On 8 October 2026 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government opened a consultation on how Awaab's Law could be applied to private renters in England and which other types of accommodation should benefit, including temporary accommodation for homeless people and families, accommodation for care leavers and supported housing. The department said extending the rules could more than double the number of households covered, from 4 million to around 9 million homes. The consultation closes on 18 December 2026 and will inform how the law is implemented in the private rented sector, including the timescale.

Awaab's Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after prolonged exposure to damp and mould, already sets legal repair deadlines for social housing landlords. The department said its first phase took effect on 31 October 2025. A second phase, subject to parliamentary approval, was planned to start on 30 November 2026 covering hazards such as electrical risks, excess cold and falls, with a third phase planned for 2027.

The department said around one in 10 private rented homes has a category 1 hazard, and that fines of up to £7,000 were recently introduced under the Renters' Rights Act. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said the extension would give England's 11 million private renters the same protections. Charities including Generation Rent, Crisis, the Renters' Reform Coalition, Independent Age and Become welcomed the consultation.