Council committed to safe, healthy homes
A new law to protect tenants from unhealthy living conditions has been backed by City of Lincoln Council.
It has announced this week that it fully supports Awaab’s Law, which was introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged exposure to mould in his home.
It places strict new timeframes on social landlords to fix damp, mould, and other serious housing hazards, and will come into effect on 27 October 2025.
The council’s new policy complies with Awaab’s Law and puts tenants first by ensuring homes are well maintained, protecting residents from health risks and delivering faster responses to damp, mould, and housing hazard concerns.
This is part of the council’s wider commitment to improving housing standards, meeting regulatory requirements, and working with tenants to build safer, healthier communities.
By embedding clear response times, improved communication, and preventative action, the council is making sure no tenant has to live in unsafe conditions.
Under the new policy, the council will:
- Investigate emergency hazards within 24 hours and carry out urgent repairs.
- Inspect significant hazards within 10 working days, with remedial works starting within five days of the inspection.
- Begin any non-urgent supplementary repairs within 12 weeks of the initial inspection.
The new policy also sets out a clear plan for proactive inspections and preventative maintenance, including regular stock condition surveys, staff training, and data-driven monitoring to spot risks early and take swift action.
Tenants are encouraged to report problems as soon as they arise so the council can step in and help.
Alongside repairs, the council will provide education and practical advice to empower residents with simple steps to reduce condensation and keep their homes healthy.
Cllr Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing, said: “We are committed to ensuring that every tenant in Lincoln lives in a safe, healthy home. We're very proud to support Awaab’s Law, which emphasises City of Lincoln Council as a compassionate and responsible social landlord.
“We want tenants to know that we are here, we are listening, and we are ready to respond. The sooner damp and mould issues are reported to us, the sooner we can act. We want to work with our tenants to make sure homes across Lincoln are safe and comfortable for everyone.”
City council tenants can report damp, mould or other problems that put homes and health at risk via the Customer Services team on 01522 873 333 or by emailing