From 30 November, electrical hazards in social homes in England fall under Awaab’s Law’s fixed repair deadlines. Here’s what electricians and contractors working in social housing need to know
What is Awaab’s Law?
Awaab’s Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his social home. It requires social landlords in England to investigate and repair emergency and significant hazards within set timeframes, and Phase 1 began on 27 October 2025, covering emergency hazards and significant damp and mould. Phase 2 widens it. Here’s what that means for the electrical trade:
1. Electrical hazards are now in scope
From 30 November 2026, Awaab’s Law extends to excess cold, excess heat, falls, structural collapse, fire and explosions, electrical hazards and domestic hygiene, where they present a significant risk of harm. Emergency hazards of any type, apart from overcrowding, are already covered, so something like exposed wiring has been in scope since Phase 1.
2. The timescales are tight
Landlords must investigate and make emergency hazards safe within 24 hours and investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days. They must give tenants a written summary within three working days of the investigation ending, complete safety work within five working days of it ending, and begin preventative work within five working days, or within 12 weeks at the latest if it can’t start sooner. Tenants can take legal action for breach of contract if their landlord fails to comply.
3. What counts as an electrical hazard
The guidance covers unsafe installations and fixed equipment, including defective sockets, switches, consumer units and light fittings. It gives exposed live parts and damaged socket-outlets as examples of emergency hazards, and deteriorated installations needing remedial work as significant ones. EICR codes can help triage, but they aren’t the test. The guidance’s own example is a pregnant tenant with a toddler, where an EICR with several C3 observations, no surge protection and an older consumer unit still counts as a significant hazard. A C3 on a consumer unit with no vulnerability involved is out of scope. Appliances that aren’t part of the building are out of scope.
4. Competence and speed will be tested
Landlords must ensure investigations are carried out by someone competent, and electrical hazards should be investigated and remedied by a qualified and competent electrician. Landlords remain responsible for their contractors and are advised to review contracts to make sure they match the new obligations. In practice, expect landlords to ask for faster response times; prompt information for tenant summaries; and reports of any other hazards you spot on site.
5. It’s England and social housing only, for now
Awaab’s Law applies only in England, and Phase 2 covers social landlords, not private ones. The Renters’ Rights Act gives the government the power to extend it to private landlords, but that needs separate regulations and there is no confirmed start date. A consultation on extending it to the private sector closes on 18 December 2026. Phase 3 will extend it to all remaining hazards apart from overcrowding.
What to do now
– Check your social housing contracts for response times and reporting routes.
– Make sure your team can respond within 24 hours to exposed live parts or damaged sockets.
– Keep records, including photos and access attempts, to help landlords show they’ve done what’s reasonable.
– Remember that installation work must still meet the current BS 7671, which is Amendment 4 since 15 October.
ECN will be explaining the main changes over the coming weeks. Send your questions to will@allthingsmedialtd.com.