PEST CONTROL THE NEXT PHASE OF AWAAB’S LAW


While damp and mould have dominated headlines, the next stages of Awaab’s Law will also transform how pest infestations are managed across social housing and residential property portfolios. That’s why FMs will need a proactive approach to pest control, says Cleankill.


The introduction of Awaab’s Law marks one of the most significant changes to housing standards and landlord responsibilities in recent years. Named after two-year- old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died following prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social housing flat, the legislation is designed to ensure tenants living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions receive prompt action from FMs, landlords and housing providers.


While many people are aware of the law’s initial focus on damp and mould, fewer realise the regulations are being introduced in stages and will soon extend much further.


The first phase, which came into force in October 2025, introduced strict timescales for investigating and remedying dangerous damp and mould issues alongside other emergency hazards. However, the second phase, coming into effect in October 2026, will significantly widen the scope of the legislation. Landlords and housing providers will also be required to respond within defined timeframes to hazards including pest infestations, excess cold and heat, fire and electrical risks, hygiene concerns and structural safety issues where these present a danger to tenant health.


A third phase, due in October 2027, will expand the law further to cover virtually all remaining Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) hazards, with the exception of overcrowding.


For landlords, housing associations and facilities management providers, this represents a major operational and compliance challenge. The legislation signals a wider shift in how housing hazards are identified, prioritised and resolved.


While the legislation is not specifically targeted at pest control, there is now a growing expectation that pest-related issues linked to property condition are managed with the same urgency, accountability and end-to-end resolution.


Pest control is increasingly seen as a


compliance issue Pest infestations are increasingly recognised as a serious housing and public health concern. Rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs and flies are not simply an inconvenience; they can spread disease, damage property and significantly affect residents’ wellbeing.


Importantly, infestations are often symptomatic of wider structural or environmental problems. Defective drainage systems, poor waste management, damp conditions, water ingress, structural gaps and inadequate maintenance can all contribute to persistent pest activity.


26 | TOMORROW’S FM


As a result, repeat infestations without long-term resolution may increasingly be interpreted as a failure to manage an ongoing housing hazard.


This is one of the key shifts emerging from Awaab’s Law. Historically, pest issues may have been treated as isolated incidents requiring reactive treatment. Going forward, landlords and managing agents will be expected to demonstrate they are identifying and addressing root causes, not simply arranging repeat visits when problems recur.


There is also increasing scrutiny on how effectively pest control contractors, repairs teams and housing providers communicate and work together. In high-risk or repeat-call environments, reactive-only approaches are becoming much harder to justify.


The scale of the issue has already been highlighted in recent sector reports. A report featured by the Property Care Association revealed cases of homeless families being placed in temporary accommodation affected by serious pest infestations, underlining growing concerns around housing standards and the urgent need for faster intervention.


What the changes mean in practice As the legislation expands, expectations around property management are changing rapidly.


Reported hazards are expected to be investigated and acted upon within much shorter timescales. Issues linked to disrepair - such as drainage defects, structural gaps, waste accumulation and damp environments - must be fully resolved rather than temporarily treated.


There is now a much stronger emphasis on identifying root causes rather than relying on repeated reactive treatments.


For example, a rodent infestation caused by broken drainage or defective proofing cannot simply be managed through ongoing baiting programmes alone. Landlords and housing providers will increasingly be expected to demonstrate that the underlying defects were identified, escalated and resolved.


Similarly, fly infestations linked to waste storage, cockroach activity associated with poor sanitation or bed bug issues in temporary accommodation may require a far more coordinated response involving repairs teams, cleaning contractors, environmental health officers and pest control specialists.


Documentation is also becoming increasingly important. Landlords and managing agents must be able to demonstrate a clear audit trail of actions taken, including inspections, treatments, recommendations, repairs and follow-up actions.


twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54