Research commissioned by the LGA and partners at the National Federation of Almo’s (NFA), Charted Institute of Housing (CIH), Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH), and Councils with Almo’s Group (CWAG) looks at social housing providers preparation for Awaab’s Law and issues of no access.
Awaab’s Law, which was brought in following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020 after being exposed to mould at his home in Rochdale, came into force on Monday 27 October 2025 and requires social housing landlords to comply with new rules to fix dangerous homes and protect tenants.
The LGA believes that everyone has the right to live in a safe, decent, warm, and affordable home, and health hazards should be investigated and fixed in a timely manner.
New research, commissioned by the LGA and partners at the National Federation of Almo’s (NFA), Charted Institute of Housing (CIH), Association of Retained Council Housing (ARCH), and Councils with Almo’s Group (CWAG) has been published, looking at the preparation and implementation challenges for Awaab’s Law and issues of ‘No Access’- the shorthand phrase a landlord traditionally records when a tenant doesn’t give permission or doesn’t respond to reasonable requests for entry to their home.
The ‘Preparing for Awaab’s Law: Progress by Social Housing Providers’ report shows how many providers have been preparing for the implementation of Awaab’s Law and the steps they are taking to address damp and mould in line with the new duties.
The 'Opening the door: Changes to support necessary access to social tenants’ homes’ research shows 60 per cent of landlords see ‘no access’ as a growing concern. Particularly highlighted is the concern around tenant vulnerabilities and the most appropriate way to respond, as well as concerns for delays in safety work, escalating costs, and legal action.
Both reports contain case studies from councils highlighting how they are preparing for and implementing Awaab’s Law, and different approaches taken to the challenge of no access.