If you work in social housing, you’ve probably heard the phrase Awaab’s Law more times than you can count lately, and for good reason. It’s one of the most significant pieces of housing regulation in recent years, and it’s set to change the way housing associations and landlords respond to hazards in their homes. But while the headlines focus on mould, repairs and safety standards, there’s another side to Awaab’s Law that doesn’t get talked about enough. The people behind the compliance.

At its heart, Awaab’s Law isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about creating safer homes, faster action, and greater accountability. And that all starts with having the right teams in place.

So, what is Awaab’s Law?

Awaab’s Law was introduced after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, caused by prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing property. His story became a catalyst for change across the entire housing sector.

From October 2025, registered providers of social housing will be legally required to investigate and address specific hazards, such as damp and mould, within strict timeframes.

The law will be implemented in phases:

• Phase 1 (2025): Damp, mould, and emergency hazards
• Phase 2 (2026): Hazards including cold, fire safety, and structural risks
• Phase 3 (2027): Wider health and safety hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

Put simply, Awaab’s Law means housing providers must act faster, document more clearly, and prove their compliance. So for many organisations, that means rethinking how teams work,  from front-line repairs to asset management and compliance leadership.

How will Awaab’s Law impact housing associations?

For housing associations and social landlords, Awaab’s Law brings a new level of accountability. It’s no longer enough to show intent, providers must demonstrate that hazards are investigated and resolved within the required timeframes.

Key challenges include:

• Speed of response. Emergency and high-risk hazards must be dealt with quickly
• Evidence and reporting. Every step, from tenant complaint to completed repair, must be properly recorded
• Cross-team collaboration. Asset, repairs, and housing teams must work together more efficiently
• Regulatory pressure. The Regulator of Social Housing and Housing Ombudsman will be monitoring compliance closely

While these new rules may feel daunting at first, they also create an opportunity for the sector to strengthen trust, improve safety standards, and rebuild tenant confidence.

What does Awaab’s Law mean for recruitment?

With the introduction of Awaab’s Law, many housing providers are reviewing their structures and identifying new skill gaps.

We’re seeing increasing demand for people with expertise in compliance, building safety, and tenant engagement, professionals who can not only deliver on the regulation but also embed a culture of accountability.

Roles that will be in higher demand include:

• Asset Managers and Compliance Officers – leading implementation of new safety frameworks
• Repairs Managers and Surveyors – coordinating time-sensitive hazard responses
• Health, Safety and Environmental Specialists – ensuring compliance standards are consistently met
• Housing Managers and Customer Experience Leads – communicating with residents and evidencing compliance

The sector’s focus is moving from reactive fixes to proactive prevention. That shift relies on people, the skilled professionals who understand both regulation and residents’ needs.

Our Assets and Surveying recruitment specialist Kane adds:
“For a lot of our clients, damp and mould has always been there and a focus for the surveyors and maintenance teams, however, now it’s more scrutinised than ever. We’re noticing a huge increase in demand not just for surveyors but for trades and administrators within these teams as well.

From a surveyor’s point of view, clients don’t just require someone who can identify a problem; they need professionals who can analyse it, find the root cause, and stop it happening again in future. There’s now a strong emphasis on surveyors with a qualified background and a deep understanding of HHSRS and building pathology, so it’s our job as recruitment consultants to assess knowledgeable, experienced surveyors from those simply looking to take advantage, as all clients are desperate for support in this area.”

View Kane's LinkedIn profile here.

How does Niyaa People support housing providers?

At Niyaa People, we’ve been recruiting for the social housing sector for over a decade. We understand the pressures housing associations face as they prepare for Awaab’s Law, balancing compliance, resident safety, and operational delivery. Our role goes beyond recruitment. We work closely with housing providers to identify the talent they need to stay compliant, strengthen their teams, and ultimately improve the lives of their residents.

Whether you need interim specialists to drive short-term compliance projects or permanent hires to build long-term capability, our team can help. We focus on finding people who combine technical knowledge with empathy, urgency, and a genuine passion for safer homes.

To wrap it all up.

So, what is Awaab’s Law really about? It’s about ensuring that no family has to live in unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions again. For housing providers, it means acting faster, evidencing every step, and ensuring the right people are in place to deliver on those promises.

At Niyaa People, we’re proud to support housing associations through this change, helping them build stronger, compliant teams that make a tangible difference to communities. Because behind every compliant home, there’s a person making it happen.

Preparing your organisation for Awaab’s Law? Our social housing recruitment specialists can help you find the right people to ensure compliance, safety, and resident trust.

Get in touch with us here, email info@niyaapeople.co.uk or call 0121 773 0966 to speak to our housing experts.