What are tenants’ rights regarding damp and mould?

Tenants can request inspections, report hazards to environmental health, keep records, and take legal action if landlords fail to act.

How does Ecosafe Group support landlords in compliance?

Ecosafe provides rapid, certified damp and mould remediation, air quality monitoring, detailed reporting, and resident communication tools to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Damp and Mould Awareness Week: Building Safer Homes, Brighter Futures

Q: What is Awaab’s Law?

Awaab’s Law enforces fixed timeframes for landlords to repair damp, mould, and other hazards in social housing, aiming to improve tenant health and safety.

Q: Who does Awaab’s Law apply to?

Awaab’s Law initially applies to social landlords such as councils and housing associations, extending later to private landlords under the Renters' Rights Bill.

Q: What are landlords’ legal responsibilities for damp and mould?

Landlords must ensure properties are free from health-hazardous damp and mould, repair structural issues, act promptly on tenant reports, and maintain adequate ventilation.

Q: How quickly must landlords fix damp or mould?

Emergencies require repair within 24 hours, with other health-risk repairs started within 7 days and completed within 12 weeks as mandated by Awaab’s Law.

Q: What happens if landlords don’t comply with Awaab’s Law?

Non-compliance can result in enforcement notices, fines up to £30,000, and possible bans from managing rental properties.

Q: How can landlords prevent damp and mould?

Prevention includes proper ventilation, heating, regular inspections, fixing leaks, improving insulation, and using moisture-resistant materials.

Ecosafe
Oct 22
5 min read

Updated: Oct 23

Across the UK, millions of households are still battling the invisible threat of damp and mould. During Damp and Mould Awareness Week, ran by our partner Aico, Ecosafe Group is championing safer living environments for residents while helping landlords and housing associations meet their new legal obligations under Awaab’s Law.

The Scale of the Problem

Recent government data and housing surveys reveal a crisis that continues to grow despite decades of reform:

Up to 6.5 million UK homes (around 23% of all household) currently suffer from damp or mould.
Damp and mould are most prevalent in older properties and social housing, affecting nearly 4 in 10 residents in council or housing association homes.
The English Housing Survey (2024/25) reports a 17% rise in mould complaints year-on-year, driven by poor ventilation, ageing buildings, and underheating.
The Housing Ombudsman recorded 16,000 complaints relating to damp and mould since 2019, describing the situation as a “national health emergency”.

These figures expose the urgent need for proactive, preventative maintenance and a rapid response culture.

The Health Risks

According to the UK Health Security Agency, exposure to damp and mould can cause asthma, chronic cough, and severe respiratory infections, particularly affecting children and the elderly. The Department for Levelling Up (DLUHC) states that no level of damp or mould is acceptable in housing, reflecting the principles behind Awaab’s Law.

Ecosafe Group’s Rapid Damp and Mould Process

Ecosafe Group has proudly provided its Rapid Damp and Mould Remediation Service to housing associations and councils for over a year, well ahead of the introduction of Awaab’s Law. This proven track record demonstrates our commitment to fast, compliant, and effective damp and mould solutions for social housing providers.

Our experienced team is fully qualified, highly skilled, and versed in regulatory requirements, ensuring every job meets the highest standards of safety and compliance. We understand the complex needs of social housing and council clients and have tailored our processes to provide a seamless, resident-focused service.

Key aspects of our process include:

Rapid mobilisation to attend, survey, and begin remediation within 24 hours, minimising health risks and disruption.
Ecosafe Group operate an out of hours call centre to taker calls from concerned residents with a mould issue in their home.
Out of hours mould remediation service to ensure social housing provider stays compliant with Awaabs Law
Operate a full triage process to ascertain if residents mould issue falls within Emergency, Significant, or outside of Awaabs, reporting all data back to the social housing provider
Our triage process follows the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, ie CAT 1 equals Level 1 or Emergency
Use of advanced diagnostic tools such as air quality monitoring and moisture detection to identify issues accurately and swiftly.
Immediate mould treatment and removal at the first visit to contain and mitigate the problem.
Comprehensive reporting and digital documentation delivered within 24 hours to support landlords’ compliance with Awaab’s Law and housing standards.
Transparent communication and tracking for residents and housing providers through our EcoHomes App, building trust and real-time updates.
Follow-up remedial works aimed at long-term prevention, including advice on ventilation, insulation, and moisture control.

