Is Scotland ready? Proactive Compliance with ARC & Awaab’s Law
Many Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) currently manage damp and mould reactively - responding to tenant complaints rather than proactively identifying and mitigating risks. This approach leads to delays in intervention, increased repair costs, tenant dissatisfaction, and, in extreme cases, legal and reputational risks. With the impending introduction of new compliance requirements across Scotland in the Annual Return on the Charter (ARC) and Awaab’s Law, a shift towards proactive management is no longer optional but essential.
The Challenges of Reactive Damp & Mould Management
Traditional damp and mould management models have relied on tenants reporting issues before interventions occur. However, this leads to:
Delayed response times, allowing issues to escalate into severe property damage.
Higher repair costs, as advanced-stage damp & mould problems require more extensive remediation.
Health risks for tenants, particularly vulnerable individuals, which could result in legal action.
Non-compliance with new regulations, putting landlords at risk of penalties under Awaab’s Law.
Compliance Requirements: ARC & Awaab’s Law
Awaab’s Law – Legal Timeframes for Repairs
Annual Return on the Charter (ARC) – New Damp & Mould Metrics
Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak due to prolonged exposure to mould, Awaab’s Law introduces legal requirements for social landlords in England, with expected influence on Scottish policies. These include:
14-day timeframe to investigate damp & mould complaints once reported by a tenant.
7-day requirement for repair work to commence following the investigation.
24-hour requirement for emergency hazards.
This law enforces strict accountability and demands a shift towards proactive property management to avoid non-compliance.
The Scottish Housing Regulator has introduced new requirements for RSLs, including:
Average time taken to resolve damp & mould cases.
Percentage of reopened damp & mould cases within 12 months.
Number of open damp & mould cases at the year-end.
These metrics enforce stricter monitoring and reporting, ensuring that housing providers are addressing damp & mould issues promptly and effectively.
The New Operational Model: Proactive Damp & Mould Management
To comply with ARC and Awaab’s Law while improving efficiency and tenant satisfaction, RSLs must transition to a proactive damp & mould management model. The following operational model integrates sensor technology, automated risk detection, and structured compliance tracking to address issues before they escalate.
How the Model Works:
iOpt Sensors Detect Risk Before Tenant Complaints:
Real-time monitoring of humidity, temperature, and CO₂ identifies early signs of damp & mould.
Alerts are generated automatically, reducing reliance on tenant reports.
Automated Risk Categorisation:
Cases are classified as Warning, Critical, or Emergency.
Preventative guidance is given to tenants for warning cases, while work orders are issued for critical/emergency cases.
Compliance with Awaab’s Law & ARC:
Investigations begin within 14 days of a tenant complaint.
Repairs commence within 7 days after investigation.
Emergency cases must be resolved within 24 hours.
Post-Repair Monitoring & Compliance Tracking:
Sensors continue monitoring conditions to ensure the issue is fully resolved.
If conditions do not improve, the case is automatically reopened for further action.
Executive-Level Reporting & Compliance Tracking
For executive teams, proactive damp & mould management requires structured reporting to track performance, compliance, and financial efficiency. The following reporting structure is essential:
Key Performance Indicators
Outcomes
Metric
Increase proactive cases
Meet or beat ARC and Awaab’s Law resolution standards
Reduce to <10%
Minimise outstanding cases
Improve satisfaction scores
Percentage of cases detected before tenant reports
Average time to resolve DM cases
Percentage of reopened cases (within 12 months)
Percentage of unresolved cases at year-end
Tenant satisfaction with DM repairs
Reporting schedule
Monthly
Operational reporting for damp & mould case volumes, resolution times,and early detection effectiveness.
Quarterly
Compliance check-ins for ARC and Awaab’s Law reporting, ensuring case closure and reopened case metrics are on track.
Annual
High-level impact assessment for board reporting and strategic improvements.
Conclusion & Next Steps
To meet new compliance requirements and improve service quality, RSLs must move from a reactive to a proactive damp & mould management strategy. Implementing sensor technology, structured intervention workflows, and continuous compliance tracking will ensure housing providers remain compliant with ARC and Awaab’s Law while protecting tenants’ health and well-being.
Next Steps:
Implement sensor-based monitoring across housing stock.
Establish automated workflows for proactive intervention.
Align reporting structures to compliance requirements.
Train operational teams on the new proactive model.
Continuously refine the process based on performance data.
