailers to prepare, respond decisively and recover quickly when the unexpected happens.
Modernising mental health law — key changes under the 2025 Act that social housing providers need to know
We look at the core changes introduced by the Mental Health Act 2025 and outline what they’re likely to mean in practice for social housing providers.
Making Places Work — new study reveals the most improved places in the North of England
Our award-winning regeneration team has launched a new report that uncovers how life and work across the North of England has changed since the millennium.
Key considerations for local authorities navigating the 2026 below-threshold procurement reforms
We explore the new Order that gives local authorities a new ability to shape below-threshold procurement markets in ways that were previously off-limits.
Brabners secures favourable policy construction judgment for Acasta
Our award-winning litigation team has secured a High Court judgment in favour of Acasta European Insurance Company Limited.
The Crime & Policing Bill — what registered providers of social housing need to be aware of
We examine the Crime and Policing Bill's proposals and outline what RPs need to know to prepare for the changes ahead.
Awaab’s Law — what social landlords must build into their development agreements
We explore how statutory duties introduced by Awaab's Law interact with development agreements and what social landlords need to consider going forward.
Procurement Act 2023 — further duties in 2026 that contracting authorities must observe
We explore the upcoming changes introduced by the Procurement Act 2023, when they take effect and what they mean for contracting authorities.
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys — 5 key takeaways for social housing providers (for now)
We explore the implications of Mazur, its unanswered questions and what to watch out for as the appeal progresses.
Christmas markets & public safety — key legal duties for organisers & retailers
We explore safety considerations around Christmas markets and outline practical steps to comply with relevant safety legislation.
Southern Housing v Emmanuel — what landlords need to know about forced access
We explore the judgment and what it means for landlords when tenants refuse access for essential safety checks.
Building Links network rounds up the key construction law cases that have shaped the industry in 2025
We provide an overview of key construction law cases from 2025 and explore the practical implications and emerging trends that are shaping the industry.
Procurement Act 2023 — modification provisions for public contracts explained
We explore how contracting authorities must approach contract variations under the Procurement Act 2023.
English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill — what it means for retail leases
We explore what the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill means in practice and how its reforms may affect both retail tenants and landlords.
Preventable health & safety risks for employers revealed in latest HSE data
We dig into the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)'s annual statistics for 2024/25 and provide four top tips for employers.
New public procurement thresholds for 2026 explained
We explore the new minimum financial thresholds that will apply to public contracts and the application of the Procurement Act 2023 from 1 January 2026.