Croydon Council is preparing for Awaab’s Law, which comes into effect on 27th October 2025. The new law gives landlords strict deadlines to fix damp and mould in homes, helping to ensure residents live in safe, healthy conditions.
Awaab’s Law was introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who lived in a damp and mould-infested flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
The legislation gives tenants stronger rights, requiring landlords to act promptly. From 27th October, landlords will have 10 working days to investigate reports, three days to share findings, and five days to make homes safe if there is a serious risk. If repairs cannot be completed within that timeframe, landlords must offer residents suitable temporary accommodation. These rules will be extended to cover other hazards such as fire and electrical safety from 2026, with all remaining hazards included from 2027.
In Croydon, the Council has already been working to raise standards in council homes and improve the way damp and mould issues are managed. A new household risk system has been introduced to ensure the most urgent cases are prioritised, while coordination between the call centre and surveyors has been strengthened to speed up inspections.
A new resident liaison role has been created for complex cases, giving tenants a single point of contact. The Council’s damp and mould policy has also been updated to meet the new rules, clearly setting out responsibilities and providing guidance for residents on reporting problems early and allowing access for inspections. A short video on the Council’s website also offers practical tips on reducing condensation and damp at home.
Improved tracking systems are now in place to monitor cases and intervene quickly if delays occur. In addition, joint inspections are being carried out in blocks where damp and mould have been recurring issues, so these can be prioritised.
All new reports of damp and mould made after 27th October will be handled under the new timescales, while existing repair requests will continue to be followed up and completed.
These measures form part of Croydon’s wider housing transformation plan, which aims to put residents at the centre of decision-making and deliver more affordable, safe, and well-designed homes across the borough.
“Awaab’s Law is an important step forward for housing across the country and here in Croydon. Everybody deserves a safe and healthy home, and no family should have to live with conditions that put their health at risk.
As part of my drive to raise standards in council homes, we are taking action to protect residents from damp and mould, and to make sure that urgent cases are dealt with swiftly and any recurring issues are properly investigated.
By improving how we deal with damp and mould, keeping residents better informed and acting faster on the most urgent cases, we are building a housing service that listens and acts.”
- Jason Perry, Conservative Mayor of Croydon
