Arches Housing - Damp and Mould Health Check and Awaab’s Law Review

Arches Housing (Arches) is a local housing association providing over 1,300 quality affordable homes for rent and shared ownership across Sheffield, Rotherham, and Chesterfield. 

Project Overview 

Arches appointed our consultancy team to carry out a Damp and Mould Health Check and Awaab’s Law Review to gain an understanding of where their existing approach required adaptation ahead of the new legislation. Our aim was to ensure they were prepared for compliance once Awaab’s Law came into force and to identify any gaps within their damp and mould processes and procedures following its implementation.  

Phase one of Awaab’s Law was implemented on 27th October 2025, introducing strict time frames for landlords to address damp and mould and emergency hazards. In 2026, the law will extend these time frames to a broader range of HHSRS hazards, and in 2027 to all remaining hazards, excluding overcrowding. For organisations across the sector, adapting existing approaches now will ensure that systems, staff, and procedures can meet both current and future requirements.  

Our Approach

Our work with Arches included a structured review of their end-to-end approach to damp and mould and hazard management, focusing on their readiness for Awaab’s Law. Our support included:

• Policy, Process, and Procedure Review: We assessed existing documentation and supported the development of revised policies and procedures to reflect the requirements of Awaab’s Law. 
• Front-End Categorisation Review: We examined how Arches carried out the initial categorisation of cases under Awaab’s Law, particularly the identification of emergency and significant hazards, reviewing how decisions were made and what factors were considered.
• Damp and Mould Health Check: We are reviewing Arches’ governance, systems, KPIs, contractor management, and competency within the legal and regulatory context under Awaab’s Law.  

Our strong working relationship with Arches, created through previous projects and annual Compliance Health Checks, allowed us to operate as their trusted expert. Their confidence in our guidance means they felt able to seek advice openly throughout the process. 

Our Achievements 

This support will place Arches in a stronger position to maintain ongoing compliance with the new requirements. By seeking insight from an experienced third party rather than relying solely on internal arrangements, they have strengthened their preparedness and resources to keep their homes safe and compliant.  

Throughout this project, we have encouraged Arches to operate as though the 2026 hazard requirements are already live. This approach ensures they are ready for next year’s extension of Awaab’s Law and supports the early preparation for addressing other HHSRS hazards under time frames when required.   

Client Testimonial 

"Working with Pennington Choices was genuinely reassuring. Their audit of our Awaab’s Law compliance was clear, honest, and incredibly helpful. They took the time to understand how we work and gave us practical advice that’s already making a difference." - Head of Asset Management at Arches Housing