Introduction

Awaab’s Law has been operating since October and Landlords have some experience of complying with its requirements in relation to damp and mould. As the sector adapts to these new requirements, the NHMF wants to help the sector review experience to assess whether costs for damp and mould and repairs have been affected by these new requirements. This would be an opportunity for landlords and their service providers to review the different approaches adopted, to consider how effective each approach is and their cost implications.

There is a Plenary at the NHMF Conference on Awaab’s Law, in which Nadhia Khan will share what Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has learnt from this tragedy and how they have changed their service to customers. The Housing Ombudsman will illustrate how the sector has improved its performance and highlight areas that still need to be addressed.

The NHMF has also published a Q&A briefing on Awaab’s Law.

To help review these repair costs, one of the NHMF’s Service Provider Forum members is running a survey (details below).

Survey

This Healthy Homes Check 2025 survey is designed to capture social housing providers views on damp and mould and repairs, following the implementation of Awaab’s law. Repair costs were at a record high - up 55% from 2020 to 2024 to £8.8bn.

• Is this unsustainable for the sector?
• If the sector took a more proactive and planned approach to housing maintenance, could both the impact on residents and the cost to landlords be reduced?

Landlords and their Service Providers are encouraged to take part in this survey, ideally before the 2026 NHMF Conference but by 31 January 2026 at the latest.

What will happen to the results?

Results will be published in a report and presented at a Parliamentary Reception in March. The results will be used to raise awareness of the costs and the ongoing issues of reactive approaches to damp and mould, and to provide useful advice and case studies highlighting the benefits of a proactive approach.

How will members benefit?

Those participating will be sent a copy of the report if requested to help raise awareness and build the case internally for investing in proactive maintenance.

The NHMF and its Service Provider Forum will share examples of best practice with their members, and will consider organising a dedicated session on best practice / innovation for damp and mould cases as part of their 2026 programme. This could also be repeated at Regional events.