Key Points
- On 27 October, 80 Hackney residents protested hazardous living conditions in front of Hackney Town Hall.
- The protest coincided with the enforcement start date of Awaab’s Law, targeting damp and mould in social housing.
- Residents, represented by London Renters Union (LRU), highlighted chronic leaks, damp, mould, and accessibility issues.
- Some tenants suffer worsening health conditions such as sarcoidosis, sickle cell disease, and chronic asthma due to poor housing.
- Awaab’s Law mandates social landlords to repair damp, mould, and emergency issues within strict timeframes, starting with damp and mould repairs.
- The law empowers tenants to sue landlords for breaches if repairs are neglected.
- A Housing Ombudsman investigation earlier this year revealed that Hackney Council had ignored numerous complaints from vulnerable tenants.
What prompted the Hackney residents’ protest on the first day of Awaab’s Law?
On 27 October, coinciding with the day Awaab’s Law came into force, about 80 protestors gathered at Hackney Town Hall. As reported by East London Lines, the protest was organised by the London Renters Union (LRU), whose members are directly affected by poor housing conditions. Holding placards bearing slogans such as “Mould kills! Safe council homes now!”, protesters called for urgent improvements to their unsafe living environments.
The spokesperson for LRU told East London Lines that tenants had
“experienced chronic leaks, damp and mould as well as accessibility issues.”
The union emphasised that despite repeated calls for repairs over several years, many residents feel their concerns are continually ignored. The spokesperson added,
“In all three households, members are battling health conditions which are made worse by the living conditions, including sarcoidosis, sickle cell, and chronic asthma.”
What is Awaab’s Law and why was it introduced?
Awaab’s Law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who tragically died in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing home. The legislation is designed to tackle hazardous housing conditions more forcefully.
According to the National Housing Federation, Awaab’s Law
“effectively inserts into social housing tenancy agreements a term that will require landlords to comply with new requirements, to be set out in detail through secondary legislation.”
The initial focus of the law, starting from 27 October 2025, is on repairing damp and mould within strict deadlines. From 2026, it will broaden its scope to cover other housing hazards.
The law gives tenants tangible power, allowing them to hold landlords accountable through legal action in the courts if landlords fail to repair hazards within the stipulated time.
How does the law impact social landlords and tenants?
The National Housing Federation highlights that all registered social housing providers must adhere to this new legal framework. Failure to comply could result in tenants launching breaches of contract claims.
East London Lines reported that this legal backing represents a significant shift in tenant rights, empowering them to demand safer homes and timely repairs.
What did the Housing Ombudsman uncover about Hackney Council’s housing management?
Earlier in 2025, the Housing Ombudsman conducted a special investigation into Hackney Council’s handling of tenant complaints. The investigation found the council had overlooked numerous reports from vulnerable residents concerning unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions.
This revelation adds context to the residents’ anger and frustration, leading to the street protest on the day Awaab’s Law became enforceable.
What are residents demanding in response to their housing conditions?
As summarised by London Renters Union, residents want immediate rehousing and comprehensive fixes to their homes. Their placards — emblazoned with texts like “Safe homes, not nightmare housing!” and “Stop the suffering, rehouse us now” — clarify the urgent need for safe, habitable council housing.
Their demands reflect wider concerns about the failure of social landlords and local authorities to provide adequate housing standards historically.
What are the broader implications of Awaab’s Law for social housing across the UK?
Awaab’s Law is a landmark piece of legislation legislating stricter accountability for social landlords. Its rollout signals a shift towards prioritising tenant safety and health, with a legal framework obliging landlords to act swiftly on damp, mould, and other hazards.
With social landlords nationwide now under enhanced scrutiny, the law could trigger systemic improvements in housing conditions, especially for vulnerable populations.
How have local authorities and social landlords responded to the legislation and protests?
While specific statements from Hackney Council or social landlords in response to the protest have not been widely reported, the enforcement start of Awaab’s Law places clear pressure on local authorities to step up remedial actions.
According to the National Housing Federation, this legislation is intended to drive a “culture shift” where tenant safety becomes a non-negotiable standard rather than a reactive afterthought.
On the day Awaab’s Law came into effect, Hackney residents demonstrated loudly and visibly to spotlight the persistent failures of social landlords to provide safe, healthy homes. The law itself represents a new chapter in holding landlords accountable and finally empowering tenants to demand overdue repairs. However, the protest and past Ombudsman findings expose a headline truth: legislation alone is not enough without genuine, on-the-ground commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable residents. The next months will test whether Awaab’s Law can deliver the safer homes its namesake boy tragically deserved.
