Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Acknowledged
Provide clear roadmap and guidance for the remaining phases of Awaab's Law.
Recommendation
Even though social landlords have been anticipating the introduction of Awaab’s Law for some time, the way the Government managed the introduction of Phase 1 unnecessarily added to the uncertainty and complexity providers had to grapple with to ensure they were ready to comply. We are disappointed that the final guidance on Awaab’s Law was published so close to when the regulations came into effect. The Government must learn from this for future phases. Social landlords and tenants need a much clearer roadmap or timeline for when the remaining phases of Awaab’s Law will be introduced, and clarity on when official guidance will be provided. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government responded to its consultation on an updated Decent Homes Standard, designed to meet modern expectations of housing quality and provides certainty to plan and spread costs long-term with a deadline of 2035.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
12. Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law came into force on 27 October 2025, specifying that social landlords must address damp and mould hazards within fixed timescales, and all emergency hazards within 24 hours. We are now undertaking our test and learn approach before extending the requirements to other hazards. We are working closely with stakeholders on next steps and will develop guidance and engagement activity to support them with implementation of phases 2 and 3 of Awaab’s Law. Social landlords must continue to meet existing regulations to remedy disrepair, to keep their homes fit for human habitation and free from the most dangerous health and safety hazards. 13. Guidance to help tenants in social housing understand their rights and the responsibilities of their landlord under Awaab’s Law has been published at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing.
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