Social housing expert issues message to Leeds tenants over new law

There are over 27,000 social households in Leeds, representing a large chunk of people living in the city.

Now, a new law has drastically changed the social housing sector - but very few social tenants are aware of it.

Awaab’s Law came into effect from October 27 this year.

The law, named after toddler Awaab Ishak who tragically died due to prolonged mould exposure in social housing, introduces strict legal deadlines for landlords to investigate and fix mould and damp hazards.

James Kane, Head of Social Housing at ventilation specialists EnviroVent, shares his expert advice on how the law affects tenants and social landlords in the Leeds area.

He said: “As temperatures drop and homes become more sealed against the cold, the risk of mould and condensation rises sharply.

“When temperatures fall, the air holds less moisture, which then migrates to the coldest parts of the home – condensing on windows and walls and creating ideal conditions for mould.

“Under the new rules that have arrived via Awaab’s Law, social landlords must investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days, provide written investigation findings within three days, and undertake relevant safety work for significant hazards within five days (or 12 weeks for non-urgent issues).

“Emergency hazards, such as severe mould, must be addressed within 24 hours.

“If you’re a resident, please speak with your landlord for advice – especially if your home has recurring issues.”

“If you’re a landlord, consider installing whole-house systems like Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), decentralised mechanical extract ventilation (DMEV), or Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV). These systems tackle condensation and mould at the source and are energy-efficient and low maintenance.”