Croydon prepares for Awaab’s Law addressing damp and mould

Croydon Council is preparing for Awaab's Law, which comes into effect on 27 October 2025. The new law gives landlords strict deadlines to fix damp and mould in homes and will help to protect residents.

Awaab's Law was introduced after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who lived in a damp and mouldy flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

It will give residents stronger rights, meaning landlords must act quickly. From 27 October, landlords will have 10 working days to investigate reports, three days to share the findings, and five days to make homes safe if there is a serious risk. If repairs cannot be done in time, landlords must provide residents with safe temporary housing. The rules will be extended to cover other hazards, such as fire and electrical safety from 2026, with all remaining hazards included from 2027.

As part of Croydon's ongoing drive to raise standards in council homes, the Council has taken action to protect residents from damp and mould and make sure these issues are tackled as quickly as possible. A new household risk system has been introduced to make sure urgent cases are dealt with first. The Council has also strengthened the way the call centre and surveyors work together, so inspections can be booked faster.

For more complex cases, a new resident liaison role has been created so residents have a single point of contact. The Council's damp and mould policy has been updated to meet the new rules. It explains the Council's responsibilities and gives residents clear guidance, like reporting problems early and allowing access for inspections. There is also a short video on the Council's website with practical advice on reducing condensation and damp at home.

New tracking systems are now in place so the Council can monitor cases more clearly and step in quickly if repairs are delayed. At the same time, joint inspections are being carried out in blocks where damp and mould have been a recurring problem, so these can be prioritised.

All new reports of damp and mould after 27 October will be managed under the new timescales. Any repairs already raised will still be followed up and completed.

These changes are part of Croydon's wider housing transformation plan, which puts residents at the heart of decisions and support the Executive Mayor's priority to provide more affordable, safe and well designed homes for Croydon.

"Awaab's Law is an important step forward for housing across the country and here in Croydon. Everybody deserves a safe and healthy home, and no family should have to live with conditions that put their health at risk.

"As part of my drive to raise standards in council homes, we are taking action to protect residents from damp and mould, and to make sure that urgent cases are dealt with swiftly and any recurring issues are properly investigated.

"By improving how we deal with damp and mould, keeping residents better informed and acting faster on the most urgent cases, we are building a housing service that listens and acts."

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon