Where it applies now
Since October 2025, social landlords have had to deal with damp and mould and emergency hazards within fixed timescales. The government says it will extend this in social housing from 30 November 2026 to more hazards, including excess cold and heat, falls, fire, electrical safety and hygiene.
What social landlords must do
The consultation uses the social housing rules as its starting point for private renting:
| Step | Social housing timescale |
|---|---|
| Investigate a potential significant hazard | Within 10 working days of becoming aware |
| Written summary of findings to the tenant | Within 3 working days of the investigation |
| Make the home safe | Within 5 working days of the investigation |
| Emergency hazards | Investigate and make safe within 24 hours |
If the home can’t be made safe in time, social landlords must provide suitable temporary accommodation at their expense. The consultation asks whether that would be practical for private landlords.
What this means for private landlords
- Nothing changes until regulations are made. There is no confirmed start date for private tenancies yet.
- The government is asking whether the social housing timescales would work for private renting, and how and when to bring them in.
- Tenants will also be able to take complaints about repairs to the new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman once it’s set up.
What to do now
- Read the consultation and respond before 11:59pm on 18 December 2026, especially on timescales and costs.
- Note the date every repair report comes in and when you act on it. Clear records will matter under any version of the law.
- Treat damp and mould reports as urgent now: they were the first hazards covered in social housing.
We’ll add the final rules to our law updates when they’re published.