News from 14 July 2026
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Update, 7 September 2026. This article concerns England’s social housing. Scotland has separate damp-and-mould rules starting on 6 October 2026, including homes within the private-sector Repairing Standard. See the Scotland landlord guide for that different timetable.
The government has set 30 November 2026 as the start of Awaab’s Law Phase 2 for social housing landlords in England. It extends the response-time rules to more serious housing hazards. This announcement concerns social housing; private landlords have their own repair duties.
Which hazards are included?
The announcement covers further serious risks including electrical faults, fire, structural collapse, falls, excess cold or heat, and hygiene problems such as pests. Social landlords should use the government’s Phase 2 guidance and hazards annex for the full scope and timetable.
What about a privately rented home?
Private landlords should continue to meet their existing repair and safety duties. This social-housing announcement does not by itself put every private tenancy on the same response timetable. Scotland has separate damp-and-mould rules starting on 6 October 2026; the update above links to that guide.
