New service launches to help social landlords meet Awaab’s Law obligations

We have launched this new service, in response to rising instances of social landlords facing obstructions when trying to carry out their obligations.

Awaab’s Law, which came into force on October 27th, mandates that social landlords must respond promptly and efficiently to reports of damp, mould, and other emergency hazards.

It establishes clear statutory obligations for housing providers, including stringent response times, investigation procedures, and repair timelines. To comply, landlords must have robust systems in place that ensure timely actions and a clear audit trail.

One of the key obstacles landlords are facing when trying to undertake these duties, is obtaining access to properties to undertake inspections and complete the necessary works.

Siobhan Hardy, Head of Housing Litigation at Forbes, explains: ‘For many landlords we work with, gaining access to premises where there have been reports of damp or mould is proving a real barrier to them executing their duties.’

“In some instances this can arise when tenants refuse access to the property, but in others it may be down to issues like hoarding or condition issues making the specific part of the property being inaccessible.

“Our new service is designed to equip landlords with the tools and expertise needed to overcome these barriers and meet their obligations with confidence and ease.”

 Non-compliance with Awaab’s Law can expose landlords to significant risks, including enforcement action, regulatory scrutiny, and potential legal consequences.

Forbes’ Awaab’s Law Compliance Service enables prompt action at the pre-action stage, followed by a thorough and effective process to secure an injunction for access, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements.

Full details of this, Forbes’ wider disrepair claims and social housing services can be found here.