Awaab’s Law: Our commitment to safe homes 

Posted on 27 October 2025

Awaab’s Law comes into force today, 27 October 2025, marking a significant turning point in tenant protection. Named after a 2020 case that brought national attention to dangerous housing conditions and demanded change, the legislation sets legal timeframes for landlords to investigate and fix reported health hazards. The law affirms that safe housing is not a privilege, but a right. 

Building on strong foundations 

At Southdown, we believe safe homes are the foundation for stable lives. Everyone deserves to live in a home that is healthy, safe and secure, and we take that responsibility seriously. 

We introduced our damp and mould procedure in April 2023 which are now embedded in our processes. To meet the timescales required by Awaab’s Law, we’ve made further improvements and now have workflows built into our housing management system that automatically set the correct timescales, record actions taken, and assign work to the right people at the right time. 

Jayne Atkins, Manager Housing Services, shares: “Awaab’s story reminds us why our work matters. This has always been about more than meeting legal requirements. It’s about listening when concerns are raised and acting quickly and effectively. Every tenant deserves to feel safe in their home, and we’re committed to making sure they do.” 

Over the past few weeks, all of our property services and housing staff attended training sessions on Awaab’s Law. The sessions equipped teams to recognise and report hazards during property visits, use the new assessment workflows correctly, and understand their responsibilities under the new legislation. 

A wider safety net 

Awaab’s Law doesn’t just cover damp and mould. It also addresses 27 other Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) hazards, including risks of trips and falls, excess cold or heat, and electrical hazards.  

When a hazard is reported, our team assesses it and classifies it as either Emergency or Significant. Because some health conditions may require a faster or tailored response, tenants may be asked questions about their health during the reporting process. This helps us prioritise appropriately and keep people safe. Our contractors have also been trained to identify potential hazards during visits and may ask similar questions for the same reason. 

The new rules will form part of tenancy agreements, meaning tenants can hold landlords to account by law if they fail to provide a decent home. But beyond compliance, at the heart of Awaab’s Law is a simple truth: no one should suffer harm in the place they call home. A home is more than a building. It should be a safe place. 

Southdown is committed to making that a reality for every tenant of ours. 
 
Learn more about how we are implementing Awaab’s Law:

Read Southdown’s response to coroner’s verdict on Awaab’s case in 2022: