Consultation Launched on Awaab’s Law To Set Timescales For Repairs
On 9th January, the government launched a consultation into Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector.
The new rules will form part of a tenancy agreement, so that tenants can hold landlords to account by law if they fail to tackle hazards.
It is proposed that Awaab’s Law will consider the 29 health and safety hazards set out by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. The consultation proposes that Awaab’s Law will define hazards as those that pose a significant risk to the health or safety of the resident of the dwelling. This means that a hazard does not have to be at category 1 level in order to fall within the scope of Awaab’s Law.
The consultation contains seven proposals:
| Proposal 1. | If a registered provider is made aware of a potential hazard in a social home, they must investigate within 14 calendar days to ascertain if there is a hazard. |
| Proposal 2.
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Within 14 calendar days of being made aware that there is a potential hazard in a social home, the registered provider must provide a written summary of findings to the resident that includes details of any hazard identified and (if applicable) next steps, including an anticipated timeline for repair and a schedule of works. |
| Proposal 3. | If the investigation indicates that a reported hazard poses a significant risk to the health or safety of the resident, the registered provider must begin repair works within 7 calendar days of the written summary being issued. |
| Proposal 4: | The registered provider must satisfactorily complete repair works within a reasonable time period. The resident should be informed of this time period and their needs should be considered. |
| Proposal 5. | The registered provider must action emergency repairs as soon as practicable and, in any event, within 24 hours. |
| Proposal 6. | In the event that the investigation finds a hazard that poses a significant, or a significant and imminent, risk of harm or danger, and the property cannot be made safe within the specified timescales for Awaab’s Law, the registered provider must offer to arrange for the occupant(s) to stay in suitable alternative accommodation until it is safe to return. |
| Proposal 7. | The registered provider will be expected to keep clear records of all attempts to comply with the proposals, including records of all correspondence with the resident(s) and any contractors. If the registered provider makes all reasonable attempts to comply with the timescales but is unable to for reasons genuinely beyond their control, they will be expected to provide a record of the reasons that prevented them from doing so. |
This is an important chance for the social housing sector to provide their input and ensure the timescales and requirements are effective in addressing issues of damp, mould and other health hazards. The consultation closes on 5 March 2024.
If you would like to contribute towards the NHC’s consultation submission, please submit your comments on the proposals by email to karen.brown@northern-consortium.org.uk by 16 February.
