Does Awaab's Law apply to private landlords?
By Katie Richardson, Operations Director · Reviewed and maintained by Jigsaw Conferences' Emergency Accommodation & Housing Team
This content is independently researched using official UK Government guidance and recognised housing sector sources. It is reviewed regularly by Jigsaw Conferences' operational housing team and reflects current best practice at the time of publication. It is provided for general information only and should not be considered legal advice.
Quick answer
Not yet. Awaab's Law currently applies to the social rented sector in England. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 gives government the power to extend it to private landlords, but that extension sits in a later phase of the implementation roadmap with no confirmed date — it will follow a public consultation. Private tenants still have protections under existing housing law.
What is the current legal position?
- Legal requirement
The Awaab's Law Regulations (SI 2025/1042) apply to the social rented sector in England — housing association and local authority tenancies.
Source: Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1042)
- Legal requirement
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Royal Assent 27 October 2025) provides for Awaab's Law and the Decent Homes Standard to be extended to the private rented sector.
Source: GOV.UK — Renters' Rights Act 2025 implementation roadmap
- Government guidance
Under the government's implementation roadmap, the PRS extension is a later-phase reform with timescales marked 'to be confirmed', subject to consultation. The first phase of core tenancy reforms commenced on 1 May 2026.
Source: GOV.UK — Renters' Rights Act 2025 implementation roadmap
- Legal requirement
Private tenants already have the right to take landlords to court over homes unfit for human habitation under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, and councils can enforce against serious hazards using the HHSRS.
What should private landlords do now?
Ahead of the extension, the sensible preparation mirrors what social landlords learned in 2025:
- Log every disrepair report with a timestamp — deadlines under any future regime will run from awareness.
- Treat damp and mould reports as priority: investigate promptly, record findings, communicate in writing.
- Fix the cause, not just the symptom — mould washes without addressing ventilation, leaks or insulation invite recurrence and liability.
- Know your temporary accommodation options before you need them: a tenant decanted quickly is a claim contained.
- Watch the GOV.UK consultation — respond to it, and plan compliance before commencement rather than after.
Private rented sector questions answered
When will Awaab's Law apply to private landlords?
No date has been set at our last verification. The extension is a later phase of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 roadmap and will follow a public consultation on how the policy should work in the private sector. Monitor the GOV.UK roadmap for the consultation launch and commencement orders.
What can private tenants do about mould today?
Report it in writing and keep evidence. If the landlord fails to act, contact your council’s environmental health team (which can inspect under the HHSRS and serve enforcement notices), and consider a claim under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Shelter provides free advice.
Will the timescales be the same as the social sector?
That is exactly what the consultation will determine. Government has committed to the principle — enforceable timeframes for serious hazards — but the mechanics for a sector of mostly small landlords are still to be designed. We will update this page when the consultation is published.
Facing a live decant or building compliance capacity?
Our accommodation team places displaced households 24/7 — hotels for tonight, serviced apartments for the repair period, one auditable invoice. Free to the client.
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Published 11 August 2026 · Last updated 11 August 2026 · Legislative statements verified 11 August 2026 against GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk (sources cited inline).