The biggest risk to FM and construction in 2026 is skills, and more importantly, how badly we are managing them.

We keep saying there is a skills shortage. Then we actively make it worse.

Recently, Construction Management published an article warning that skills and apprenticeships across construction are weakening rather than improving. For many of us working at the delivery end of the industry, this simply confirms what we are already seeing on live jobs every day.

You can read the article here:
https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/construction-leaders-warn-of-weakening-skills-and-apprenticeships/

This is why my prediction for 2026, and beyond, is that skills will become the defining issue for FM and construction unless we change course.

Experience is being pushed out – Across FM and construction, experienced tradespeople are increasingly being excluded from sites because they do not hold the right qualification. I am talking about electricians, roofers and engineers with thirty or forty years of experience who have worked their entire careers safely, now being told they are not competent because they do not have an NVQ.

Many of these qualifications did not exist when they trained. The removal of experience-based CSCS cards has closed the door on a significant part of the workforce, including many European trades who relied on that route to demonstrate competence.

Gold cards are now positioned as the benchmark, yet there is very little discussion about who is realistically going to obtain them and how, particularly when even highly experienced workers struggle to demonstrate competence in the way the system now demands.

Paper competence versus real competence

Competence is supposed to be a balance of training, knowledge and experience. Increasingly, it has become a paperwork exercise.

“I cannot get a roofer with thirty years of experience onto a commercial roof because I cannot produce training certificates that did not exist when they were trained. Meanwhile, the defect that needs fixing remains unresolved.“

We talk constantly about safety, yet we are prepared to leave real risks in place while evidence portfolios are reviewed by people who have never been on site and never carried out the work themselves. This does not make buildings safer. It makes decision-making slower and further removed from reality.

Apprenticeships without capacity – We are repeatedly told that apprenticeships are the answer to the skills shortage. As employers, we want to take people on and train them properly.

The problem is capacity. There are not enough apprenticeship places. There are not enough college courses. In many areas, colleges are under-resourced, oversubscribed or simply not offering the construction trade courses people actually need.

You can offer someone a job tomorrow, but if they cannot secure a place at college, they cannot legally be an apprentice. Without a course, there is no framework to support them and no qualification at the end. This is not a future concern. It is happening right now.

A growing gap in the workforce – The current system is creating a widening age gap across the industry. At one end, we have highly experienced workers nearing retirement who are being pushed out because they no longer meet new competency requirements. At the other end, we have young people trying to enter the industry through an apprenticeship system that cannot support them.

In the middle, there is very little.

That gap matters. Experience is how skills are passed on. If experienced people are excluded, who will train the next generation? If apprentices cannot access college courses, how do they ever reach full competence?

Last week, I wrote about what happens when experience no longer counts, focusing on grandfather rights and the unintended consequences of removing experience-based routes. That article is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-experience-longer-counts-grandfather-rights-cscs-sonia-murton-fdw6e

My prediction for 2026 and beyond – If we continue down this route, the skills shortage will not improve. It will accelerate.

“We will push experienced people out of the industry. We will fail to bring new people through in sufficient numbers. We will increase reliance on subcontracting and agency labour. We will introduce greater safety and delivery risks, not smaller ones”.

This is not a future problem. It is already happening.

My prediction for 2026, 2027 and 2028 is simple. Unless we rebalance how we define competence, invest properly in apprenticeship capacity and stop treating experience as optional, the skills crisis will define the next phase of FM and construction.

Sonia Murton – Founder & Managing Director, Westbury FM Limited.

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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The Tomorrow’s FM Awards recognise excellence, innovation and best practice across the facilities management sector. Being shortlisted is a strong endorsement of the quality, compliance focus and practical value of the signage solutions we deliver for our clients nationwide.

Recognising Excellence in Signage Services

Westbury’s signage services support safer, more compliant and more efficient buildings. Our approach combines technical expertise, clear project management and self-delivery, ensuring clients receive signage solutions that are accurate, durable and fully aligned with regulatory requirements.

