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LABMONLINE.CO.UK
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025
LOCAL AUTHORITY BUILDING & MAINTENANCE
SOLVING PAINT PROBLEMS — HOW SPECIALIST COATINGS COMBAT MOULD IN SOCIAL HOUSING PAGE 26 | AWAAB’S LAW AND TACKLING MOULD IN SOCIAL HOUSING PAGE 28 | ZINSSER’S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO TACKLING MOULD
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ADVERTORIAL SUPPLEMENT
Significant hazards are defined as those that could or are already causing harm to the health and safety of the tenant
Zinsser’s mould-resistant interior paint PermaWhite contains a biocide that protects the dried coating against fungal degradation
AWAAB’S LAW AND TACKLING MOULD IN SOCIAL HOUSING The Regulator of Social Housing reports that between 120,000 and 160,000 of the four million social homes in England have “notable” amounts of damp and mould. An increasing problem in residential properties across the UK, Zinsser offers a complete, problem-solving system of mouldresistant products to address mould growth quickly and effectively.
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espite being unsightly, mould can cause serious health problems such as respiratory infections, asthma attacks, allergic reactions and, in severe cases, even death. The seriousness of the issue was solidified this year with the passing of Awaab’s Law, which requires social landlords to identify the underlying causes of mould in their properties and find long-term solutions.
What is Awaab’s Law? Awaab’s Law is the first phase of the Hazards in Social Housing Regulations 2025. Passed on the 27th October this year, the law requires social landlords to identify the underlying causes of mould in their properties and find longterm solutions. Awaab’s Law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who tragically died in December 2020, after developing a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home. This was despite Awaab’s father repeatedly raising the issue with Rochdale Boroughwide
Housing (RBH). Awaab’s Law is the result of a petition by Awaab’s parents, the Manchester Evening News and Shelter, demanding that landlords deal with dangerous hazards in a more effective and timely manner. Social housing tenancy agreements now have additional requirements to improve tenants’ safety and wellbeing. The law stipulates that social landlords need to address all damp and mould hazards, which present significant risk to tenants, within a set timeframe.
What does Awaab’s Law mean for landlords? Awaab’s Law has introduced more responsibilities for social landlords, ensuring that they investigate, remove and prevent hazards. Landlords must investigate significant hazards within 10 working days, and emergency hazards within 24 hours, undertaking required safety work as soon as reasonably practicable. Significant hazards are defined as those that could or are already causing harm to the health and safety of the tenant, whereas emergency hazards
need to be dealt with urgently, as they pose an immediate risk. Social landlords also need to produce a written summary of their findings and deliver this to the tenant within three days of the investigation ending. Required safety work must be carried out within five working days of the investigation ending for significant hazards. It is also the landlord’s responsibility to prevent significant or emergency hazards from recurring within five working days of the investigation concluding. Preventative works must be complete within a reasonable amount of time, otherwise landlords may have to secure suitable alternative accommodation at their expense. The introduction of Awaab’s Law has been a pivotal moment in ensuring the health and safety of social housing tenants. Landlords now have a responsibility to identify and resolve health hazards within a reasonable timeframe, and tenants are entitled to seek court action if Awaab’s Law has been breached. The law will firstly focus on damp and mould, but will cover further
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Council Housing Services said: “Zinsser was the only brand we came across that featured a full system of products to tackle mould. We’ve been using Zinsser’s products now for years. By investing in Zinsser’s services, housing associations can create safer, healthier living environments while also saving on the long-term costs of recurring mouldrelated problems.”
Specification service Zinsser offers a free specification service to ensure that its products are used correctly. Members of the experienced Zinsser team will work with a variety of professionals across the industry — at every stage of their project. From initial survey through to specification and application of coatings, they provide onsite advice, training and technical assistance. They will physically inspect the surface you need to paint and specify the ideal products to suit the project.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Zinsser offers a free specification service to ensure that its products are used correctly
housing hazards in 2026 and 2027, including excess cold and heat, structural collapse, fire, electrical hazards and hygiene. There are plans to extend the law to private landlords, as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill, in 2026.
