1 The End of the "Lifestyle" Excuse
It is entirely unacceptable for social landlords to dismiss damp and mould issues by blaming them on a tenant's "lifestyle choices". Everyday tasks like cooking, bathing, and drying laundry naturally cause condensation, and your landlord cannot use this to avoid their responsibilities.
2 Coming November 2026: Phase 2
Phase 2 of Awaab's Law will come into force on November 30, 2026. This will extend the strict requirements to cover a wider range of significant hazards, including:
- Excess cold & heat
- Fire and explosion risks
- Structural collapse
- Electrical hazards
- Fall hazards
- Domestic hygiene
3 The Renters' Rights Act 2025 & Social Housing
While major tenancy reforms—like the abolition of Section 21 "no-fault" evictions—came into force for private renters on May 1, 2026, these changes do not yet apply to social housing.
For assured tenancies provided by Private Registered Providers (PRPs) of social housing, the new tenancy framework is expected to apply from October 2027. This delay allows the government to align the regulatory framework and Tenure Standard with the new rules.