Housemark’s most recent monthly pulse survey has revealed a confidence gap in sector readiness ahead of the introduction of wider requirements of Awaab’s Law, with just 4% of social landlords describing themselves as “very prepared” for the expansion.
Whilst 46% of landlords consider themselves somewhat prepared, more than a quarter (27%) are unprepared to some degree, and just 4% describe themselves as very prepared for the next phase of the legislation.
Awaab’s Law phase Two will see the strict timeframes imposed by the law on damp & mould hazards expand to incorporate a range of other hazards within the home, and will come into effect on 30th November 2026. New hazards under the law’s remit include excess cold and heat, fire safety, electrical hazards, falls, structural collapse, and domestic hygiene risks. The timeframes of the law will remain unchanged, with emergency hazards given 24 hours to be investigated and made safe.
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The research also highlights a gap between investment in people and confidence in technology. While 80% of landlords agree they have invested in the skills and capacity needed to deliver Awaab’s Law effectively and 73% believe their processes communicate case details effectively to residents, only 57% agree that their IT systems collect and report Awaab’s Law data effectively.
Jonathan Cox, Chief Data Officer at Housemark, said: “Landlords are taking the requirements of Awaab’s Law seriously, with many investing in the skills and capacity needed to strengthen their response to housing hazards.
“However, confidence remains relatively low when it comes to Phase 2 readiness. Many organisations are still working through what wider compliance will mean in practice and whether they have the systems and reporting capabilities needed to demonstrate compliance consistently.
“Phase 2 may still be on the horizon, but the time to prepare is now. Landlords should be reviewing their processes, testing the effectiveness of their systems and ensuring they have the data, capacity and assurance needed to manage a broader range of hazards. Those foundations will be critical not only for compliance, but for delivering safer homes and better outcomes for residents.”
Other key findings from Housemark’s latest Monthly Pulse include:
- Eighty-two percent of landlords reported resolving more than 90% of emergency hazards within 24 hours in May 2026.
- Seven in 10 landlords (70%) reported investigating more than 90% of significant damp and mould hazards within 10 working days.
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Sixty-four percent of landlords reported initiating more than 90% of significant damp and mould repairs within five working days.
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Full gas safety compliance was reported by 31% of landlords in May 2026, down from 36% in May 2025 and 40% in May 2024.
The findings suggest the sector is making progress in responding to the first phase of Awaab’s Law, but confidence in readiness for future requirements remains significantly lower. Data, systems and reporting capabilities are likely to remain key areas of focus as landlords prepare for the next phase of the legislation.
