Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025
The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 introduce new statutory requirements aimed at improving safety and living conditions for tenants in social housing across England. These regulations set out specific duties for social landlords to identify, manage, and mitigate hazards within their properties.
This is also known as Awaab’s Law in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in December 2020 from a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social housing flat in Rochdale.
What the Regulations Cover
The regulations apply to all registered providers of social housing in England, including local authorities and housing associations. They are designed to ensure a consistent approach to hazard management and tenant safety across the sector.
Key Requirements
The Regulations define what is meant by ‘significant hazard’ and ‘emergency hazard’:
- A significant hazard is a damp, mould, fungal growth hazard that affects a social home and which poses a risk of harm to the health or safety of its occupier. It is reasonable to take urgent steps.
- An emergency hazard is any hazard (other than an overcrowding hazard) such exposed live electrical wiring or dangerous gas leaks that affects a social home and poses a risk of harm to the health or safety of its occupier. Steps should be taken within 24 hours.
Enforcement and Compliance
All social landlords will have to investigate and remediate prescribed hazards in social homes, and if they do not, their tenants can hold them to account by taking legal action through the courts for breach of contract.
Implications for Landlords and Tenants
- Landlords are required to take a more systematic and transparent approach to managing property hazards, with increased emphasis on documentation and tenant engagement
- Tenants gain greater protection and information regarding hazards in their homes, as well as clearer avenues for raising concerns or complaints
COO Phil Jones Comments:
“The Regulations bring transformative benefits by mandating that social landlords investigate and resolve serious hazards within strict timeframes. This ensures faster remediation of risks that pose imminent harm to tenants’ health and safety.”
Are you concerned with how to meet new compliance regulations and managing risk in your properties? Discuss your needs with us today.
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