Health and safety in the home

The safety of the homes we manage and the people who live in them is a priority for us as a landlord. We deliver a programme of regular safety and compliance checks in homes and shared spaces so that we can find and fix any safety risks as quickly as possible.

You can read more about how we do this in our Building Safety Policy.

If you have a concern about the safety of your home or building you live in, you can:

• Call: 020 8937 2400
• Email: bhmbuildingsafety@brent.gov.uk
• Speak to your Area Tenancy Manager or any other Brent Housing Management Service staff when you see them out and about in your neighbourhood.

As your landlord we are responsible for carrying out regular checks, called Fire Risk Assessments (FRA’s), in all buildings we manage that have shared spaces e.g. hallways or landings. These checks are done by a qualified specialist and include things like:

• looking for possible fire hazards
• checking if alarms, emergency lighting and firefighting equipment are available where needed and in working order
• checking if fire safety and evacuation information signs are in place.

If you would like to see a copy of the most recent Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) for your building, you can email bhmbuildingsafety@brent.gov.uk to request it.

You will receive a gas safety check in your home at least once every 12 months. This check is carried out by a qualified Gas Safe Engineer.

It’s important that you let us in to your home to carry out this gas safety check to protect your safety. If you do not allow us into your home for this, we can take legal action against you to gain access.

For more home gas safety tips, you can visit the Gas Safe Register website.

Water is essential for your comfort and safety at home, and we’re committed to making sure your supply is clean, reliable, and well-managed. Below you’ll find important information on water hygiene, what to do if your supply is interrupted, and how to respond to leaks or burst pipes.

Damp and mould usually happen because of leaks, poor ventilation, or condensation. If left untreated, mould can affect your health and worsen conditions such as asthma.

Under the new Awaab’s Law, Brent Council now has a legal duty to investigate and fix damp and mould quickly, especially where there could be a risk to your health or safety.

What is Awaab’s Law

Awaab’s Law came into force on 27 October 2025 and ensures that all social housing is safe, healthy and free from serious hazards.

It is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died in 2020 after exposure to damp and mould in his home.

The law requires councils and housing associations to respond quickly when residents report issues such as damp, mould, leaks or other hazards. 

How to report damp and mould

If you are a Brent Council tenant and notice any of the following, please report it as soon as possible:

• leaks or plumbing issues
• cracks in walls or ceilings
• broken windows or ventilation
• any condition that affects your health or safety

You can report any of the above repairs online.

If you have damp or mould that keeps coming back, even after taking the steps to remove and prevent it, you can call us: 020 8937 2400.

Your report helps us act quickly and keep your home safe.

How Brent will respond to damp and mould

When you report emergency hazards or damp or mould, Brent Council will:

• assess your report within 24 hours, using photos or a video call where possible
• investigate significant damp or mould within 10 working days
• carry out work to make your home safe within five working days of the inspection
• plan or start any further repairs within five working days
• begin all follow-on works within 12 weeks at the latest.

We will also:

• provide a written report and action plan within three days of our visit
• keep you updated throughout
• support you if the level of damp or mould is significant and temporary steps are needed.

These timescales are legal requirements under Awaab’s Law and are designed to protect tenants and ensure every home is a safe, healthy place to live.

Your home will receive an electrical safety inspection at least once every 5 years. This means that a qualified engineer will visit your home and:

• check switches, sockets, power outlets, light fittings and the main fuse board to assess for any damage or faults that could be a safety risk
• carry out tests to the electrics in your home and make sure that protection and prevention against fire hazards and electric shocks (earthing and bonding) is in place and working properly.

We also carry out regular testing and checks to electrics in shared spaces, including emergency lighting in hallways and landings and electrically powered gates.

If you need to report a problem with the electrics in your home or building, please call or email us.

Asbestos is not a danger to your health if it is in good condition and is left undisturbed. Worn, exposed or damaged asbestos material may release fibres into the air that can cause harm if you breathe them in.

To identify whether a building has asbestos, we carry out surveys in shared spaces across the blocks we manage. We do not survey individual homes for asbestos unless we are carrying out works in the property that require us to check for it, or when that property becomes empty.

You must not carry out any alterations or improvements in your home without first getting our written approval (this is a condition of your tenancy agreement with us). This is because, if asbestos is present in your home, proper controls are needed to reduce exposure to you, your family and anyone else who might be visiting or carrying out work.

If you are concerned about asbestos in your home or you want to request permission to carry out home improvements, you can contact us on 020 8937 2400 or use our Contact us form.

It’s important that you take responsibility for helping us to keep your home and any spaces you share with your neighbours as safe as possible. To do this, you must:

• allow access to your home for servicing and safety checks when needed
• report repairs and safety concerns to us as soon as possible and/or notify emergency services if it is an emergency
• request permission before making any major improvements or alterations to your home
• let us know about any changes to your, or anyone else in your households, needs which mean they might need help to evacuate in an emergency (if living in one of our high-risk blocks as listed in our Building Safety Policy
• regularly clean showerheads and tapes to prevent build up of limescale
• make sure to run water through taps in your home regularly and especially when you come back from being away from your home for several days.

You must not:

• store, use or create any materials that can burn or cause explosion in your home, on a balcony or in any shared space
• leave or store items (including, but not limited to, pushchairs, mobility scooters, plants, clothes driers, rubbish etc.) in shared spaces
• lock, fasten or block an emergency door
• use electrical outlets in shared spaces (including for charging electrical bikes or scooters)
• make any changes to shared spaces e.g. painting or other decoration.

Personal property damage or loss

Whilst we are responsible for fixing any damage to the building you live in, your personal belongings and items inside your home are your responsibility.

We recommend that you have contents insurance in place to provide cover for any damage or loss of personal items in the event of an emergency e.g. fire or flood.

If your personal belongings have been damaged or lost following an emergency event, you should contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report this damage. Keeping and taking photos of the damaged items can also be helpful in progressing your insurance claim.