The SNP have been accused of dangerously neglecting tenants after the scale of damp and mould in Scotland’s social housing sector was revealed.
Freedom of Information requests by the Scottish Conservatives have uncovered more than 160,000 complaints – in the 22 councils where figures were provided – since the SNP came to power.
And, given that the country’s largest local authority – Glasgow – was among 10 councils that did not respond, the true figure for damp and mould-ridden homes is almost certainly far higher.
Shadow housing secretary Meghan Gallacher highlighted the damage caused by the SNP’s cuts to social housing and council budgets.
Scottish Conservative shadow housing secretary Meghan Gallacher MSP said: “These figures should be a source of shame for SNP ministers, who have crippled our local authorities since they first came into power, leaving them without the resources needed to deliver safe homes.
“Living in a home with damp or mould is not only extremely distressing for tenants, it can lead to complicated health conditions.
“It is completely unacceptable that hundreds of thousands of reports have been made regarding damp or mould in our social homes.
“Remember, we also have 300,000 Scots on social housing waiting lists – so we have a double whammy of not enough homes in the first place and too many of those we do have being not fit for purpose.
“Scotland is in the midst of a housing emergency and the SNP are dangerously neglecting tenants. Housing minister Paul McLennan must get his act together and ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to a safe and affordable home.”
Notes to editors
Since 2007, there have been over 160,000 reports of damp and mould in socially rented homes across Scotland. According to a series of freedom of information requests obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, there have been 160,503 reports of damp and mould in socially rented homes across Scotland since the SNP came to power in 2007. Of these 160,503 reports, 34,787 were in Aberdeen City, 24,216 were in Edinburgh, 17,860 were in Renfrewshire (these complaints were reported from 2006 to 2024), 9,977 in South Ayrshire, 9,901 in North Ayrshire and 8,357 in Aberdeenshire. Of the 32 local authorities who were contacted for this information, 10 councils including Glasgow did not respond which suggests that the true figure is much higher. (Scottish Conservative Research, 10 February 2025, available on request, spreadsheet attached). The figures for Borders come from the housing associations which provide social housing locally (Scottish Borders Council, Accessed 11 February 2025, link).
There are more than 300,000 people on social housing waiting lists in Scotland. Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives have indicated that there are 327,585 people currently on social housing waiting lists. Glasgow City Council had the largest number of people with 36,186 people on the waiting lists. The only council which did not provide the requested data was West Dunbartonshire Council. (The Times, 29 May 2023, link).
The Scottish Government declared a housing emergency in 2024. The Government’s announcement came during a debate at Holyrood. (BBC News, 15 May 2024, link).