What does Awaab's Law mean and why does it matter? Damp and mould aren’t just inconvenient maintenance problems - they’re serious risks to tenant health, regulatory compliance, and the reputation of housing providers. Nearly 1 in 7 social homes in England failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2023¹. On top of that, the NHS is estimated to spend £1.4 billion a year treating health issues related to cold, damp housing². And yet, more than half of tenants experiencing condensation, damp or mould don’t report it. Often, they don’t recognise the early signs, or they simply don’t believe they’ll be taken seriously. This silence leaves landlords in the dark and turns small, fixable issues into expensive, high-risk problems. The tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020 brought national attention to the dangers of mould in social housing. In response, Awaab’s Law was introduced in 2023, significantly raising the bar for housing providers. Under the new legislation, social landlords must investigate hazards like damp and mould within 14 days, begin necessary repairs within 7 days, and complete the work within 21 days. This has turned what was once a service expectation into a legal requirement. But with so many issues going unreported, housing providers are left vulnerable. Failing to detect or act on early signs doesn’t just put tenants at risk—it can now result in legal and reputational consequences. The challenge: strained teams & outdated systems Most housing providers care deeply about tenant safety. The problem isn’t willingness—it’s capacity. Maintenance teams, IT departments, and customer contact centres are already stretched thin. Spotting early-stage issues requires tools they simply don’t have. Traditional, manual inspections are expensive and slow. Reactive workflows leave little room to get ahead of problems. And despite growing demand for proactive service, only 13% of customers actually receive it. The systems many teams rely on today are fragmented, outdated, and not fit for the pressures of a post-Awaab world. The solution: Active Assessor by 8x8
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