Keeping residents safe in their homes
Everyone deserves to live in a safe, secure home. Awaab's Law sets clear legal requirements for social landlords to investigate and respond to serious hazards in residents' homes within specific timescales.
The law was introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, whose family repeatedly reported concerns about damp and mould in their home. It aims to ensure that serious health and safety risks are addressed quickly and effectively.
What is an emergency hazard?
An emergency hazard is a problem in your home that presents an imminent and significant risk to your health or safety and needs urgent action. Under Awaab's Law, landlords must take steps to make emergency hazards safe within 24 hours of becoming aware of them.
Examples of emergency hazards include:
- Damp and mould
- Excess cold
- Excess heat
- Falls on level
- Falls on stairs
- Falls between levels
- Structural collapse
- Fire and explosions
- Electrical hazards
- Domestic hygiene (including personal hygiene and food safety)
Whether a hazard is considered an emergency will depend on the circumstances, including the condition of the property and the potential risk to residents.
Timescales
- Emergency hazards should be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
- Significant hazards should be investigated within 10 working days.
- A written outcome should be provided to the resident within three working days of the investigation.
- Safety works should be completed within a further five working days where required.
Need to report a concern?
Your local manager, is best placed to help you.
If the problem arises when your manager is not available, such as on a weekend, you can find contact details for an alternative manager on your noticeboard.
In the event of an emergency repair you can contact Appello by pushing your emergency button, pressing your wearable pendant, or call: 0333 3216450