This end-to-end approach, combined with our well-established partnerships with local authorities and housing associations, means Ecosafe Group is uniquely positioned to meet the demands of the new legal landscape. Our team’s professional expertise and commitment to continuous training allow us to adapt quickly to regulatory changes and maintain the highest quality service for vulnerable residents.

Ecosafe’s established process not only addresses immediate health hazards but also supports landlords in maintaining their legal duty of care, helping reduce complaints and enforcement actions under the stricter housing regulations now in force.

This legacy of trusted service underlines Ecosafe Group’s leadership in the damp and mould remediation sector and its role as a vital partner for housing providers navigating the challenges of Awaab’s Law compliance.

"At Ecosafe Group, we understand the critical importance of swift and thorough action to combat damp and mould in housing. With over 30 years of proven success working alongside housing associations and councils, our team combines deep technical expertise with a strong commitment to compliance and resident wellbeing. As Awaab’s Law comes into effect, it is crucial for landlords and housing providers to follow this legislation, not only to meet legal obligations but to protect tenants from serious health risks linked to prolonged damp and mould exposure. Our rapid response process ensures that we not only meet, but exceed statutory requirements, delivering safe, healthy homes and providing peace of mind to landlords and residents alike, keeping housing providers compliant."— Phil Neale, Technical Assets Manager, Ecosafe Group

Awaab’s Law and Landlord Responsibilities

From 27 October 2025, landlords and housing providers across England must comply with new national repair standards under Awaab’s Law. These rules enforce strict repair deadlines:

24 hours to remediate immediate emergency.
If further works required as a result of the emergency, undertake relevant safety work in 5 working days.
If significant hazard investigate within 10 working days
The legislation states physically started works within 12 weeks, however Ecosafe's target is to have works started and completed within 12 weeks or earlier depending on the level of works and complexity.
Collate and send written summary of works to remediate the issue to the resident within 3 working days.
The new regulations apply to all social landlords initially, and will be extended to the private rental sector under the Renters’ Rights Bill by 2027.
Landlords who fail to act face fines of up to £30,000, improvement notices, and potential disqualification from letting property.

Taking Preventative Action

With over 38% of UK homes built before 1946, long-term prevention strategies are key. Regular property inspections, thermal imaging damp checks, and investments in ventilation systems are essential. Ecosafe Group offers both immediate response and preventive maintenance support, keeping properties safe, compliant, and energy-efficient.

Get in Touch

To learn how Ecosafe Group can help your organisation stay compliant, protect residents, and eliminate damp and mould contact our Business Development Manager today on 07444 569017 or email liam@ecosafegroup.co.uk

Together, we’re building safer homes and brighter futures.

Damp and Mould FAQ's

What is Awaab’s Law?

Awaab’s Law ensures that landlords repair and resolve damp, mould, and other safety hazards within fixed timeframes. It was introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak due to prolonged mould exposure in social housing. From 2025 onwards, it applies to all social landlords, and later to private landlords as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Who does Awaab’s Law apply to?

Initially, it applies to local authorities, housing associations, and other registered social landlords. Between 2026 and 2027, it will extend to private landlords under phased implementation.

What are landlords’ legal responsibilities for damp and mould?

Landlords must ensure properties are free from damp and mould that pose health or safety risks. They are responsible for:

Repairing structural and maintenance issues causing damp.
Acting immediately when tenants report moisture or mould.
Maintaining proper ventilation and preventing recurrence.

How quickly must landlords fix damp or mould?

Under Awaab’s Law:

Emergency repairs (including severe mould) must be completed within 24 hours.
Health risks identified under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) must be fixed within 7 to 12 weeks, depending on severity.

What happens if landlords don’t comply with Awaab’s Law?

Councils can issue enforcement notices, impose fines up to £30,000, or prosecute non-compliant landlords. Chronic offenders risk being struck off or banned from managing rental properties.