Wednesday August 19th 2026
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Questions on how the city council will implement Awaab’s law to ensure complaints of damp and mouldy properties are dealt with have been raised by a local councillor.
Awaab’s Law comes into force in Scotland on October 6, creating a “10-3-5” rule for all private and social landlords.
This means that landlords must investigate damp and mould within 10 working days, provide a written summary to the tenant within three working days, and begin repairs within five working days.
The law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in December 2020 from a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to black mould in his family’s social housing flat in Rochdale, England.
Despite repeated complaints made by his parents to the housing association over three years, no meaningful action was taken.
Under the ‘Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026’ Landlords could receive claims for compensation if they fail to meet these strict statutory timescales.
During the most recent economy, housing, transport and regeneration committee, Councillor Greg Hepburn said: “I have a small point on Awaab’s Law and the reporting of damp and mould within 10 days.
“I am just curious to know if we know how that will be monitored and what the likely consequences for failure to adhere to that.”
Glasgow City Council confirmed that a monitoring regime would be set up for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs)
A council officer said: “In terms of social housing, RSLs will now have to provide statistics and there will be a monitoring regime set up for them.
“In terms of the private rented sector, there is nothing in place as a monitor but there will be a system of fines available should any landlord fail to adhere to the 10-3-5 day rule.”
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