Comparative evaluation of London boroughs responses to Awaab's Law
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Authors
Aicha Penrith
Lucien Begault
Anne Buffardi
Contact
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Issue Date
06-May-26
Type
Conference Abstract
Language
Keywords
Housing
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
Awaab's Law (Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025) came into force on 27 October 2025, requiring social housing landlords to address emergency hazards, including damp and mould, within set time frames.
One of the London Housing Directors' Group's (LHDG) priorities is to support the development of best‑practice operating models for implementing the law. To help progress this priority, as a group of five London boroughs with dedicated research funding, we will work alongside LHDG to strengthen the evidence base across London councils. Together, we will conduct a comparative evaluation documenting how different London boroughs are responding to Awaab's Law. The aim is to share good practices and learning, support cross‑council collaboration, and help achieve better outcomes for tenants.
We will pilot the research approach in selected areas before inviting additional boroughs to participate. Participation would involve identifying a key lead to liaise with the research team, sharing relevant documents, facilitating access to key staff who can describe current practices, and reviewing draft materials.
The following outputs are planned:
- Short case reports for each council in a format that could be shared with the Regulator of Social Housing.
- Resource pack with examples of relevant materials, such as housing policies, process flowcharts, call scripts, vulnerability categories
- Good practice guide/key lines of enquiry report with a cross-borough summary and case examples
- Summary slide deck and accompanying webinar
Objectives: We will share early findings, promote the evaluation and engage participants through an interactive poster with the aim to recruit additional boroughs to join the study.
Evidence needed: When engaging with local authorities we will be asking for information around:
- The processes through which councils are identifying and responding to emergency and damp and mould hazards
- The enabling and hindering factors in damp and mould hazard responses
- Plans to extend processes to cover all Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) hazards.
- What other good practice they know of in this area
Types of collaboration welcome: Local authorities interested in being part of the evaluation and informing the development of best-practice operating models for implementing Awaab's Law.