Awaab's Law: Changes to Damp and Mould Repairs
From 6 October 2026, new laws will help make sure social landlords respond more quickly to reports of damp and mould.
Known as Awaab's Law, the new regulations set clear timescales for investigating problems and carrying out repairs, helping to keep customers safe in their homes.
What is Awaab's Law?
Awaab's Law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old child who died after being exposed to damp and mould in his home.
The new law has been introduced by the Scottish Government to make sure landlords deal with damp and mould quickly and help provide safe, healthy homes for tenants.
What will change?
Under the new law, Riverside Scotland must:
- investigate reports of damp and mould within 10 working days
- provide a written summary of the findings within 3 working days of the inspection
- start repair work within 5 working days where significant damp or mould is found
- complete repairs within 20 working days of work starting, where applicable
- take reasonable steps to keep homes free from damp and mould
What this means for you
If you notice damp, mould, condensation or signs of a leak in your home, please let us know as soon as possible.
Reporting problems early helps us investigate quickly and take the right action to protect your home and your health.
How we're preparing
We're reviewing and improving our repairs and inspection processes to make sure we meet the new legal requirements.
This includes strengthening how we:
- investigate reports
- communicate with customers
- manage repairs
- monitor and report on our performance
What you can expect from us
We want every customer to live in a safe, warm and healthy home.
Awaab's Law supports the work we're already doing to tackle damp and mould quickly, provide clear communication, and deliver a reliable repairs service.
