Private renters in England could soon get stronger legal protections against dangerous damp, mould, and other serious housing hazards.
What Happened
On 8 October 2026, the UK government announced plans to extend protections for private renters, similar to those already in place for social housing.
The move follows a consultation launched on 9 October 2026, inviting public input on how quickly landlords should respond to serious housing problems.
Key Facts
- More than five million households could benefit from new repair deadlines.
- The consultation runs until 18 December 2026.
- Proposed deadlines range from 5 to 15 working days for investigations, and 3 to 10 days for making hazards safe.
- Emergency hazards would need to be investigated and made safe within 12 to 48 hours.
- Landlords would be required to provide written details of problems and planned actions.
- Temporary accommodation may be considered if repairs cannot be completed in time.
How It Works
The proposals aim to apply similar rules to private landlords as those already in force for social housing and housing associations.
Under current Awaab’s Law, social landlords must investigate serious damp or mould within 10 working days and make homes safe within five days after an investigation.
Emergency hazards must be addressed within 24 hours.
What Problems Could Be Covered?
The government is considering covering a range of serious hazards, including:
- Dangerously cold or hot homes
- Unsafe electrical wiring and fire risks
- Dangerous stairs and fall risks
- Structural issues like unsafe walls or ceilings
- Severe hygiene problems, including pest infestations
- Water supply issues with health risks
Overcrowding is not included. The focus remains on problems that pose a significant risk to health or safety.
When Will the Rules Start?
There is no confirmed start date. The earliest possible year is 2027, but the government is considering 2028 or 2029.
Initial rules may begin with damp and mould and emergency hazards, with broader rules introduced later.
What Can Renters Do Now?
Private renters do not need to wait for new rules to take effect to act.
Landlords already have legal duties to maintain properties and fix serious issues like leaking roofs, broken pipes, or structural damp.
- Tell your landlord in writing about the problem, including when it started and health impacts.
- Take photographs and save all communications.
- Ask for an inspection and repairs — cleaning mould alone may not solve the issue.
- If the landlord fails to act or the hazard is serious, contact your local council.
- Get advice from Shelter, which offers free guidance on dealing with damp and mould.
If health is affected, make this clear when reporting the issue and seek medical advice.
Do not stop paying rent or deduct costs without proper advice.
Background: Awaab’s Law
The law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social rented home.
His parents had repeatedly raised concerns, leading to a campaign for faster action by landlords.
Awaab’s Law began in October 2025 and applies to social housing. This consultation aims to extend it to private renters.
How to Have Your Say
Anyone — including private renters, landlords, or the public — can respond to the consultation.
Responses can be submitted online or by email to awaabslawconsultation@communities.gov.uk.
The deadline is 11.59pm on Friday 18 December 2026.
It is important to note: this consultation is for shaping rules, not for reporting individual repair issues.
If your home is unsafe, contact your landlord and seek help from your local council immediately.
For more information on private renting rights and how to act when problems arise, see Skint Dad’s guide on Awaab’s Law.
The proposals are part of wider changes to renting in England, including the 2025 Renters’ Rights Act.
Sources & further reading
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