Start with the duty. Then read the guidance.
England’s Awaab’s Law framework links an implied tenancy covenant to detailed prescribed requirements. It is not simply a collection of recommendations.
Official sources checked . Review due — check the original sources before relying on this status.
The primary legislation
Section 10A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 provides the implied covenant mechanism for relevant social housing leases. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 introduced the Awaab’s Law provisions into that framework.
The detailed requirements
The made instrument is the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/1042. The earlier draft is not the correct reference for the requirements that commenced on 27 October 2025.
Guidance explains; status still matters
MHCLG’s implementation guidance is explicitly non-statutory. Phase 2 guidance is already published, but its prospective requirements must be read alongside the live parliamentary status and the government’s approval qualification.
Regulation and complaints are different routes
The Regulator of Social Housing’s standards and assurance expectations sit alongside the legal framework. The Housing Ombudsman explains how it approaches complaints, including the interaction between complaint handling and hazard reports. Neither should be treated as a universal substitute for individual legal advice or the operative tenancy requirements.