From statutory and safety signage to bespoke wayfinding and asset identification, our teams work closely with clients to understand building use, risk profiles and operational needs. This ensures signage is not only compliant but also practical and easy for occupants and visitors to understand.

About the Tomorrow’s FM Awards

The public and the wider FM community vote for the Tomorrow’s FM Awards. The awards guide for 2026 has now been published and will be distributed to over 62,000 readers shortly.

Voting is now open and runs until Monday, 9th March. Anyone can vote by selecting their winning product or service through the official public poll.

How to Vote for Westbury

Voting is quick and simple:

1. Visit the official voting page using the link below
2. Select the relevant category: Self-Delivered Signage Services – Westbury FM
3. Submit your vote

Vote here:
https://tinyurl.com/TFMAwards26

Thank You for Your Support

We want to thank our clients, partners and colleagues for their continued support. Being shortlisted reflects the hard work of our directly employed teams and our commitment to delivering compliant, high-quality services across the built environment.

If you have worked with Westbury FM or experienced our signage services first-hand, we would greatly appreciate your vote.

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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For most of my career, competence in construction meant something very simple.
You learned the job, you stayed safe, and you got better over time. That balance feels like it is slipping. As of the end of 2024, Grandfather Rights under the CSCS scheme were withdrawn. Experienced tradespeople who relied on industry accreditation can no longer renew their cards unless they hold a formal qualification, typically an NVQ.

On paper, this is about raising standards. On-site, it is creating real problems.

When 30 Years’ Experience Is Not Enough -I employ people who have been doing their jobs safely and competently for decades.As I said recently in a client conversation,  I can have someone with 30 years’ experience, but I am told they cannot come on-site. At the same time, I can send someone straight out of college with an NVQ Level 3, and they are accepted.  That is not a hypothetical scenario. It is happening now.

This is not a criticism of young people or qualifications. NVQs absolutely have their place. But treating a certificate as more valuable than decades of lived experience is a dangerous oversimplification.

Qualifications Do Not Equal Competence on Their Own – Even the Health and Safety Executive is clear. Competence is a combination of training, skills, knowledge and experience.Experience matters. It is how judgment is built. It is how risks are spotted early. It is how problems are solved when plans do not match reality. One of the most worrying aspects of this shift is how little it reflects what actually keeps people safe on site.
“This feels like tick-box compliance, not real competence.”

The Cost Is Being Pushed Down the Supply Chain – Another uncomfortable truth is who pays for this. Large clients and Tier 1 contractors set the requirements, and SMEs are left to fund the consequences.

I have had experienced roofers, people who have done the job safely for 30 years, told that they must sit additional exams, complete new training, and absorb the cost themselves. In at least one case, after all that investment, no further roofing work followed. That is not skills development. That is risk transfer.

A Policy That Collides With the Skills Shortage – At the same time, we are told the industry faces a skills crisis. We are told we need more homes, more infrastructure, and more people entering the construction industry.So I have to ask the obvious question.

“If experienced people cannot get on site, who exactly is training the next generation?”

You cannot mentor apprentices without mentors. You cannot close the skills gap by pushing skilled people out.
“This is how the world goes mad, we talk about a skills shortage, then make it harder for skilled people to work.”

What CSCS Cards Were Meant to Do – CSCS cards were designed to demonstrate health and safety awareness and a baseline level of competence. They were never intended to measure craftsmanship or decades of practical knowledge. Using them as a blunt gatekeeper, without flexibility or recognition of experience, risks undermining the very outcomes the system is meant to support.

We Need Balance, Not Extremes – This is not an argument against standards, training or qualifications. It is an argument against removing experience from the equation. If we continue down a path where paperwork outweighs judgment, and certificates outweigh capability, we will lose people we cannot easily replace.And once they leave, they are unlikely to come back. We should not be forced to choose between experience and education. The industry needs both, and policies should reflect that reality.

