Applications open for MHCLG Social Housing Resident Panel as sector prepares for Awaab’s Law
29 August 2025
Awaab’s Law, debated in Parliament on 21 July 2025, is named after Awaab Ishak, who tragically died aged two due to prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing. Credit: Lena Maximova / Shutterstock.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has opened applications for social housing tenants to join the MHCLG’s Social Housing Resident Panel until 23:00 on 7 September 2025.
The Resident Panel is designed to give social housing residents a direct route to engage with ministers and officials, so that their views and experiences help inform social housing policy and delivery. Applications can be made here.
According to the MHCLG, the Resident Panel will give members the opportunity to:
- Provide feedback on government housing policies and proposals.
- Share their experiences and insights on social housing issues.
- Participate in discussions and research activities with Ministers and officials.
It comes amid widespread calls for legal duties on social landlords to address hazards, which has been concretised into Awaab’s Law, due to come into force in October 2026.
Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver and Farleys’ Kelly Darlington represent Awaab’s family.
Eligibility and Applying for the MHCLG Social Housing Resident Panel
The panel consists of social housing residents, including those who live in homes for social rent, affordable rent, and low-cost home ownership.
New panel members will be selected to join existing panel members, to ensure the Panel is representative of different regions, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.
Interested residents can apply to join the panel through the MHCLG’s form.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 7 September, at 23:00.
Christian and Kelly said: “The Social Housing Residents Panel provides an important opportunity for residents to give their views on policies from the resident’s perspective and push for vital changes. It brings together a range of lived experiences, helping to make sure these perspectives are heard and considered in discussions about housing policy.
Being part of the panel is a chance for those living in social housing to have their voices heard and to play a role in shaping policy. Its existence is an important step towards developing stronger, more responsive social housing policies.”
Additional media
Garden Court North Chambers – Ministry of Housing’s draft guidance on Awaab’s Law an “important and long-overdue step towards protecting tenants”
Manchester Evening News – ‘No one in this country should have to live in a home that leaves them sick’
Farleys’ – Applications Open for MHCLG Social Housing Residents Panel
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
