Introduction

From 27 October 2025, Awaab’s Law will require all social landlords in England to meet strict deadlines for investigating and fixing damp and mould.

To comply, housing associations need clear triage systems, proactive communication, and thorough record-keeping.

This 7-step checklist, based on Government guidance, Housing Ombudsman findings and Project Alix’s Damp & Mould workflow, helps teams meet the law while improving resident wellbeing.

The 7-Step Awaab’s Law Compliance Checklist

Step 1. Capture and Log the Report

Enable residents to report issues easily — via phone, portal or app. Every case should be timestamped, with photos or notes to support triage.

Step 2. Triage the Risk and Understand Tenant Vulnerabilities

Use a structured triage process to decide if the issue is an emergency or significant hazard.
An emergency hazard poses an imminent and significant risk of harm to health or safety.

Escalate when:

• Mould is near sleeping areas or covers > 1 m²

• No heating or extract ventilation is working

• Persistent condensation or dampness despite ventilation

• Black, green or pink mould on ceilings or walls

• A resident reports additional health conditions such as asthma or other respiratory illnesses

At the same time, identify vulnerability factors. Record if a resident discloses health issues, age-related frailty, or mobility concerns. The Ombudsman stresses that recognising vulnerability early ensures appropriate urgency and empathy in response.

Step 3. Categorise and Respond Within Legal Timelines

• Emergency hazard: attend and make safe within 24 hours

• Significant hazard: inspect within 10 days, provide written report within 3 days and make safe within 5 days of inspection

• Out of scope: no further requirements under Awaab’s Law

Accurate categorisation ensures compliance and protects residents from health risks. It also builds resident trust and satisfaction while bringing down repairs backlogs and minimising inefficiencies.

Step 4. Communicate with Residents Clearly

Transparency is central to compliance and trust.
Awaab’s Law stipulates that housing & repair managers send written confirmation of:

• Inspection and repair timeframes

• Assigned contractor or officer

• Contact details for updates

Keep residents informed throughout — including progress, delays, and follow-up visits. Clear communication is also essential evidence of “reasonable endeavours” under the law.

Step 5. Treat the Root Cause — Not Just the Symptoms

Awaab’s Law expects landlords to fix underlying problems, not simply redecorate.
Common causes include:

• Structural leaks or roof defects

• Blocked ventilation or poor air flow

• Cold bridging or insulation gaps

By addressing the underlying problem and understanding detailed resident reports, future repairs can be reduced and risk of repeat reports can be minimised.

Step 6. Verify, Monitor and Follow Up

Keep a full digital audit trail of every action — reports, site visits, contractor notes and post-repair photos. Proof of appropriate follow-up with residents will demonstrate a robust process and evidence of “reasonable endeavours” having been taken in the event of any legal action and potential disrepair fines. For more information on why disrepair fines are increasing, and how to avoid them, read our article here.

Step 7. Report, Review and Improve

Compliance should be monitored at board level.
Governance policies should cover:

• Oversight roles and escalation routes

• Staff training and lessons learned

• Annual reporting and trend analysis

Compliance + Care = Resident Trust

Awaab’s Law represents a shift from reactive repairs to proactive housing health management.
Landlords who combine compliance, technology and empathy will improve both safety and resident satisfaction.

How Project Alix Helps

Project Alix’s AI-Powered Damp & Mould Triage Platform automates the workflow required for Awaab’s Law compliance:

• Enables residents to submit detailed damp & mould reports via WhatsApp, including videos, photos and voice note descriptions

• Triages the cases intelligently using AI which interprets detail from the report in combination with residents existing health conditions and additional housing data

• Automatically manages resident communication, keeping repairs teams and residents updated on the process. Maintains clear timelines to adhere to Awaab’s Law requirements. 

• Generates audit-ready compliance reports to provide robust evidence in the event of legal action

For more information about how Alix’s Damp & Mould Triage Platform can help you manage Awaab’s Law compliance with confidence, book a free consultation here.

Want more information about Awaab’s Law first? Download our comprehensive playbook on Awaab’s Law compliance which includes everything you need to know and how technology can help.