If we continue down a path where experience is devalued and compliance replaces competence, we risk:

• Accelerating the loss of skilled workers
• Deepening the skills gap.
• Undermining the very safety and quality these rules aim to protect.

The question isn’t whether standards matter. It’s whether we’re applying them wisely. We need:

• Hybrid routes that properly recognise experience
• Assessment models that value demonstrated competence, not just certificates
• A system that supports safety, skills retention and workforce sustainability together

If the goal is safer sites and a stronger industry, then experience must still count. Because a skills strategy that excludes skilled people is not a strategy at all.

Thanks for reading,

Sonia Murton – Managing Director, Westbury FM

References

• CSCS – Industry Accreditation (Grandfather Rights) Withdrawal: https://www.cscs.uk.com/industry-accreditation/
• CSCS – What a CSCS Card Proves: https://www.cscs.uk.com/about/what-is-a-cscs-card/
• Health and Safety Executive – Competence in Construction: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/competent.htm
• CITB – Qualifications and Standards: https://www.citb.co.uk/qualifications-standards/
• Build UK – Skills and Competency: https://www.builduk.org/priorities/skills-and-competency/
• Construction Leadership Council – Industry Skills Plan: https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/
• Federation of Master Builders – Skills Crisis: https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/skills-crisis.html
• House of Lords Library – Construction Skills Shortages: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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Our recent drainage compliance case study highlights how a proactive, self-delivered approach can make a measurable difference across complex sites.

The challenge of ageing drainage infrastructure

Many estates operate with legacy drainage systems that have evolved over time. Poor records, historic alterations and ageing infrastructure can make it difficult to understand system layouts or demonstrate compliance. In the case study, the client faced recurring blockages, flooding risks and limited visibility of underground assets. There was also a clear requirement to meet regulatory obligations without disrupting site operations.

This is a common issue across healthcare, education, residential and commercial environments where drainage is often overlooked until something goes wrong.

A structured and compliant solution

Westbury was appointed to assess, stabilise and future-proof the drainage network. Our in-house drainage specialists carried out detailed surveys to identify defects, map existing infrastructure and assess compliance risks. Using CCTV inspections and condition reporting, we were able to build a clear picture of the system and prioritise remedial works.

Rather than relying on multiple subcontractors, all works were delivered by Westbury’s directly employed team. This ensured full accountability, consistent quality and clear communication throughout.

Delivering results through self-delivery

The outcome was a fully documented drainage system, reduced reactive call-outs and improved compliance confidence for the client. Planned maintenance schedules were introduced to prevent future blockages, alongside clear reporting that supports audits and statutory requirements.

By combining technical expertise with a practical understanding of live environments, Westbury delivered a solution that protected both the site and its users.

A complete drainage service under one roof

This case study reflects the wider drainage services Westbury provides across the UK. Our offering includes planned and reactive drainage maintenance, emergency response, CCTV surveys, root removal, high-pressure jetting and repairs. We also support compliance through detailed reporting and asset data that integrates into broader facilities management strategies.

Because our services are self-delivered, clients benefit from faster response times, fewer handovers and a team that understands their estate in detail.

Why clients choose Westbury for drainage

Drainage issues rarely exist in isolation. They impact health and safety, operational continuity and regulatory compliance. Westbury’s approach is built around prevention, transparency and long-term value. By identifying risks early and maintaining systems properly, we help clients avoid costly emergencies and extend the life of their assets.

If you are experiencing recurring drainage issues or need greater confidence in your compliance position, Westbury’s drainage team is ready to help.

Benefits of working with Westbury for drainage services

• Directly employed drainage engineers trained to the highest safety and technical standards
• Specialist equipment including high-pressure jetting, CCTV survey cameras and no-dig repair solutions
• Proven experience supporting commercial landlords, social housing providers and private sector clients
• 24/7 service coverage with rapid response for urgent and reactive drainage issues
• Transparent reporting with clear recommendations and photographic evidence where required.

