Monitor Awaab's Law Compliance Across Your PRS
Strict timescales for investigating and repairing damp and mould are coming to the private rented sector. RenterCheck helps councils screen for damp risk and monitor landlord response times.
The Awaab Ishak Case
In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his family's social housing flat in Rochdale. His parents had reported the mould repeatedly over several years. The landlord failed to act.
The coroner's ruling led directly to Awaab's Law, first enacted through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 for social housing. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 extends these protections to the private rented sector, where damp and mould affect an estimated 7% of PRS homes.
Councils are responsible for enforcing compliance. This means monitoring thousands of private landlords against strict timescales for the first time.
Required Timescales
Social housing timescales are now live. PRS timescales are subject to consultation but are expected to follow the same framework.
Emergency hazards
Begin remedial action within 24 hours of being notified
Investigation
Investigate within 14 calendar days of tenant report
Non-emergency repairs
Complete repairs within 7 calendar days of investigation
Complex works
Begin works within 7 calendar days, complete within reasonable timeframe, provide written schedule
How RenterCheck Helps
Damp Risk Screening
RenterCheck analyses property characteristics to score damp and mould risk before tenants report problems. Properties scoring in the high-risk category are flagged for proactive engagement with the landlord.
Risk factors assessed:
- Solid wall construction (no cavity insulation)
- Single glazed windows
- Property built before 1945
- EPC rating D or below
- No mechanical ventilation in bathrooms or kitchens
- Flat roof sections
- Basement or ground floor flat
- North-facing primary elevation
Tenant Complaint Tracking
When a tenant reports damp or mould, the clock starts. RenterCheck tracks response times against the required timescales and alerts your team when a landlord is approaching or exceeding the deadline.
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Integration with Tenant Reporting
RenterCheck provides tenant-facing tools that feed structured data directly into your council dashboard. No more unstructured emails or phone calls.
Damp Checker Tool
Tenants answer structured questions about their property to generate a damp risk assessment. The results include severity classification, affected areas, and photographic evidence. This data flows to your dashboard with the complaint clock already running.
Report Issue Tool
Tenants generate formal escalation letters with all required information. The report is sent to the landlord and simultaneously flagged to the council for monitoring. If the landlord fails to respond within the required timescale, the council is automatically notified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Awaab's Law?
Awaab's Law was introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing property in Rochdale. The law, enacted through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and extended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, sets strict timescales for landlords to investigate and repair damp and mould hazards.
Does Awaab's Law apply to private landlords?
Yes. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 extends Awaab's Law principles to the private rented sector. Exact timescales for PRS are subject to consultation, but the government has confirmed that private landlords will face equivalent requirements. Social housing timescales (24 hours for emergencies, 14 days for investigation, 7 days for repairs) are expected to serve as the baseline.
What happens if a landlord fails to comply?
Councils can take enforcement action including improvement notices, prohibition orders, and civil penalties. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, tenants can also apply for rent repayment orders of up to 24 months if a landlord fails to address a hazard. Repeated non-compliance can result in banning orders.
How does RenterCheck help councils monitor compliance?
RenterCheck screens properties for damp risk using EPC data, property age, construction type, and local climate data. When tenants report damp or mould through our reporting tool, the complaint is timestamped and tracked against the required response timescales. Councils can see which landlords are meeting deadlines and which are not.
Can tenants report damp and mould through RenterCheck?
Yes. Tenants can use the RenterCheck damp checker tool to assess their property and submit a structured report. This report includes property data, photos, and a severity assessment. The data flows directly to the council dashboard with response time tracking activated.
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The PRS Database launches late 2026. Be the first to check if your landlord is registered and compliant.
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