Residents in Southside Central in Glasgow make over 770 damp complaints to council in last four years

A council ward in Glasgow has reported more than 770 instances of damp and water leakage in their properties over the last four years.

People living in Southside Central, which includes Govanhill and the Gorbals, have made 773 complaints to the council about dampness and water ingress in homes over the last four years.

The next area with the highest number of cases is Anderston, City and Yorkhill with 454 complaints.

The lowest amount of complaints were in Baillieston, with just 20 recorded over the period.

Across the entire city’s 23 council wards, there were 5,006 reports made to Glasgow City Council’s environmental health team between October 26, 2020 and the same date in 2024.

Expressing concern about the situation in the Southside Central ward, which she represents, local councillor Soryia Siddique, Labour said: “The number of damp, mould and condensation incidents impacting Glasgow’s housing stock is concerning. Southside Central is particularly stark.

“In 2022, an English coroner found that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died of a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his home. In response a law requiring damp and mould to be dealt within a fixed time limit was introduced in England. It is becoming apparent there is a need for a Scottish Awaab’s Law.”

The figures came to light after Labour councillor Saqib Ahmed asked a question about which areas are most affected by dampness, condensation and mould.

Last month, it was reported that the council’s environmental health teams ordered action over dampness at 105 homes in Glasgow during the first six months of this year.

SNP Councillor Graham Campbell warned housing associations are not responding to mould issues quickly enough.

Total numbers of dampness, rain penetration and water penetration in Glasgow over the last four years per council ward.

Linn – 122
Newlands/Auldburn – 120
Greater Pollok – 88
Cardonald – 163
Govan – 400
Pollokshields – 376
Langside – 323
Southside Central – 773
Calton – 204
Anderston, City, Yorkhill – 454
Hillhead – 334
Victoria Park – 154
Garscadden/Scotstounhill – 152
Drumchapel/Anniesland – 141
Maryhill – 81
Canal – 109
Springburn/Robroyston – 129
East Centre – 133
Shettleston – 136
Baillieston – 45
North East 102
Dennistoun – 266
Partick East/ Kelvindale 201

Total – 5,006