At a Glance 

Awaab’s Law Phase 2 2026 extends the framework to several other hazards, so social landlords must respond to reports, assess risks, investigate causes, complete safety work and repairs and maintain clear records. For mould specifically, treatment should be part of remediation, alongside addressing moisture, ventilation and building problems. 

To tackle them, explore and buy professional mould treatment products or contact AMB Hygiene for more details.

What Is Awaab’s Law Phase 2?

Awaab’s Law Phase 2 will come into force on 30 November 2026 and extend the hazards covered by the legal framework for social landlords in England. 

The new requirements will cover significant hazards linked to excessive cold and heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and explosions, electrical hazards and domestic hygiene, including personal hygiene and food safety. 

Damp and mould conditions will remain covered under the existing framework, so an effective damp and mould response remains an important part of Awaab’s Law social housing procedures.

For social landlords, Awaab’s Law Phase 2 will bring several other property issues into a formal hazard response framework. The guidance groups hazards by severity, with different responses for significant and emergency hazards. Maintenance teams need to understand these responses and have clear responsibilities so reports can move from initial assessment to investigation and remedial work without avoidable delays.

Under Awaab’s Law social housing standards, housing providers need processes that connect resident reports with inspection, maintenance, specialist treatment and follow-up work. 

Which Hazards Will Phase 2 Cover?

The Phase 2 framework includes issues linked to the physical condition and use of a home, such as:

• Excess cold and excess heat
• Falls on the level, on stairs and between levels
• Structural collapse
• Fire and explosions
• Electrical hazards
• Domestic and personal hygiene
• Food safety

Some hazards can overlap within the same property. For example, poor ventilation may contribute to condensation and mould, while heating problems can affect indoor and surface temperatures. Housing teams therefore need to consider the property’s overall condition when assessing an individual report. 

The Awaab’s Law social housing guidance also gives landlords a framework for deciding what investigation and remedial action are appropriate for the identified hazard. This helps housing providers manage cases consistently across individual homes and large housing programmes.

Why Hygiene and Mould Still Matter Under Awaab’s Law

Awaab’s Law Phase 2 brings domestic and personal hygiene and food safety into the framework, alongside the existing requirements covering significant damp and mould hazards. This means social landlords need to consider both the condition of the property and hygiene-related risks when assessing reports.

For housing teams, this makes it important to have a clear process for identifying the hazard, assessing its severity and taking the appropriate action within the relevant Awaab’s Law deadlines.

Mould Removal Is Only One Part of the Response 

Cleaning visible mould addresses the affected surface, but you still need to investigate the underlying moisture source. Depending on the property, this may involve checking ventilation, condensation, leaks, heating or building conditions.

Once you identify the cause, suitable cleaning and sanitising treatments can be part of the remediation work. Our Mould Eradication & Preventer Bundle helps with cleaning surface mould and sanitising after cleaning to help prevent mould and mildew regrowth.

What Should Social Landlords Do When a Hygiene or Mould Problem Is Reported?

A consistent response process helps housing teams manage reports within the applicable Awaab’s Law deadlines. The required action depends on the hazard, its severity, the property and the information available. 

Key Awaab’s Law deadlines include:

• Addressing emergency hazards within 24 hours, 
• Investigating significant hazards within 10 working days, 
• Providing a written summary to the tenant within 3 working days of the investigation concluding, 
• Completing relevant safety work within 5 working days, and
• Starting preventative work within 5 working days (or, at most, within 12 weeks). 

If landlords cannot complete the safety work in time, they must arrange suitable alternative accommodation at their expense. 

1. Record the Report

The landlord should record when the problem was reported, where it was found and the information provided by the resident. Photographs can also provide useful evidence when mould has been reported.

2. Assess the Risks

Assess the available information to determine the potential severity of the hazard and the appropriate response. Also consider household information, such as age, health conditions, or disability, as part of the assessment.

3. Investigate the Cause 

Where further assessment is required, the investigation should establish what is causing the problem. For mould, this can include ventilation, moisture sources, leaks and building conditions. This information can also reveal recurring problems across a block. High-rise flats and apartments with similar ventilation or moisture issues may require wider investigation.

4. Treat the Affected Area

Once you identify the required work, clean the affected area using a suitable mould treatment and application method. AMB Hygiene supplies concentrated and ready-to-use mould treatment products, along with mould treatment kits for homeowners and housing associations. Product safety information and application guidance are also available to support appropriate use.

5. Complete Any Required Repairs 

Treatment needs to sit alongside any repairs identified during the investigation. Cleaning cannot resolve a continuing leak, water ingress, ventilation problem or other source of moisture. Where preventative work is required to stop a significant hazard from returning, the landlord must also begin this work within the timeframes set for Awaab’s Law hazards.

6. Record What Was Done

Record the investigation, treatment, repairs and any further work clearly. For significant hazards, the landlord must also give the tenant a written summary of the investigation findings within 3 working days and keep them updated on the work. Clear records give housing teams an audit trail and can help identify recurring issues across properties.

Adhere to Awaab’s Law with AMB Hygiene

Awaab’s Law Phase 2 introduces additional requirements for social landlords, while existing responsibilities for significant damp and mould continue to apply. Housing teams need to investigate problems, complete repairs and treat affected areas.

AMB Hygiene has over 40 years of professional hygiene experience and supplies mould treatment products to councils, housing providers, contractors, commercial properties and customers managing multiple properties. 

Our team can provide technical advice, product information and wholesale or low-volume commercial supply. With Awaab’s Law placing greater emphasis on timely action, AMB Hygiene supports housing teams with professional mould treatment products and practical guidance to help them meet required deadlines.

Shop AMB Hygiene’s professional mould treatment products today. For wholesale and commercial supply for larger housing portfolios, contact AMB Hygiene with your requirements.