Drawing on Housemark’s monthly Pulse surveys 56 and 57, which capture performance in the first two months following the introduction of Awaab’s Law (November 2025 and December 2025), the data provide one of the earliest sector-wide pictures of how the legislation is working in practice.

The findings show that compliance with statutory timescales is generally strong once hazards are categorised. Across both surveys, around seven in 10 landlords reported achieved over 90 per cent compliance for recorded emergency hazards.

However, the data highlights wide variation in how hazards are identified and prioritised, suggesting that interpretation and triage remain the most significant challenges rather than intent or willingness to comply.

In the first month of implementation, reported emergency hazard volumes ranged from zero to more than 160 cases per 1,000 homes, pointing to considerable inconsistency in how landlords define and record hazards under the new regime. Pennington Choices and Housemark research from autumn 2025 found fewer than one in ten landlords reported feeling fully prepared ahead of implementation, reinforcing the scale of operational change required.

By the second month, early consequences of Awaab’s Law were becoming more visible. Void rates increased by 14 per cent in December compared with November, mirroring seasonal patterns but with additional pressure linked to safety-related decants and extended works. Housemark analysis suggests that if combined vacancy rates rise above 1.5 per cent, around 20,000 homes would be temporarily unavailable across the sector.

Performance data also shows the impact of capacity constraints. In November, 71 per cent of emergency hazards were resolved within 24 hours. This fell to 56 per cent in December, reflecting seasonal workforce pressures rather than reduced compliance effort. Emergency hazard volumes continued to vary widely between landlords, reinforcing the challenge of consistent interpretation at the point of reporting.

The surveys also point to a growing reliance on data quality and professional judgement. As regulatory expectations tighten, inaccuracies in how hazards are logged, categorised or closed now carry increased regulatory and reputational risk. The Pulse findings suggest that landlords with clearer processes and stronger data discipline are better placed to manage compliance and evidence decision making under scrutiny.

Taken together, the first two months of data suggest that Awaab’s Law is already reshaping landlord behaviour. The legislation is accelerating a shift away from compliance as a procedural exercise towards demonstrable safety outcomes, while exposing the practical pressures that sit beneath headline performance.

Jonathan Cox, chief data officer at Housemark, said: “Awaab’s Law is driving real change in how safety is prioritised and managed. What the early data shows is that landlords are largely doing the right thing once hazards are identified, but the biggest challenge lies in interpretation, capacity and consistency.

“As the sector moves beyond the first phase of implementation, robust data and professional judgement will be critical to sustaining compliance and protecting residents.”