More than 700,000 homes in Scotland have been classified as unfit for habitation, with a staggering 600,000 additional properties falling below the legal tolerable standard since the pandemic, The Herald has revealed.
Official surveys conducted for the Scottish Government show a dramatic rise in the number of homes failing to meet minimum living standards, surging from 54,000 (2%) in 2018 to 729,000 (27%) in 2023.
The “tolerable standard” is considered a critical threshold, indicating that a property is no longer fit for people to live in. Local councils have the authority to enforce repairs, issue notices demanding improvements, or even impose closure or demolition orders to prevent occupation of substandard homes.
Mould and Damp Crisis Across Scotland
Analysis suggests that around 270,000 Scottish households are battling mould, while 81,000 properties suffer from rising or penetrating damp.
However, campaigners argue that the true scale of the problem is underestimated due to insufficient data tracking.
Calls for “Awaab’s Law” in Scotland
The crisis has reignited concerns over a north- south divide in housing legislation.
In England and Wales, the tragic death of toddler Awaab Ishak in a mould-infested Rochdale flat led to the introduction of tough new laws compelling landlords to fix damp and mould within strict deadlines. However, these protections do not apply in Scotland.
A petition has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament, urging ministers to introduce Awaab’s Law for Scotland, which would mandate private and social landlords to investigate and resolve damp and mould issues within legally defined timeframes and to high-quality standards.
Legal Reforms Drive Spike in Failing Homes
The soaring number of homes deemed unfit for habitation is believed to be partly driven by legal changes introduced in February 2022.
Under new Scottish housing laws, properties must now be fitted with smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors to comply with minimum safety requirements.
The legislation aims to reduce fire-related deaths, injuries, and property damage, but has also pushed many more homes below the legal standard.
As Scotland grapples with a deepening housing crisis, campaigners are calling for urgent reforms to improve living conditions and hold landlords accountable.
