NAPIT welcomes the second phase of Awaab’s Law

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  Posted by: electime      30th July 2026

NAPIT welcomes the second phase of Awaab’s Law which will be implemented from November 30th, 2026. Awaab’s Law has been created in memory of Awaab Ishak, who sadly died in 2020 due to a severe respiratory condition following prolonged exposure to mould in his home.

The first phase of Awaab’s Law which came into effect from October 27th, 2025, meant that all social landlords are required to address all damp and mould hazards and all emergency hazards that have a significant risk of harm to tenants within fixed timeframes.

Phase two of Awaab’s Law will be implemented from November 30th, 2026. The second phase will extend the regulations to include seven more hazards that present a significant risk of harm. This includes, fire and electrical hazards, excess cold and excess heat, falls associated with baths, structural collapse and explosions, and domestic and personal hygiene and food safety.

For hazards that are in scope of Awaab’s Law there are two potential categories, significant and emergency hazard. NAPIT welcome the next phase of Awaab’s Law which extends this important piece of safety legislation to electrical safety.

Electrical hazards cover threats to health from exposure to unsafe electrical installations and equipment within a dwelling. It includes the risk of harm from electric shocks, burns and other injuries resulting from defects, deterioration, damage or inadequate maintenance in electrical installations, wiring systems, accessories and fixed electrical equipment.

The hazard also includes risks arising from defective socket-outlets, switches, consumer units, light fittings and other electrical accessories that may expose the occupants to danger.

Electrical hazards may overlap with fire and other hazards or present similarly. The guidance suggests that landlords should take a common-sense approach and prioritise making the hazard safe, regardless of how it has been initially assessed.

It follows on from significant changes in the social housing sector including electrical safety regulations and the new Decent Homes Standard.

The electrical safety regulations in the social housing sector that took effect in November 2025 for new tenancies, and May 2026 for existing tenancies which requires social landlords to inspect and test electrical installations in their properties at least every five years.

In 2025, NAPIT responded to the government consultation on a new Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors. The government released a response to the consultation in January this year, on how they are updating the new DHS to provide clarity on the requirements that landlords must meet, to improve the quality of rented homes.

The government also ran a separate consultation on introducing a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) in the social rented sector. Social housing landlords should prepare now for the implementation of these changes and ensure they have access to qualified, competent people who can identify, investigate and address hazards within the required timeframes.

NAPIT Training offers a range of products and courses designed to upskill experienced electricians, plumbers, ventilation installers and heating engineers. These courses can help improve knowledge and understanding of domestic ventilation systems, support electrical teams to develop their skills, and increase the range of work they are competent to undertake.

All homes must be safe and it’s key that any work or investigations into hazards must be completed by a qualified and competent person.

Stephen Melton, NAPIT Managing Director said: “Awaab’s Law is an important piece of legislation that will improve safety for social housing tenants. Social landlords must make sure their tenants are safe in their homes and must ensure that investigations into electrical hazards are completed by a qualified and competent electrician.”

Read Government Guidance below:

View NAPIT Training Courses here: