VIDEN
The 2023 Social Housing Act marks one of the most significant regulatory shifts for landlords, housing associations and property operators in recent years. Designed to improve tenant safety, health and living conditions, the Act places stronger requirements on landlords to manage hazards, including damp, mould, structural risks, and, from October 2026, pest control.
One of the most important additions is Awaab’s Law, named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old child who tragically died after prolonged mould exposure in his family’s social housing accommodation. This law sets strict deadlines for landlords to investigate, address and resolve health-related hazards in homes.
As partners with BPCA (British Pest Control Association), Nordisk Innovation recognises how essential proactive pest control, including rat prevention, is for compliance, building safety and tenant wellbeing.
This blog post outlines what the new legislation requires, the risks landlords must now be aware of, and how rat blockers can play a critical role in meeting the coming standards.
Awaab’s Law: Clear Timeframes for Hazard Response
The UK Government has now issued formal guidance for social landlords through the BPCA, which you can read here
Under Awaab’s Law, landlords must follow strict timelines when a tenant reports a health-related hazard, including:
- Damp
- Mould
- Structural defects
- Water ingress
- and from October 2026: pest infestations (including rats)
Failure to act within mandated timeframes can result in penalties and reputational damage.
For the first time, rats and other pests will fall directly under a legal response requirement, along with other housing-related hazards.
Why Rats Are Now a Compliance Issue, Not Just a Nuisance
Rat activity is not only unpleasant. It directly affects:
1. Tenant health:
Rats can introduce bacteria, parasites and airborne contaminants. This places rat infestations firmly within the “health and safety hazards” category under the Social Housing Act
2. Fire safety:
Rats frequently chew:
-
- Electrical wiring
- Cables
- Fire-safety components
- Sensors
- Control panels
This increases the risk of electrical failures, compromised fire alarms, and even fire outbreaks, another category explicitly addressed in the Social Housing Act.
3. Building integrity
Rats damage:
- Pipes
- Drainage systems
- Ventilation routes
- Structural cavities
Such issues can lead to damp and mould, making rat prevention indirectly relevant to Awaab’s Law as well.
4. Compliance deadlines
From October 2026, landlords will be required to investigate and resolve pest-related hazards within Awaab’s strict timelines.
That means prevention becomes essential, not optional.
Sewer Systems: The Hidden Entry Point
Most rat infestations begin underground.
Private sewers and ageing pipe networks are among the biggest access points for rats entering:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Utility rooms
- Floor drains
- Voids and wall systems
This is why the UK Government and BPCA emphasise identifying the source, not just treating surface-level symptoms.
Rat Blockers as a Compliance Tool Under the Social Housing Act
Nordisk Innovation’s VA-approved rat blockers offer a physical, 100 % toxin-free barrier that prevents rats from moving up through the sewer system into homes and communal buildings.
This supports compliance in three key ways:
- Proactive hazard prevention
- Fire and electrical safety
- Reduced risk of damp and mould
- Faster case resolution
How Rat Blockers Support Awaab’s Law in Practice
Social Housing Act 2023 Makes Prevention Essential
With the introduction of the Social Housing Act and especially Awaab’s Law, rat prevention becomes a formal responsibility for landlords and housing operators.
By installing rat blockers, operators can:
- Reduce complaints
- Protect tenants
- Meet legal deadlines
- Strengthen fire safety
- Lower long-term maintenance costs
Nordisk Innovation is committed to supporting the sector with reliable, certified and documented rat-prevention solutions.
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