Talk to our drainage specialists

Whether you need a one-off survey or a fully managed drainage service, Westbury can tailor a solution to your site. Get in touch to discuss how our in-house drainage expertise can support your buildings and protect your operations.

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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Awaab’s Law is here, a Landmark for Social Housing Reform
Published 27 October 2025 | Westbury FM

Why it matters

The law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy from Rochdale who tragically died in December 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social-housing home. His death exposed systemic failures in the way serious housing hazards were reported, investigated and remedied.

In memory of Awaab and as a legacy to his family’s campaign for change, the government has introduced new legally binding time limits and duties for social landlords to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.

What the new law requires (Phase 1)

From today, social housing landlords must act with urgency when certain hazards are reported. Key requirements include:

• Emergency hazards (those posing an imminent and significant risk to occupant health or safety) must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
• Significant damp and mould hazards must be investigated within 10 working days of being notified. If found to pose a serious risk, the home must be made safe within 5 working days after investigation.
• Landlords must provide tenants with a written summary of the investigation within 3 working days of its completion.
• If the home cannot reasonably be made safe in the specified timeframe, the landlord must offer suitable alternative accommodation at their expense.
• Landlords must take into account the situation of vulnerable households (such as those with young children, disabilities or health conditions) when assessing risk and urgency.

The law applies to social housing tenancies, local authority homes and registered providers of social housing, right now. Private rented properties will be brought under scope in later phases.

What’s next & broader implications

Phase 1 focuses on the most urgent hazards (emergency risks, damp & mould). According to the published guidance and regulatory commentary:

• Phase 2 (from 2026) will extend to other hazards under the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), including excess cold/heat, fire, and electrical hazards.
• Phase 3 (2027 and beyond) will cover the remaining significant hazards in social housing (excluding overcrowding).
• The introduction of Awaab’s Law also serves as an indicator of the government’s heightened scrutiny of social housing standards. It will likely drive stronger enforcement, improved tenant-landlord communication and demand for better maintenance systems across the sector.

What this means for tenants & landlords

For tenants:

• If you live in social housing and you report damp, mould or another serious hazard, you now have a legal right to prompt investigation and action.
• Keep a record: date the hazard was reported, any correspondence, and photos if safe to do so This will help if you need to escalate.
• If your landlord fails to act within the new timeframes, you may have grounds for complaint or legal action under the new regime.

For landlords (social housing providers):

• Review and update repair-and-maintenance policies, risk assessment processes and communication workflows to meet the new deadlines.
• Make sure system-wide readiness: staff training, contractor arrangements, clear internal escalation routes for hazards, and careful record-keeping.
• Longer term: prepare for the broader obligations coming in Phases 2 and 3, and consider how to integrate those into asset-management planning.

A final reflection

Today represents a crucial milestone for social housing in England. Awaab’s Law sends a clear message: a decent, safe home is not a bonus, it’s a right. The tragedy of Awaab Ishak lives on not only in memory but in reform aimed at protecting millions of tenants across the country.

As the protections come into force, vigilance, transparency, and accountability will be more important than ever. For tenants who continue to live in unsafe conditions, hope lies in these new legal duties; for landlords, the law is a call to match expectations with action.

At Westbury FM, we will continue to monitor how the law is implemented and update you on its impact locally and nationally.

If you or someone you know is living in social housing and experiencing serious damp, mould or other hazardous conditions, don’t hesitate to seek advice or support. This law exists to give you a stronger voice.

