**Awaab’s Law Takes Effect: New Legal Obligations for Social Housing Landlords on Mould and Damp**
Awaab’s Law has officially taken effect, introducing new legal obligations for social housing landlords in England to swiftly assess and remedy serious cases of mould and damp. Under the new requirements, landlords must begin investigations within ten working days, carry out necessary repairs within five days, and respond within 24 hours if there is an immediate health risk.
The law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing flat. His death sparked nationwide calls for stronger tenant protections and stricter accountability among housing providers.
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### Concerns from AirFresh Mould Removal
Despite the positive intentions behind the legislation, AirFresh Mould Removal has issued a caution. The company warns that while the law sets clear deadlines, it does not mandate that remediation be performed by specialists with the proper skills. This gap risks encouraging rushed or substandard mould treatment, which could worsen health and safety risks rather than alleviate them.
> “Urgency Without Effectiveness Is False Reassurance”
“Awaab’s Law rightly forces landlords to act fast, but speed means nothing if the work isn’t done properly,” says Jo, Director at AirFresh Mould Removal. “We’re already seeing companies calling themselves ‘mould specialists’ with no real training or understanding of the science behind remediation. Urgency without effectiveness is false reassurance. True safety means treating the cause of mould, not just the visible symptoms.”
AirFresh highlights that poorly handled mould remediation can be as dangerous as leaving mould untreated. Improper techniques can spread spores, worsen contamination, or cause respiratory harm through incorrect use of chemicals.
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### Call for Adoption of IICRC S520 Standard
AirFresh is urging the government, housing associations, and local authorities to take further action by embedding the IICRC S520 standard—the global Standard for Professional Mold Remediation—into UK practice guidelines.
The IICRC S520 standard outlines rigorous procedures such as:
– Identifying moisture sources
– Containing contaminated areas
– Using HEPA filtration
– Following personal protective equipment (PPE) and health & safety protocols
– Verifying that affected areas are truly safe before re-occupation
“Painting over mould isn’t remediation, it’s concealment,” says Jo. “The IICRC S520 standard exists to protect health and ensure long-term results. The UK needs to adopt it across social housing and the wider property sector if we’re serious about ending this problem for good.”
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### The Need for Regulation and Certification
Since Awaab’s death, awareness of mould as a significant housing hazard has grown dramatically. However, AirFresh stresses that enforcement must extend beyond meeting response times to include technical performance and verification of remediation work.
The company calls on local authorities and housing providers to carefully vet contractors by checking qualifications, containment procedures, and health & safety compliance before any work begins.
“Right now, there’s no regulation preventing untrained firms from calling themselves ‘mould specialists,’” Jo adds. “That’s a loophole that puts lives at risk. We want to see mandatory training and certification introduced, aligned with recognised international standards.”
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**In summary, while Awaab’s Law represents a crucial step forward in protecting tenants from hazardous living conditions, experts emphasize that true safety depends on combining timely action with professional, effective mould remediation practices.**
https://www.businessmole.com/enforcement-of-awaabs-law-signals-progress-yet-industry-warns-of-competency-gap/