Awaab’s Law: The Clock is Ticking for Private Landlords
For letting agents, landlords, and estate agents across Bridgend, the regulatory landscape for property standards is about to undergo its most significant shift in a generation. You have likely heard of Awaab’s Law, born from the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak due to mould in his social housing flat.
While its initial roll-out targets social housing, the government has confirmed Awaab’s Law will be extended to the Private Rented Sector (PRS).
This isn’t a distant threat; it’s a fundamental change to your legal obligations. It moves damp and mould from a “maintenance issue” to a serious, time-sensitive health hazard with severe penalties for inaction.
What Awaab’s Law Means for You
When implemented for the PRS, Awaab’s Law will introduce legally binding timelines for addressing hazards, starting with damp and mould. Based on the social housing framework, landlords and their managing agents will likely be required to:
- Investigate reports of damp and mould within a short, fixed period (e.g., 10-14 working days).
- Act on emergency hazards (posing an imminent risk) within 24 hours.
- Provide a written report of findings to the tenant.
- Complete necessary repairs within a strict new timeframe.
The “I’ll get to it” approach will no longer be viable. Failure to comply will expose landlords to legal action from tenants, hefty fines, and prosecution. For letting agents, failing to manage this process correctly could mean breaching your duty of care to both landlords and tenants, risking your reputation and your business.
⚠️ The “Free Survey” Trap: Why a Quick Fix Can Cost You Dearly
In response to tenant reports, the temptation is to call a company offering a “free damp survey.” This is one of the most expensive mistakes a landlord can make.
A “free survey” is not a survey; it’s a sales visit.
These surveys are typically offered by remedial contractors whose business model is not diagnosis—it’s selling a product. They have a massive conflict of interest.
- They look for symptoms, not the cause. A contractor is incentivised to find a problem that their solution (e.g., chemical damp-proof course, tanking slurry) can fix.
- They often misdiagnose the problem. We frequently see cases where thousands have been quoted for “rising damp” when the true cause is a leaking gutter, poor ventilation, or penetrating damp from a different source—issues that a chemical injection will not solve.
- You pay for unnecessary work. The landlord ends up paying for an expensive, disruptive, and ineffective “fix.” The mould and damp return, the tenant’s complaint is still valid, and you are back at square one, non-compliant with the law.
✅ The Solution: The Power of an Independent, Unbiased Survey
In the new era of Awaab’s Law, an independent damp survey is your single most important tool for compliance, legal protection, and cost-control.
This is where The Veteran Survey Company stands apart. As expert, independent damp and mould surveyors in Bridgend, our only product is the truth.
Our Duty is to You, Not a Sales Target. We are paid for our expert, unbiased diagnosis. We have no conflict of interest and sell no specific chemical treatments.
An independent survey from a qualified professional provides you with a clear, evidence-based “battle plan” that protects you, your tenant, and your asset.
Benefits for Landlords & Letting Agents
| Feature | The Veteran Survey Company (Independent) | “Free” Contractor Survey |
| Motive | To provide an accurate, unbiased diagnosis of the root cause. | To generate a lead and sell a specific remedial product. |
| Diagnosis | A comprehensive report identifying the true source (e.g., condensation, leaks, bridging, etc.). | Often misdiagnosed as “rising damp” to justify a chemical DPC. |
| Solution | A clear list of prioritised, cost-effective repairs. Often simple fixes like gutter repair, ventilation, or defect rectification. | A quote for expensive, often unnecessary chemical treatments. |
| Outcome | Problem fixed correctly the first time. Saves you money. | Problem persists. Wasted money. Continued legal risk. |
| Legal Status | A formal, robust report you can use as evidence of compliance for tenants, courts, or insurance. | A sales quote with no legal or diagnostic standing. |
Why Choose The Veteran Survey Company for your Bridgend Portfolio?
Managing properties in Bridgend and across South Wales means dealing with a diverse housing stock, from traditional pre-1920s stone terraces to modern builds. Each has its own unique challenges, and a one-size-fits-all approach guarantees failure.
We are not just damp surveyors; we are building pathologists.
- Local Bridgend Experts: We understand the specific construction types and environmental factors in Bridgend and the surrounding valleys.
- Qualified & Accredited: Our expertise is backed by industry qualifications. Our reports are trusted by mortgage lenders, banks, and building societies.
- Clear, Actionable Reports: We don’t just find problems; we provide solutions. Our reports are written in plain English, detailing the cause, the remedy, and the preventative steps, allowing you or your contractor to fix the issue efficiently.
- Full Building Health Check: We use specialist equipment, including thermal imaging, to see what the eye can’t, ensuring we find the true source of moisture.
Get Proactive, Not Reactive
Awaab’s Law is coming. Landlords and letting agents who prepare now will protect their investments and their reputations. Those who wait will be caught out, facing stressed tenants, legal action, and spiralling repair costs.
Don’t wait for a tenant’s complaint to become a legal crisis.
- For Letting Agents: Partner with an independent surveyor you can trust. Build our services into your pre-tenancy checks or management packages to offer landlords true peace of mind.
- For Landlords: If you have any concerns about damp or mould in your property, get an independent report now. It’s a small investment that can save you thousands.
Protect your property, ensure tenant safety, and secure your compliance.
Don’t gamble with your property. Contact The Veteran Survey Company today for an unbiased, expert damp and mould survey in Bridgend.
Call us on: 02922 523479 Email us at: theveteransurveycompany@gmail.com Or book your survey online: www.theveteransurveycompany.com