References

1. The Guardian – Social landlords in England now forced to fix emergencies within 24 hours
2. The Independent – Awaab’s Law: Renters’ Rights Bill and air quality reforms
3. National Housing Federation – Awaab’s Law guidance
4. Trowers & Hamlins – Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law takes effect on 27 October 2025
5. Shelter England – How Awaab’s Law changes the rules on hazards in social housing
6. Ramsdens Solicitors – Renters’ Rights Bill and Awaab’s Law
7. Procurement for Housing – Awaab’s Law requirements and deadlines: The complete breakdown
8. Shakespeare Martineau – Are you ready for Awaab’s Law?
9. Clyde & Co – The introduction of Awaab’s Law in October 2025
10. Scottish Housing News – Implementation concerns raised as Awaab’s Law comes into force in England
11. Ideal Home – Awaab’s Law explained: your rights as a renter and landlord
12. The Guardian – Delay to Awaab’s Law puts lives of social housing tenants at risk, warns Shelter

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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The project, delivered by 3B Training Ltd, based in Wigan, aims to train 100 façade installers and 24 supervisors by early 2026. This national initiative supports the wider Government push to accelerate cladding remediation, as outlined in the Remediation Acceleration Plan published in December 2024.

CITB’s move is supported by new legislation in Scotland and Wales, including the recently introduced Building Safety (Wales) Bill. The aim is to set clear responsibilities for building owners and ensure a competent workforce is in place to meet them.

Tim Balcon, CITB CEO, said the industry urgently needs more skilled workers to carry out safe remediation. He stressed the importance of building long-term workforce capacity, not just responding to current demand.

Matthew Bewley from 3B Training confirmed the programme will include a steering group to define training standards and will directly support the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s post-Grenfell review.

What Others Are Saying

Construction Management confirmed the funding and delivery model, highlighting its alignment with government remediation targets.

Roofing Today and The Construction Index echoed the urgency of upskilling cladding and façade workers, particularly in light of incoming legal requirements for high-rise residential buildings.

All sources point to the same message: clients must now verify competence, not just cost, when appointing contractors.

What This Means for Westbury FM Clients

Westbury FM works with housing associations, schools, and councils. Many of these organisations own multi-storey or multi-occupancy buildings where façade maintenance plays a critical safety role.

CITB’s project brings three clear benefits to the organisations we support:

• It creates a new benchmark for façade competence.
• It supports safer, more accountable supply chains.
• It gives clients a clearer view of contractor capability.

We expect this new training standard to become a de facto requirement in future public sector contracts.

We already self-deliver planned and reactive maintenance using in-house engineers. This model gives us full control over training, record keeping, and performance.

We support CITB’s efforts and will:

• Track the development of the new framework and align our training where appropriate.
• Guide clients in choosing contractors and suppliers that meet emerging competence standards.
• Share updates as the training programme rolls out.

What You Should Be Asking

For housing, education, and local authority teams, now is the time to ask:

• Who maintains our façades, and what is their training background?
• Do they hold verifiable certifications aligned with CITB’s programme?
• Can they demonstrate supervisor competence for high-risk works?
• Is our maintenance partner investing in skills?

At Westbury FM, we believe safety starts with the people doing the work. Our in-house approach ensures clear accountability, consistent quality, and peace of mind for asset owners and building users alike.

Read the original CITB release here:
🔗 CITB Launches Building Safety Project to Upskill Façade Workers

References: 

https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/news-events-and-blogs/citb-launches-building-safety-project-to-upskill-fa%C3%A7ade-workers

https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/citb-launches-250k-building-safety-skills-training-programme

https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/citb-backs-training-for-cladders

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accelerating-remediation-a-plan-for-increasing-the-pace-of-remediation-of-buildings-with-unsafe-cladding-in-england/remediation-acceleration-plan

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Government Spending Review, delivered yesterday, marked a defining moment for the UK’s social housing sector. Among the key announcements was a £1 billion remediation fund, aimed at levelling the playing field between private and public housing providers by giving Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) equal access to critical funding for repairs and upgrades.

This commitment addresses long-standing concerns that social landlords have historically been excluded from major funding schemes, leaving tenants in substandard conditions without sufficient investment to remedy known hazards. The new fund is a pivotal move towards restoring equity and decency across the housing spectrum.

Awaab’s Law is Coming

The timing of the Chancellor’s announcement is particularly significant as it comes just months ahead of the enforcement of Awaab’s Law in October 2025. Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died following prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his social housing flat, the law imposes stringent legal obligations on landlords to address these hazards within prescribed timeframes.

