Government consults on extending Awaab’s Law to private tenants
Summary
The government has launched a consultation on extending Awaab’s Law to private rented homes, with the aim of imposing legal deadlines for fixing severe damp and mould in the private sector. The proposals could also be expanded in future to temporary accommodation, supported housing and accommodation for care leavers, with the consultation open until 18 December 2026.
Why it matters
This is directly relevant to residential property surveyors because it signals tighter expectations around identifying and reporting serious damp and mould hazards in private rented stock. It may also affect inspection advice, defect reporting and compliance considerations where properties are assessed for habitability and safety.
Key points
- Consultation launched on extending Awaab’s Law to private rentals.
- Private landlords could face legal deadlines to repair severe damp and mould.
- Government says the change could extend protections to around 9 million homes.
- The consultation may also consider temporary accommodation, supported housing and care leavers’ housing.
- The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced fines of up to £7,000 where serious dangers are found.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