Zinsser’s solutions to damp and mould Leading British paint manufacturer Zinsser has a three-step ‘Prep, Prime, Protect’ approach to removing mould growth from walls and ceilings. Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover is a water-based spray, designed to prepare a mould-stained surface before painting for a long-lasting finish. The formula contains a fungicide that effectively removes dark stains caused by mould, fungus and algae, and is ideal for use in bathrooms, kitchens
and other areas of high humidity. The Mould Killer & Remover can be used on various internal surfaces such as tiles, wood, plaster and wallpaper. Mould-resistant interior paint PermaWhite has a unique formulation and contains a biocide that protects the dried coating against fungal degradation. The hardwearing paint provides a scrubbable finish that is specifically designed for high-humidity areas that are subject to challenging wear and tear such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. The paint film is designed to resist cracking, peeling and blistering for up to seven years before first maintenance. The mould treatment system is used by many housing services as part of their commitment to tackling mould. A representative from South Tyneside
Zinsser offers a certified CPD Guide to Specifying Mould-Resistant Paints for Social Housing, specifically for social housing landlords/operators and their property management teams. The course explains common causes of mould, associated health risks and how to remove mould safely. The course also details how mould-resistant paints work by inhibiting fungal growth and covers their application in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Practical guidance on selecting, specifying and applying these paints ensures landlords can maintain healthier living environments, safeguarding tenants’ well-being and complying with housing standards and their legal obligations.
■ For more information on Zinsser and its range of mould-resistant products, visit www.zinsseruk.com. To request a CPD presentation please email enquiries@tor-coatings.com
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ADVERTORIAL SUPPLEMENT
ZINSSER’S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO TACKLING MOULD With Awaab’s Law coming into force this year, social housing landlords need efficient and effective solutions for addressing damp and mould in their properties. Zinsser’s three-step system is specifically designed to treat mould and mildew problems.
STEP 1: PREP First, thoroughly clean the mould-stained surface with Zinsser Universal Degreaser and Cleaner. This water-based degreaser spray is effective at cleaning away any dirt, grease and mould residue from walls, providing a clean surface for treatment
and painting. After use, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. Next, apply Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover directly to the surface, as this will prepare a mould-stained area before decorating and provide a longer-lasting paint finish. This is a crucial step in our
mould treatment system, as the Mould Killer & Remover contains a fungicide that effectively kills and removes mould, fungus and algae. It is fast acting and perfect for use in high humidity areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms, which are notorious for mould growth.
STEP 2: PRIME Mould build-up can often leave unsightly stains that can be difficult to cover. Once the surface is suitably prepped, allow to dry before priming with ultimate performance, 4-in-1 B-I-N AQUA. B-I-N AQUA is our water-based primer, sealer, stain killer and odour blocker. With trace VOCs (<0.1%), it’s the third product in our mould treatment system, designed to prep the surface before painting. B-I-N AQUA effectively blocks stubborn stains from mildew, nicotine, smoke, water, grease, tannin, crayon and lipstick, acts as an outstanding barrier against odours and offers exceptional adhesion without the need for sanding. It’s touch dry in 25 minutes and recoatable in just 45 minutes. *Allow two hours drying time for stains.
STEP 3: PROTECT Finally, after allowing to dry, apply two coats of Zinsser PermaWhite to the surface, leaving two hours drying-time in between coats. PermaWhite is our tough and scrubbable mould-resistant paint. The tried and trusted solution for resisting mould growth, it contains a biocide to protect the dried coating against fungal degradation and has trace VOCs (<0.1%). PermaWhite addresses mould and mildew in high-humidity environments like bathrooms and kitchens, and is designed to resist cracking, peeling and blistering for up to seven years. It has a Class 1 Scrub Rating for easy cleaning and is touch-dry in just 30 minutes.
■ For more information on Zinsser and its range of mould-resistant products, visit www.zinsseruk.com. To request a CPD presentation please email enquiries@tor-coatings.com
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