With the English Housing Survey recently revealing a sharp rise in damp and mould in social homes, from 4% in 2019 to 7% in 2023-24, sector leaders have been calling for structural reform and funding to match their new responsibilities. The Government’s latest intervention responds to that call, recognising that RSLs must be financially equipped to comply with the forthcoming legislation.

Levelling the Remediation Field

Previously, large-scale building safety and remediation funds were primarily available to private landlords and developers, leaving social housing providers to fund essential upgrades from already stretched budgets. By allowing RSLs to apply for the same grants, the new £1 billion scheme acknowledges the unique pressures these landlords face, especially as they prepare for the implementation of Awaab’s Law.

The Government has confirmed that the new scheme will prioritise remediation of damp, mould, and structural safety issues. Details on application processes and funding timelines are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

A Step Towards Safe and Decent Homes

Housing campaigners, tenant organisations, and industry professionals have broadly welcomed the announcement, describing it as a long-overdue shift in policy. However, many stress that funding alone is not enough, it must be accompanied by robust oversight, fast deployment, and clear guidance on the law’s enforcement.

Sonia Murton, Director at Westbury FM, welcomed the move:

“This cannot come soon enough and needs to start with the elimination of damp and mould from social housing association property portfolios. Awaab’s Law will only succeed if housing providers are properly resourced to act decisively. This fund is a step in the right direction, but now the focus must shift to delivery, compliance, and long-term prevention.”

Thanks for reading,

Sonia Murton – Westbury FM – sonia.murton@westburyfm.co.uk

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

References: Inside Housing

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As we edge closer to the implementation of Awaab’s Law this October, the Housing Ombudsman for England has issued a stark warning about “simmering anger” among social housing tenants due to persistently poor living conditions.

The statement follows mounting frustration from residents experiencing issues such as persistent damp, mould, infestations, and long delays in repairs, problems that have now become a central focus in the national conversation on housing justice.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Richard Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman, said he has “never seen so much anger” among tenants, describing the widespread dissatisfaction as the most intense in over a decade. He attributed this discontent to both the sheer volume of unresolved issues and the systemic barriers tenants face when raising complaints with their housing providers (The Guardian, 2025).

Tenant Complaints at Record Highs

Complaints about damp and mould, unsafe living conditions, and poor complaint-handling procedures have surged dramatically. The Ombudsman’s office dealt with over 5,000 maladministration findings in the past year alone, with more than 2,000 of these involving delays or poor handling of repairs. This represents a growing disconnect between tenants’ lived experiences and the responsibilities of their landlords.

The Relevance of Awaab’s Law

This growing unrest underscores the vital need for robust enforcement of Awaab’s Law, a landmark piece of legislation inspired by the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, who died from prolonged exposure to mould in a social housing flat in 2020. The law mandates strict timeframes for landlords to identify and resolve hazards, such as damp and mould, shifting the burden of responsibility squarely onto housing providers.

As previously outlined by Westbury FM, under Awaab’s Law, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) will be legally required to act swiftly when tenants report Category 1 hazards such as excessive damp or structural risks. Failure to do so could result in financial penalties and reputational damage.

Proactivity is Now Essential

The Ombudsman’s message is clear: housing providers must move from reactive to proactive maintenance. Blakeway calls for better leadership, systemic reform, and increased tenant engagement to rebuild trust. This echoes our guidance at Westbury FM, where we have continually emphasised the importance of preventative maintenance, data-driven property inspections, and tenant education.

A Moment for Change

Blakeway’s comments come at a pivotal moment. As public awareness and scrutiny of housing conditions rise, the expectation is that landlords must not wait for legal action to compel change; they must embrace the moral and operational duty to ensure homes are safe, decent, and habitable.

We encourage all RSLs to take heed of the Ombudsman’s warnings and prepare rigorously for the incoming legislation. Tenant voices are growing louder, and with good reason. It’s time for the sector to rise to the occasion.

