From 30 November 2026, Phase 2 of Awaab’s Law will extend the requirements placed on social landlords to a wider range of serious hazards — including domestic hygiene hazards associated with pest infestations.
For housing providers, this means having effective systems in place to identify, investigate and respond to pest problems where they may present a significant or emergency risk to tenants.
How are pest infestations covered by Awaab’s Law?
Awaab’s Law came into force for the social rented sector in England on 27 October 2025. Phase 1 covers all emergency hazards and significant hazards caused by damp and mould.
Phase 2 comes into force on 30 November 2026 and extends the significant-hazard requirements to a wider range of hazards, including domestic hygiene, personal hygiene and food safety.
Government guidance specifically identifies pest infestation as a domestic hygiene hazard. This can include situations where building defects, inadequate refuse storage or other property-related issues result in an ongoing pest problem that poses a threat to health.
When could a pest infestation become a significant or emergency hazard?
Not every report of a mouse, rat or insect will automatically constitute a significant or emergency hazard under Awaab’s Law.
Landlords will need to consider the individual circumstances, including the nature and extent of the infestation, where it is occurring and the potential effect on the occupants.
The Government’s Phase 2 guidance gives examples of circumstances that may amount to a significant hazard, including ongoing pest activity linked to building defects or inadequate refuse storage which poses a threat to health.
A serious pest infestation posing an immediate threat to health may amount to an emergency hazard. Pest activity affecting food preparation areas may also require particularly urgent attention.
What does this mean for social landlords?
Where a potential hazard is reported, landlords need to be able to triage the situation effectively and determine the appropriate response.
The circumstances of the tenant are relevant too. Age, health conditions and other support needs can affect the seriousness of a hazard and should form part of the assessment.
Where an emergency hazard is identified, Awaab’s Law requires investigation and relevant safety work to be completed as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 24 hours of the landlord becoming aware of the hazard.
For housing providers managing large numbers of properties, effective communication, accurate records and clear reporting will therefore be particularly important.
Pest control is about more than treatment
Successful pest management is rarely just a matter of placing bait or treating the pest that can be seen.
A professional investigation should consider the type and extent of the infestation, potential entry points, harbourage, food and water sources and any property defects or environmental factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Depending upon the pest and circumstances, an effective programme may involve treatment, monitoring, proofing recommendations, practical advice to tenants and follow-up visits.
This is particularly important in multi-occupancy and social housing environments, where pest activity can spread between neighbouring properties and a problem affecting one home may form part of a much wider infestation.
How Projex can help
Projex works closely with housing providers across the North of England, delivering professional pest management for individual properties and larger programmes of work.
Our team has experience managing complex and estate-wide infestations, including major bed bug treatment programmes across multiple properties.
We provide housing providers with a coordinated service incorporating investigation, treatment and monitoring, together with clear communication and detailed reporting throughout.
Where property defects or other conditions may be contributing to pest activity, these can be identified and reported to the client so that appropriate remedial action can be considered.
Our Operations Team provides a central point of contact for appointments, access, tenant communication and reporting — particularly valuable when coordinating larger programmes across multiple properties.
Preparing for Phase 2
Phase 2 of Awaab’s Law comes into force on 30 November 2026. Social landlords should therefore be reviewing their procedures now to ensure that reports of pest infestations can be appropriately triaged, investigated and acted upon within the required timescales.
Need support with pest management across your housing stock? Contact our Operations Team on 0330 236 9494 or email info@projexservices.co.uk.