Awaab's Law: Social Landlord Deadlines for Damp, Mould and Emergencies

Awaab's Law covers most people with a social housing tenancy agreement, including council and housing association homes. Supported housing and temporary accommodation: check your paperwork, as a licence agreement may not be covered. Emergency hazards (all types except overcrowding) include gas or carbon monoxide leaks, broken boilers, no water supply, dangerous electrics, major leaks and very serious damp or mould. Significant hazards are currently limited to damp and mould. source

Emergency: investigate and make safe within 24 hours. Significant damp and mould: investigate within 10 working days of being reported and make safe within 5 working days of the investigation finishing. A written summary is due within 3 working days of the investigation finishing. Further work must start, or have plans to start, within 5 working days, and begin within 12 weeks at the latest. A re-investigation in person must happen within 10 working days of your request. Landlords must give at least 24 hours' written notice of access, except in emergencies. source

If the home cannot be made safe within the deadlines the landlord must offer you and your household somewhere else to stay, kept as short as possible, considering your needs, work, school and household. You can accept or refuse, and return home at any time by confirming in writing. source

Report the hazard through the landlord's official channels and keep records, then use the landlord's complaints process. If unhappy with the final response, complain to the Housing Ombudsman (phone 0300 111 3000), which cannot investigate until the internal process is complete. You can also use the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims or take court action for breach of contract: the court can order repairs, compensation and costs, but you may have to pay the landlord's costs if they are not found at fault. source