If your organisation needs guidance on compliance strategies, Westbury FM is here to help you navigate this new era of social housing accountability.

—

References: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/29/housing-ombudsman-for-england-warns-of-simmering-anger-over-living-conditions

Thanks for reading,

Sonia Murton – Westbury FM – sonia.murton@westburyfm.co.uk

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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This morning’s devastating report by LBC News tells the heartbreaking story of another young child lost due to mould exposure in poorly maintained social housing. The tragedy unfolded in Hampstead, London, where a baby ingested toxic mould spores in a council property described by inspectors as unfit for habitation. This senseless loss echoes the circumstances surrounding the death of Awaab Ishak, and starkly reinforces why Awaab’s Law, coming into force this October, cannot come soon enough.

A Pattern That Must Be Broken

This is not the first time we have warned about the dangers of unchecked damp and mould in social housing. At Westbury FM, we have consistently called attention to the systemic neglect in property maintenance that endangers vulnerable tenants. In my previous articles:

• The Dangers of Poor Ventilation and Mould and Damp in Social Housing – I highlighted how poor ventilation and a lack of root cause analysis often lead to recurring mould problems.
• Tackling Damp and Mould: Practical Solutions for Social Housing Landlords – I laid out clear, actionable strategies for proactive maintenance.
• Why Proactive Maintenance Matters in Social Housing – I made the case that prevention is not only more humane but also more cost-effective.

And most recently, in [Awaab’s Law: A Defining Moment for Social Housing – Are You Ready?], I explained why this new legislation marks a pivotal shift from guidance to legal obligation, demanding rapid response times, enforced hazard categorisation, and preventative inspections.

A Legal and Moral Obligation

When Awaab’s Law takes effect in October 2025, it will impose strict deadlines on Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to resolve damp and mould hazards. Properties affected by excessive damp and mould will be legally classified as ‘non-decent’, placing landlords at risk of regulatory action, financial penalties, and reputational damage if they fail to address the issue.

But the absolute imperative here is moral. No child should ever die because their home was not safe. No family should have to bury a child due to a problem so preventable. The recent Hampstead case illustrates that despite the public outcry after Awaab’s death, many landlords still have not learned the lesson or taken the necessary action.

Time for Sector-Wide Accountability

The English Housing Survey found a three-point rise in damp issues in social homes since 2019, representing the steepest increase of any tenure. This should have prompted immediate action, but evidently, we are still waiting for enforcement to drive change.

Awaab’s Law represents not just a legal standard, but a wake-up call. The days of slow responses and tenant blaming are over. The law affirms that landlords are responsible for ensuring homes are healthy, habitable, and free from avoidable hazards.

Westbury FM’s Call to Action

At Westbury FM, we are already supporting housing providers in adapting to this new era of accountability. From implementing regular inspections to HHSRS compliance audits and data-driven maintenance strategies, we help our clients stay ahead of risk while enhancing tenant well-being.

We urge all social landlords to take proactive steps now, not in October, not after another tragedy has occurred. Compliance must not be the end goal. Safety, dignity, and health for every tenant must be ensured.

Turning Tragedy Into Change: We Owe It to Every Child

These children’s lives were priceless. Their deaths were preventable. Let them not become statistics buried in reports but catalysts for lasting change.

If you are a housing provider and want to ensure your portfolio is compliant with Awaab’s Law, we are here to help.

Let’s make sure this never happens again.

Contact:
Sonia Murton
Westbury FM
sonia.murton@westburyfm.co.uk

—

References

1. English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023: Housing Quality and Condition – Gov.uk. Available here
2. Awaab’s Law Coming into Force – What it Means for Housing Providers – Construction Management. Available here
3. Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): Guidance for Landlords and Property-Related Professionals – Gov.uk. Available here
4. Damp and Mould: Understanding and Addressing the Health Risks for Rented Housing Providers – Gov.uk. Available here.
5. Devastated parents claim mould-ridden flat contributed to baby’s death, as government slammed for Awaab’s Law delays: LBC News. Available here.

