The Scottish housing landscape is set for a significant legislative shift in March 2026, as the standards of Awaab’s Law are integrated into the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025. The update will bring significant relief to social housing residents, mandating a rapid, legal response to the dangers of damp and mould that led to the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020.
Now established across the rest of the UK, this law currently calls on social landlords to take accountability for safeguarding tenants living in affected housing conditions. By mandating strict timescales for inspections and repairs, it ensures every resident has a secure and healthy home.
Social housing in Scotland has already been protected under the Scottish Housing Quality Standard since 2004, underpinning the responsibility of social landlords to ensure homes are well ventilated, energy efficient, and free from rising or penetrative damp.
In March, this foundation will be strengthened as the standards of Awaab’s Law are woven into the Housing (Scotland) Act. The update adds a critical layer of urgency to existing standards, mirroring Awaab’s Law by adding timescales to repair moisture-related issues across rented housing.
To help the public sector meet these new legal deadlines, the Scottish Procurement Alliance offers five key routes to compliance.
Asset Safety and Compliance (ASC1)
This is the primary framework for addressing the six major compliance areas and specific Awaab's Law hazards. It provides a comprehensive suite of services, including:
• Mould treatment and management: Specifically designed for the identification, treatment, and long-term management of damp and mould.
• Property protection: Services for securing homes and providing emergency repairs.
• Asbestos & Water Safety: Covers Workstream 1 (Asbestos consultancy and removal) and Workstream 3 (Water testing and legionella), which are critical when invasive damp repairs disturb the building fabric.
• Electrical & Gas Safety: Essential for the emergency repair 24-hour response window.
Consultancy Services (CS1)
This framework allows you to appoint experts to investigate the root causes of property hazards and oversee remediation.
• Engineering and building services): Engineers to assess ventilation, heating efficiency, and mechanical systems that contribute to moisture control.
• Retrofit consultancy: Specialists (including PAS 2035 roles) to identify thermal performance improvements and prevent "cold bridging."
• Asset management and project specification: Professional support to draft precise repair specifications, ensuring all works meet legal standards.
Refurbishment and Modernisation (RM3)
This framework is used for more extensive works required to solve the root causes of damp and mould, such as structural issues or failing ventilation systems.
• Kitchen & bathroom replacements: Includes upgrading mechanical ventilation (extractor fans) which is a key preventative measure.
• General building works: Supports structural repairs to prevent penetrating damp.
• Void property works: Ensuring properties meet the standard for human habitation before new tenants move in.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9)
Many damp and mould issues are caused by poor thermal performance and "cold bridging." This framework supports:
• Insulation & ventilation: Upgrading loft, cavity wall, or external wall insulation and installing high-quality ventilation systems to reduce condensation.
• Heating systems: Installing efficient heating to ensure tenants can afford to keep homes at a healthy temperature, reducing the risk of "excess cold" (a hazard covered by the law).
Windows and Doors (WD2)
Failing window units or poorly sealed doors are common sources of penetrating damp. The WD2 framework allows for:
• High-performance window installation: Improving the building envelope to prevent moisture ingress.
• Fire-rated timber/PVCu doors: Ensuring emergency repairs to building security are handled within the 24-hour timeframe.
Our innovative and community focused procurement solutions take the pressure off social landlords by driving higher standards through a network of trusted and capable suppliers all committed to delivering high quality work that accelerates sustainable project delivery.
Public sector partners can also benefit from our Added Value Services programme which offers tailored support centred around your requirements at no extra cost. Designed to inform your processes and decisions, maximise your project delivery and extend the capacity and capability of your in-house team.
We can help you with:
• Calling off from a framework and procurement guidance: A free, end-to-end service where our team manages the mini-competition for you—from drafting tender documents to issuing award letters—freeing up your internal resources.
• Price verifications and technical specifications: Expert advice on specifications and requirements to ensure your projects are robust and match framework rates.
• Identifying meaningful community benefits: We provide expert advice on identifying, measuring, and delivering community benefits that create positive and sustainable impact.