A row of modern, two-storey red brick terraced houses with dark brown roofs, white-framed windows, small front canopies, and neat landscaping along a clean paved path.
New Forest District Council (NFDC) is advising their housing tenants about important new legal protections that come into force from 27 October 2025, commonly known as Awaab’s Law.
The new rules require social landlords to act quickly when residents report serious hazards such as damp and mould, excess cold or heat, unsafe electrics, gas supply or other serious hazards, helping to ensure homes are safe and healthy to live in.
Under the law, landlords must investigate reports of damp, mould, or other serious hazards and provide a written summary of findings of the investigation ending.
They must also carry out urgent repairs if there is a risk to health, respond to emergency hazards within 24 hours, and offer alternative accommodation if the hazard cannot be made safe quickly.
The law was introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale, whose respiratory illness was linked to mould in his home. It is designed to put residents’ health and safety first and hold landlords to account.
Cllr Steve Davies, Portfolio Holder for Housing said, “Everyone has the right to live in a safe, healthy home. Awaab’s Law is an important step in making sure hazards like damp and mould are treated with the urgency they deserve.
We welcome this change and want our tenants to know we are committed to acting quickly and keeping them safe in their homes.”
“Since April 2025, the council has attended 19,987 repairs and is investing over £18 million in improving its homes through works like replacement windows and doors, heating replacements and improvements which increase energy performance.”
NFDC encourages tenants to report any problems in their home as soon as possible so that issues can be dealt with quickly and effectively to the Housing Support Hub on 023 8028 5222.
Further advice can be found on New Forest District Council’s website at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/maintenance