Thanks for reading,

Sonia Murton – Westbury FM – sonia.murton@westburyfm.co.uk

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From 2029, all UK fire doorsets must comply with the European fire-resistance test method EN 1634, replacing the British Standard BS 476 Part 22.

Why Is This Happening?

The change to Fire Door Testing Standards aligns the UK with European testing methods. EN 1634 is more rigorous and better reflects real-life performance.

For facilities professionals, asset managers and housing providers, this means:

• Reassessing current door stock
• Choosing suppliers who understand the new standards
• Ensuring long-term compliance beyond 2029.

All fire doors in your buildings, including those with self-closing devices, should be regularly inspected, with a minimum frequency of every six months and more frequently in high-traffic areas or newly installed doors.

Why are fire door inspections important?

Safety: Fire doors are a critical component of a building’s fire safety system, and regular inspections ensure they function correctly to contain fire and smoke.

Legal Compliance: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 place a legal duty on responsible persons to maintain fire safety measures, including fire doors.

Preventing Damage: Regular inspections can help identify issues early, such as worn hinges, damaged frames, or faulty self-closing mechanisms, preventing them from failing in a fire.

Protecting Lives: Ensuring that fire doors are in good working order is essential for protecting lives and property in the event of a fire.

How often should fire doors be inspected?

• Minimum: At least every six months.
• Newly installed or in newly occupied buildings: More frequently, potentially monthly, to ensure proper settling and identify any early issues.
• High-traffic areas: More frequent inspections are recommended, potentially weekly or monthly, as these doors are likely to experience more wear and tear.
• Multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 meters in height: Fire doors in communal areas should be checked quarterly, and flat entrance doors should be checked annually.

What should be checked during a fire door inspection?

• Visual inspection: Check for any signs of damage to the door, frame, or hardware.
• Functionality: Ensure the door closes properly and that the self-closing mechanism is working correctly.
• Hardware: Inspect the hinges, closers, and other hardware for signs of wear and tear or damage.
• Seals: Inspect intumescent seals and other fire-resistant seals for damage or deterioration.
• Signage: Ensure that fire doors are clearly marked with the appropriate signage.

What This Means for You

If you manage or maintain buildings, especially in social housing, you’ll need to:

• Plan ahead for replacement or upgrade cycles
• Review your current supply chain
• Ensure that any new fire door installations are future-proofed to meet EN 1634.

How Westbury FM Can Help

Westbury FM is already ahead of the curve.

• BM Trada-Approved: We’re certified under the Q-Mark Fire Door Installation and Maintenance Scheme. That means all our fire doors are installed and maintained to third-party-verified standards.
• In-House Joinery: Our team designs and builds bespoke fire door sets in our own workshop. We don’t rely on third parties, so we can guarantee quality and compliance at every step.
• Self-Delivered Services: From installation to inspection and ongoing maintenance, all services are handled by our own trained engineers.
• Sector Knowledge: We work closely with social housing providers, local government, and the education sector every day. We understand your compliance pressures and help you stay ahead of them.

Arrange a Fire Door Survey & Inspection: All fire doors in your facility, including those with self-closing devices, should be regularly inspected, with a minimum frequency of every six months and more frequently in high-traffic areas or newly installed doors. Following an inspection, we’ll issue a Fire Door Inspection Report Checklist with Action Points and a Proposed Schedule of Works needed to achieve compliance. When installing fire doors, we follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant industry standards. Each third-party certified fire door includes a certificate data sheet and specific installation guidelines. Adhering to these instructions is essential to ensure the installation meets compliance requirements.

Why Act Now?

2029 sounds far off. But the shift to EN 1634 will affect tenders, refurbishment projects, and regulatory checks well before then. Choosing a partner who is ready now will save time, money and risk later.

🟠 For more updates on industry news and best practices, stay connected with Westbury FM by following our Company Page on Linkedin. or Contact Us here.

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