On Monday, the government brought Awaab’s Law into effect. This new regulation mandates that social landlords must address emergency hazards in their properties within 24 hours.
This legislation will be the lasting legacy of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to the mould in his rented home in Rochdale. His family has fought tirelessly to ensure that no one else would have to experience a similar tragedy, due to landlord neglect.
To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of tenants is protected, the law now requires that cases of significant mould and damp be investigated within ten working days. Following an investigation, the landlord is required to send a written report to the tenant within three days of the inspection. Properties are also expected to be made safe within five days of the inspection, or alternative accommodation must be provided if the remedial works cannot be completed in this time.
If landlords do not comply with these new regulations, they risk legal action, which could result in an enforcement order. They could also be required to repay legal costs and further compensation to the tenant for failing to meet housing standard.
Next year, the Government is introducing a new phase of the Awaab’s Law, which will protect tenants from other hazards, including breaches of electrical safety. This will happen in conjunction with new regulation which will come into effect on the 1st of November 2025.
This legislation will require social landlords to organise mandatory electrical tests at least every five years. Landlords must also provide social tenants with a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition report (EICR), either before the tenants occupy the property, or within 28 days of an inspection if they are an existing resident. If any required remedial works arise from the EICR report, the landlord has 28 days to arrange for these works to be completed.
On top of this, any appliances provided by the landlord must be subject to a compulsory electrical PAT test to ensure that they are suitable and safe for continued use in the property. These regulations will be enforced from the 1st of November 2025 for new tenants, and is expected to protect existing tenants from May 2026.
The government has also raised the maximum fine that landlords could pay for electrical safety violations. If the landlord of private or social housing violates these revised regulations, they could be made to pay up to £40k, a significant rise from the previous maximum penalty of £30k.
These laws are designed to protect the safety and wellbeing of tenants, whilst ensuring that landlords are held accountable if their properties do not meet a safe standard of housing. This regulation ultimately makes for a safer living environment, as hazards are now required to be identified and rectified before they escalate. The mandatory five-year electrical tests allow for both the tenant and the landlord to have peace of mind as to the safety and security of the property.
BMS Electrical pride ourselves on delivering a range of electrical testing to meet our client’s needs. We offer comprehensive PAT Testing services to ensure that the electrical appliances you use every day remain safe.
BMS Electrical also offers full inspections and tests to highlight any faults or mandatory repairs. Following this, you will be provided with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) with clear recommendations for electrical improvement. BMS Electrical will carry out the remedial works swiftly to both ensure that your property is safety-compliant and to assure your security and wellbeing.
