Awaab's Law introduces strict legal timeframes for social landlords to respond to reported damp, mould and other serious housing hazards.
Awaab’s Law came into effect in October 2025. It covers significant hazards relating to damp and mould, and all emergency hazards.
In 2026, regulations will be extended to include a wider range of hazards, such as excess cold and heat, falls (for example in baths or between levels), structural collapse, fire, and electrical hazards, and hygiene hazards. In 2027, government will extend the regulations again so that all Housing Health and Safety Rating System hazards will be covered (excluding overcrowding).
What does Awaab’s Law mean for council tenants?
We must deal with emergency hazards and significant damp and mould hazards within set timescales. You need to provide us with as much information as you can about the hazard, and who lives in your home, so we can make an accurate decision.
Emergency hazards
Emergency hazards are issues that pose an immediate and significant risk of harm to your health including:
- dangerous electrical faults
- damaged external doors or windows
- major leaks
- a broken boiler
Significant damp and mould
Significant damp and mould is an issue that poses a significant risk of harm to your health and safety.
When you report a problem, we will assess the issue to decide which route it falls under.
Emergency hazards
We will investigate within 24 hours.
If the issue is confirmed as an emergency:
- we will make your home safe within 24 hours
- we will offer you temporary accommodation if your home can't be made safe within 24 hours
- if required to, we will give you a report of our findings within 3 working days
Significant hazards
We will investigate within 10 working days.
If the issue is confirmed as significant:
- if required to, we will give you a written report of our findings if the work can't be completed within 3 working days
- we will start safety work within 5 working days, provided you allow us access to your home
- if further extensive work is needed, we will always aim to start it within 12 weeks
- we will offer you temporary accommodation if your home can't be made safe
Not covered by Awaab’s Law
We will let you know if the issue does not meet the criteria, and will explain what happens next.
We will keep you updated throughout
You will receive clear communication at each step including:
- what we found
- what we are doing
- when it will be done
How to report a potential hazard
If you are a council tenant, please complete our online report a repair form:
Alternatively you can:
- email repair.requests@chesterfield.gov.uk
- call 0800 587 5659 during office hours or 01246 345041 for out of hours emergencies