Module 7 of 7 · about 5 minutes
Who’s responsible for what in housing, care and hospitality, including Awaab’s Law, and why same-day reporting matters.
Reviewed by the ThermoPest technical team · Last reviewed October 2026
Who's responsible for dealing with bed bugs depends on where they're found. Employers must protect their staff and the people affected by their work. Landlords must keep rented homes fit to live in, and from 30 November 2026 social landlords in England must deal with significant pest hazards within set timescales under Awaab's Law. Hotels and other accommodation providers owe their guests a duty of care. In every setting, the frontline job is the same: spot the signs, record them and report them the same day.
The rules differ from sector to sector, but they have one thing in common: once your organisation knows about a problem, it’s expected to act on it. As a member of staff, you’re often how it finds out.
Who’s responsible for what
Protect staff, and residents, guests and visitors affected by your work (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974).
Deal with significant pest hazards within set timescales under Awaab’s Law, from 30 November 2026.
Keep homes fit to live in. Councils can inspect and require improvements. HMO managers keep shared areas clean.
A duty of care to guests: take the room out of use, check the rooms around it, keep records.
Clean premises and proper hygiene under CQC standards. Residents may not be able to report bites.
Can require verminous premises to be cleaned and the pests destroyed (Public Health Act 1936).
England. Awareness only, not legal advice. Your organisation decides what happens next.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must protect their staff and, as far as reasonably practicable, other people affected by their work, such as residents, guests and visitors. In practice that means having a way for staff to report pests, acting on what’s reported, and not asking staff to treat infestations themselves. Councils can act too: under the Public Health Act 1936, a council can require the owner or occupier of verminous premises to clean them and get rid of the pests.
Awaab’s Law sets legal timescales for social landlords in England to investigate and fix hazards in tenants’ homes. The first phase, from October 2025, covered damp and mould and emergency hazards. The second phase, from 30 November 2026, adds further hazards, including domestic hygiene hazards such as pest infestations. A third phase is expected in 2027. The government is also consulting, until 18 December 2026, on extending Awaab’s Law to private rented tenancies and to accommodation occupied under licence, such as supported housing and temporary accommodation for homeless households.
Awaab’s Law: when it applies
Applies to social housing in England. Your organisation decides how a pest problem is categorised.
The clock starts as soon as the landlord is aware of a potential hazard, including when a member of staff or a contractor notices it on a visit. For a hazard the landlord judges significant: investigate within 10 working days; give the tenant a written summary within 3 working days of the investigation; make the home safe within 5 working days of the investigation concluding; and begin, or take steps to begin, any further work within 5 working days of the investigation concluding (and within 12 weeks at the latest). Emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours. Your organisation decides which category a pest problem falls into.
The clock for a significant hazard
Includes staff noticing it on a visit.
Within 10 working days.
To the tenant within 3 working days of the investigation.
Within 5 working days of the investigation concluding.
Begin within 5 working days, and within 12 weeks at the latest.
Numbers are working days. Report signs the same day so your organisation can meet its timescales.
This module is a summary for awareness only and is not legal advice. It covers England. Check your organisation's policy and the latest government guidance.
This is a summary. The full module, quiz and certificate are free for frontline staff in housing, care and hospitality. Register to unlock the full lesson, worked examples, downloads and your certificate.
Register free to unlock the full lessons, the quiz and certificates, and get a team link for your staff.
Talk to Gavin, our commercial account manager, about how we can help.
Commercial enquiries
Have a quick call with Gavin, our commercial account manager, about how we can help.
Prefer to call? 0808 189 2310
Enter Your Details To Request A Call Back
