Free Webinar – Awaab’s Law, and five years of ‘fitness’

In 2025 the government introduced ‘Awaab’s Law’, setting out strict time periods for remedying serious hazards in the social housing sector. One of the aims of the Renters Rights Act is to introduce similar provisions to the private rented sector.

2025 also marks five years since the ‘fitness for human habitation’ covenant was implied into existing tenancies.

This webinar will explore the changing landscape of housing conditions law, with these two developments particularly in mind. There will be guidance on practitioners on how to litigate and enforce Awaab’s Law, as well as reflections on the implementation of the ‘fitness’ provisions. The panel will consider the ongoing use of ‘lifestyle’ defences in damp and mould dispute, damages in ‘fitness’ cases, and tips and strategies for disrepair disputes.

Speakers 

Ricky Blennerhassett, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)

Ricky is a housing and public law barrister. He has a particular interest and experience in all areas of housing, including homelessness and public law accommodation related areas such as community care. Ricky accepts instructions in the full range of housing matters, which includes defending possession claims in their various forms, including on ASB grounds, homelessness appeals, disrepair claims, succession, ASB injunctions and committals.

Catherine O’Donnell, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
Catherine is a member of the Housing and Civil Teams. Since coming to the bar, she has built up extensive experience in a range of courts and tribunals, including the Court of Appeal, and has dedicated her practice to defending individuals’ economic, social and human rights. Catherine’s housing practice spans the whole range of tenancy and housing matters, includes possession (anti-social behaviour, rent, breach of tenancy, tenancy status, sub-letting, succession, beneficial interests, public law), anti-social behaviour injunctions, unlawful eviction, and disrepair. She is regularly instructed in complex possession trials, especially those involving mental health issues, where she brings to bear her extensive knowledge of disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. She also acts and advises in the whole range of homelessness work, including county court appeals and claims for judicial review.

Marina Sergides, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Marina Sergides specialises in all aspects of social housing law. She has extensive experience in nuisance possession proceedings, section 204 homelessness appeals, unlawful eviction and harassment claims, disrepair claims, judicial review, human rights, public law defences, disability discrimination and ASBO in the civil courts. Marina is Co-Chair of the Housing Law Practitioners Association, along with Simon Mullings. She regularly speaks at housing law conferences, has written for Legal Action Magazine. Marina was a lecturer in housing law at London South Bank University and is a contributor to Housing Law Handbook: A Practical Guide (2nd edition).

Reserve your online ticket
If you have booked an online ticket, we will send joining details to all those who have signed up on the day of the event. If you have not received the link by 2pm on Tuesday 20 January, and it is not in your junk inbox, please email webinars@gclaw.co.uk.