What is Awaab’s Law?

In October 2025, the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 came into force. The new legislation is also known as Awaab’s Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died after prolonged exposure to mould in his home.

Awaab’s Law sets strict timescales for evaluating and addressing hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), including damp and mould—two of the most common and persistent issues in UK housing stock.

What the new law means for social housing landlords

It requires landlords to investigate and resolve dangerous damp and mould that poses a significant risk to health and safety. The problem must be investigated within 10 working days and then made safe within a further 5 working days. 

These deadlines are intentionally tight. The aim is to prevent the long-term neglect of damp-related issues, which can quickly escalate into structural deterioration, material failure, and occupant health risks.

For specifiers and contractors, this means maintenance solutions—particularly coatings systems—must be efficient, reliable, and engineered to perform in challenging environments. Long-drying products, multi-stage systems or products unsuitable for damp-prone substrates can cause delays that risk non-compliance.

Why damp and mould persist

Damp and mould are common problems in older houses, especially in buildings without modern damp-proof courses or membranes. Moisture can enter a building's structure through rising damp, penetrating damp, or condensation. Once moisture appears, mould can develop quickly.

As a fungus, mould releases spores and volatile compounds into the air, which can be harmful to all occupants and particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups such as children and those with compromised immune systems.

Left untreated, damp and mould can:

Damage plaster, timber, paint films and finishes
Erode the structural integrity of walls and floors
Create unhealthy indoor environments
Require costly, invasive remediation works later on
Lead to legal liability under the new legislation

This makes an accurate diagnosis crucial. Painting over mould, even with a mould-resistant paint, without tackling the underlying moisture first, is pointless. The mould will just grow back, often more quickly than before, and the problem may embed itself deeper into the building structure. If this stage is skipped, any subsequent coating—even the best anti-mould paint —cannot deliver long-term protection.

Prep then paint: a 2-step solution to mould-free walls

Once the root cause has been identified, the first step is to eliminate the mould and prep the surface. This involves removing not just visible mould but also the microscopic organisms embedded in the surface. We recommend using a fungicidal wash, such as Dulux Trade Weathershield Fungicidal Wash, and a mould spray, such as Polycell Mould Remover. Both of these products contain powerful active ingredients that destroy mould at its source, helping to ensure the long-term success of the coating system applied afterwards.

Step 1: Preparation

Good surface preparation is essential to achieving a durable, high-quality finish. So, after mould removal, it’s worth treating the substrate with a stain-blocking primer such as Dulux Trade Aqua Uniprimer, to help prevent residual staining from seeping through the new paint film. It’s worth noting that Dulux Trade Aqua Uniprimer is a multi-functional primer, acting as a primer, sealer, stain block and undercoat in one – maximising efficiency and delivering consistent performance across a range of interior and exterior substrates.

Step 2: Apply a high-performance paint

Once preparation is complete and the surface is fully dry, the topcoat can be applied. For properties at risk of damp and mould, we recommend using fungicidal paints such as Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Matt and Eggshell. Both of these high-performance products contain a special fungicide that inhibits the growth of fungi and mould in buildings. Their antifungal properties make both coatings ideal for most interior walls and ceilings likely to be disfigured by mould. In areas where heavy condensation or splashing water is common, such as kitchens and bathrooms, we recommend using Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Eggshell, which offers enhanced moisture resistance.

Awaab’s Law puts the well-being of social housing residents firmly at its centre. So it’s vital to specify coatings that help protect the health of occupants living in damp, mould-prone spaces. With our highly durable, anti-mould paints available in a wide range of colours, Dulux Trade offers a solution you can specify with confidence.

Why Choose Dulux Trade?

Awaab’s Law prioritizes resident well-being. By specifying Dulux Trade Mouldshield paints, you ensure:

Protection against mould-related health risks
Durable finishes in a wide range of colours

Avoid costly delays and non-compliance—choose coatings engineered for damp-prone environments.