Major Changes Coming For The Rental Housing Market

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Kent Business Newsletter
November 06, 2025

Legal experts at Birketts are urging private landlords to start getting ready for new laws on how they investigate and resolve serious issues for their tenants, which have just come into force for social housing providers.

Awaab’s Law, named in memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died following prolonged exposure to mould in his home, introduces strict deadlines for landlords to investigate and resolve serious hazards. From October 2025, emergency issues such as damp and mould must be addressed within 24 hours, with further hazards including excess cold, fire and structural risks phased in by 2027.

Commenting on the legislation, Jonathan Hulley, Partner and Joint Head of Birketts’ Sevenoaks Social Housing team, said: “The government has indicated the rules will eventually extend to the private rented sector. Whilst no firm date is published, the direction of travel is clear, requiring landlords to ensure higher standards of safety, quicker responses to hazards, and providing stronger tenant rights.

“As the private sector is brought under the same or similar obligations as social housing providers, independent landlords will face a step-change in regulatory risk and cost.”

The new legislation may have consequences for the market. If compliance costs get high, some landlords may reduce portfolios or specialise in higher quality stock, and some higher-risk stock might become harder to let or be sold off.

While the reforms have been widely welcomed as a vital step forward for tenant safety, Birketts’ social housing team warns that many landlords may struggle to meet the new requirements without significant operational changes. Structural issues linked to damp and mould often require major works, and not all providers have the resources to respond within the mandated timeframes.

Jonathan Hulley added: “Awaab’s Law rightly places tenant safety at the centre of rented housing. The scale and speed of implementation will be challenging for many providers, and maybe beyond the capabilities of private landlords when the legislation is extended. The risk of non-compliance is real, and landlords must act now to ensure they are ready. This is not just about regulation – it’s about protecting lives.”

To support the sector, Birketts’ social housing team has developed a free practical guide to help landlords navigate the new requirements. The guide, available at www.birketts.co.uk/sector/social-housing/, includes a detailed flowchart outlining each step from hazard report to resolution, with prompts to consider tenant-specific factors such as health vulnerabilities and living conditions. It is designed to help providers meet legal deadlines confidently and consistently, while keeping tenant safety front and centre.

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