Preparing for Awaab’s Law: Ensuring Housing Stock is Fit and Safe

As the implementation of Awaab’s Law approaches in October 2025, social landlords are under growing pressure to ensure housing stock meets the new legal requirements and, more importantly, that it is safe, habitable and proactively managed.

This roundtable event delivered in partnership between CHIC and ARK Consultancy follows CHIC’s earlier events on The Damp and Mould Debate and The Disrepair Challenge, which marks a crucial opportunity for housing providers to apply lessons learned and prepare effectively for the changes ahead.

The event will also benefit from ARK Consultancy’s unique insight, gained through their work supporting a social landlord whose approach to damp and mould was the subject of national media scrutiny, including ITV’s in-depth reporting. This involvement gave ARK valuable exposure to the real world operational challenges and cultural issues that contribute to housing failures, many of which Awaab’s Law now seeks to address. Their perspective will help landlords examine systemic weaknesses, understand necessary changes and build the organisational resilience needed to prevent future harm.

Although particularly relevant for London based housing associations and local authorities, the challenges discussed will resonate across the sector for all social landlords managing ageing stock, limited resources and rising tenant expectations. The focus will be on turning policy into practice, understanding where risks lie, what action is needed now and how to embed sustainable approaches to compliance, safety and resident wellbeing.

Attendees will explore the strategic, operational and cultural shifts needed to comply with Awaab’s Law, including the use of new technologies, better asset intelligence, early interventions and more integrated supply chain engagement. The discussions will address practical concerns such as navigating constrained budgets, managing reputational risk and ensuring that frontline staff and contractors are empowered to act decisively and compassionately.

Through a mix of presentations, roundtable discussions and case studies, delegates will gain practical insight and leave with clear ideas for preparing their organisations and protecting their residents.

Agenda:

08:30 – 09:30 | Arrivals & Coffee

09:30 – 09:40 | Introduction – Speaker: John Fisher – Chief Executive, CHIC

09:40 – 10:10 | Putting the Tenant First  – Speaker: Kieran Colgan – Director, ARK Consultancy

10:10 – 10:25 | Understanding Awaab’s Law: Legal Duties & Responsibilities – Speaker: Josephine Morton – Partner, Joint Head of Housing, Brabners

10:25 – 10:35 | Mould Prevention and Treatment – Speaker: Daniella Bedward – Business Development Manager, Mapei UK

10:35 – 10:45 | Operational Challenges for Effective Delivery – Speaker: Tom Sowerby – Customer Relationship Director, Wates

10:45 – 10:50 | Setting the Scene for Roundtable Discussions – Speaker: John Fisher – Chief Executive, CHIC

10:50 – 11:00 | Refreshment Break

11:00 – 12:00 | Roundtable Discussions

12:00 – 12:15 | Roundtable Feedback & Key Takeaways – Chaired by: Andy Cameron-Smith – Communications Consultant 

12:15 – 12:30 | Case Study: TBC

12:30 – 12:50 | Q&A Panel Discussion – Chaired by: Jennine Kirkwood – Head of Member Services (London), CHIC

12:50 – 13:00 | Conclusions and next steps – Speaker: John Fisher – Chief Executive, CHIC

13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch