Awaab's Law to cover more hazards from 30 November

Social landlords in Birmingham and across England will have to fix a much wider range of dangerous problems within strict deadlines from 30 November, when the second phase of Awaab's Law comes into force.

What Awaab's Law is

Awaab's Law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died in Rochdale in December 2020 after long-term exposure to mould in the social housing flat where he lived. His family had complained about the mould repeatedly.

The first phase, which began in October 2025, requires social landlords to deal with damp and mould within fixed timescales.

What changes in November

From 30 November 2026, the same deadlines will apply to seven more types of hazard:

• electrical hazards
• falls and trip risks
• fire and explosion risks
• excess cold
• excess heat
• structural collapse and falling elements
• domestic hygiene problems, including pests

The deadlines

Landlords must investigate reported hazards within 10 working days, complete the necessary repairs within five working days of the investigation finishing, and deal with hazards that pose an immediate risk within 24 hours.

A third phase

From October 2027, social landlords will have to address all other significant hazards, apart from overcrowding.

What it means in Birmingham

Birmingham City Council is one of the largest council landlords in the country, with tens of thousands of homes, and the city also has many housing association homes. Both will have to meet the new standards.

How to report a problem

Council tenants can report repairs to Birmingham City Council online or by phone. Housing association tenants should contact their landlord directly. Keep a record of when you reported the problem, and take photographs.

If a landlord does not respond properly, tenants can complain through the landlord's complaints process and then to the Housing Ombudsman.