Coatings & Paints Feature Safer homes, by law


With the dawning of Awaab’s Law, social landlords will need to adhere to a new set of regulations to ensure building occupants remain as safe as possible in their homes. Dulux Trade explains more about the legislation and how landlords can comply.


H


azards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, also known as Awaab’s Law, comes into eff ect from October 2025. It applies to the types of hazards prescribed by the


housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), including damp and mould. To comply with the new regulations, social landlords must investigate


potential emergency hazards within 24 hours of becoming aware of them and potential signifi cant hazards within 10 working days. T ey must then provide the tenant with a written summary of the investigation fi ndings within three working days. If a signifi cant hazard is identifi ed, relevant safety work must be undertaken within fi ve working days of the investigation concluding. With the impending Awaab’s Law about to give legal weight to the existing


pressures to eradicate damp and mould – common issues within housing – it is worth looking at their impact, and some key measures. It is especially prevalent in older housing stock that might not have been built with damp-proof courses or damp-proof membranes that work to prevent moisture from entering buildings. If leſt untreated, damp can cause damage to furnishings, surfaces and even the structure of a building, which can become hazardous for occupants. It also creates the conditions for mould to grow. Mould is a form of fungus that releases toxic spores and vapours into the


air. It can cause serious health issues for building occupants and is particularly dangerous for people who are more vulnerable, like children and those with weakened immune systems. Under Awaab’s Law, social landlords must quickly respond to concerns of damp and mould to ensure the property is safe for habitation. To do this, there are four key steps to follow, outlined below.


TREAT THE UNDERLYING CAUSE To protect occupants and create a safe living environment, social landlords must work with contractors to identify the underlying cause of the damp and mould. If this is not remedied before the mould is treated, it will continue to grow back and be a risk to residents.


REMOVE & TREAT THE MOULD Once the underlying cause of the mould has been addressed, it can then be removed and the surface treated to prevent the mould from regrowing. To do this, it is recommended to use fungicidal washes and mould removers that contain powerful fungicides which remove mould. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn to prevent contact and the inhalation of harmful spores.


PREPARE THE SURFACE FOR PAINTING Before painting can begin, contractors must prepare the surface using a stain- blocking primer. T is will help to ensure a quality fi nal fi nish by preventing mould and damp stains from bleeding through the new paint. To keep disruption to residents to a minimum, use a multi-functional


product that off ers a primer, sealer, stain block and undercoat in one advanced formula. With only one, quick-drying product needed, contractors can make time effi ciencies. T is solution can also be used across all major interior and exterior surfaces,


so it can be confi dently recommended across projects to speed up the decision- making process.


APPLY THE TOPCOAT Following these steps, the topcoat can be applied. When choosing a paint, it


Under Awaab’s Law, social landlords must quickly respond to concerns of damp and mould to ensure the property is safe for habitation


is important to look for solutions that will prevent mould from regrowing. Fungicidal ranges contain a special fungicide in the paint fi lm that inhibits the growth of fungi and mould inside buildings. T is helps to prevent mould from reappearing on the paint fi lm. T e products’ broad spectrum of antifungal activity makes them ideal for most interior walls and ceilings that are likely to be disfi gured by mould. In conclusion, social landlords should work closely with contractors to ensure


the right measures are taken to identify and address mould and damp issues. As well as removing the mould, it is important to minimise the chance of it returning with specialist paints and coatings that are designed to inhibit fungi and mould growth to improve occupant safety.


Article supplied by Dulux Trade Housing Management & Maintenance August/September 2025


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