Post Awaab's Law

As of 27th October, Awaab’s Law has come into force in the social housing sector in England, marking a significant step forward in housing safety and tenant protection.
At MAXAM, we welcome this change, because it aligns directly with what we’ve been working towards: healthier homes, safer materials, effective solutions.

What is Awaab’s Law, and why it matters

Awaab’s Law, named in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died following prolonged exposure to mould in his home, sets clear legal duties for social housing landlords to investigate and remedy hazards in their properties.  The first phase focuses on emergency hazards and serious damp and mould cases.
In practical terms:

• Social landlords must investigate serious damp and mould hazards within ten working days of notification, and make safe within a further five working days. 

• For emergency hazards (those posing imminent significant risk), the timeframe is much shorter - essentially within 24 hours to begin action. 

• In later phases (2026-27) the law will sweep in many more hazards listed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) including excess cold/heat, electrical, hygiene and structural hazards. 

Where MAXAM already sits in this landscape

We believe in proactive, intelligent solutions, not just reacting when things go wrong. You’ll probably know by now that we’ve already addressed two of the 29 HHSRS hazards: specifically damp & mould growth and the use of biocides (hazardous chemical treatments) via our non-toxic PURA+ mould removal kits.

By offering a safer, two-stage mould treatment system which kills at the root + provides a protective barrier, we’ve committed to reducing the risk to tenants and to avoid introducing further chemical hazards.

Why this matters now more than ever

With the legal framework shifting, landlords, housing managers and contractors will need to step up:

• Tenants are better protected and empowered.

• Response times will be shorter.

• Hazard-prevention is now not just good practice, it’s legal obligation.

• The scope is expanding beyond mould and damp, meaning the chemical or material solutions used must be consistent with safe, compliant practices.

What MAXAM is doing next - intelligent product rollout

We’re excited to announce that we’re preparing a next generation of products designed for the housing repair sector, specifically to help landlords, property managers and their contractors meet the new demands of Awaab’s Law, while putting tenant health and safety centre-stage.
Our commitment includes:

• Building on PURA+ (for mould/damp) and bringing further solutions that address other HHSRS hazards, with focus on low chemical-impact, high effectiveness.

• Inventing repair kits and treatment systems that are easy to deploy, reliable in tough environments (for social housing, private rental and beyond), and designed with operatives and tenants in mind.

• Sharing knowledge and training so that those responsible for housing repairs understand both the hazard side (what can go wrong) and the solution side (what tools and methods work best).

What you can do now, whether you’re a landlord, tenant or contractor

• Landlords / Housing Providers: Review your properties now. Are there signs of damp, mould or other hazards? Do you have response systems ready to meet the timelines required by Awaab’s Law? Use products and methods that are safe, effective, documented.

• Tenants: Keep an eye out. If you detect mould, damp or other safety hazards, report them in writing, keep records. Under Awaab’s Law you now have stronger rights.

• Contractors / Repair Professionals: Be ready with supplies and training. Products like PURA+ are part of the answer, but so is a systemic approach (inspection, drying, remediation, verification).

Final thoughts

The rollout of Awaab’s Law is a landmark moment for housing safety in England. It reflects a sharper focus on hazard prevention, timely response and tenant wellbeing.
At MAXAM, we’re inspired by this shift and committed to supporting it. From our mould-removal solutions to the next wave of intelligent repair products, we’re here to help the housing sector deliver homes that are not just let, but lived in safely and with dignity.
If you’d like to chat about how PURA+ or our upcoming solutions can help you meet the new legal demands and protect tenant health please get in touch.

Email info@maxam.co.uk or call 0131 442 4343 and we'll be glad to help you!