The government’s impact assessment for extending Awaab’s Law to private rented tenancies forecasts continued growth in England’s private rental sector, rising from 4.827 million households in 2026 to an estimated 5.378 million by 2035. It also notes uncertainty around landlord numbers due to limited recent data, while suggesting sector consolidation may support remediation work at scale.
The government has announced a consultation on extending Awaab’s Law from social housing into the private rented sector, with the aim of imposing strict repair timeframes for serious health and safety hazards such as damp and mould. The article also notes that the Renters Rights Act has already introduced fines for category 1 hazards, and that the consultation will help determine how the new protections will be implemented and when they will take effect.
The article reports support from several advocacy and charity groups for the government’s consultation on extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector. The focus is on faster action to address hazards such as damp and mould, with calls for the measures to be implemented urgently and applied effectively across different types of rented accommodation.
Burnley Council has opened a six-week consultation on proposals to remove permitted development rights for converting single dwellings into small HMOs in six wards. If approved, the change would give the council greater control over HMO numbers and distribution, with implementation currently expected from September 2027.
