Millions of tenants safer from black mould under Awaab’s Law:

Millions of tenants across England are now better protected from dangerous damp and black mould under Awaab’s Law – and indoor air quality specialists are urging landlords not to wait until complaints escalate before acting.

Radon Protection UK, a Northamptonshire-based Radon Gas and ventilation specialist, is calling on social landlords, housing associations and councils to use the new law as a catalyst to tackle the root causes of damp, mould and poor air quality, rather than relying on short-term cosmetic fixes.

Awaab’s Law was introduced after the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing flat. His family had repeatedly raised concerns about damp and mould, but meaningful action was not taken in time. The public outcry that followed led to new, enforceable duties on social landlords to investigate and repair hazards within strict timescales.

Under the new regime, social landlords in England must assess serious hazards – including significant damp and mould – within a set number of days after they are reported, and then complete works within further fixed deadlines. These obligations are written into social housing tenancy agreements, giving tenants clearer rights to challenge landlords who fail to act and to escalate complaints to the Housing Ombudsman or the courts if necessary.

The law is being phased in, initially focusing on the most serious health and safety issues such as damp and mould, with additional categories of hazard being brought in over time. The aim is to end the culture of “managed neglect” where dangerous conditions are allowed to drag on for months or years.

Sarah Clarke, Radon Protection UK’s director warns “simply washing off black mould or repainting walls will not be enough to meet expectations under Awaab’s Law. Landlords will be expected to show they have identified and addressed underlying causes such as chronic condensation, inadequate ventilation, structural defects or hidden air quality risks like radon gas.”

Alongside national radon testing and mitigation services, Radon Protection UK supplies and installs Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems for homes affected by condensation-related damp and mould. PIV units work by gently pushing filtered, drier air into the property from a central location, diluting humidity and pollutants while expelling stale, moisture-laden air. This helps to prevent the recurring black mould growth that blights so many kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, particularly in smaller or poorly ventilated flats.

The company already supports housing providers across the UK with radon surveys, mitigation systems and PIV installations, including in properties occupied by vulnerable tenants. It argues that investing in preventative measures like ventilation and radon control reduces complaints, repeat call-outs and legal exposure, while providing a healthier, more stable environment for residents.

Clarke also points out “radon is naturally occurring radioactive gas which is recognised as a housing hazard. Landlords have a duty of care where elevated levels are present. Long-term exposure to high radon levels increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly for smokers, and must be considered alongside damp and mould in any serious housing health strategy.”

The company is urging social landlords, housing associations and councils to review their policies, survey their stock, and build proactive air quality management into compliance plans for Awaab’s Law. It recommends combining responsive repairs with targeted programmes of radon testing, ventilation upgrades and, where necessary, specialist mitigation works.

Tenants living with damp and mould are encouraged to report problems early, keep written records and photographs, and ask their landlord what steps are being taken under Awaab’s Law. Where concerns are not addressed, residents can seek advice from organisations such as the Housing Ombudsman, local authorities and housing charities.

For housing providers seeking technical support, Radon Protection UK offers radon and ventilation surveys, system design and installation, and expert commentary on indoor air quality and housing health.