602 Damp and Mould Complaints in One Year in Southwark – up 21%

An FOI from the Liberal Democrats has revealed that complaints to the Council in relation to damp and mould issues had climbed to 602 in one year – up from 498 in 2022. 

A recent council report also confirmed that health issues associated with damp and mould were amongst the top diagnosed health issues in the borough.

This is despite the Labour-run council claiming to have brought in changes to the service since an Ombudsman report highlighted the council as being one of the worst in the country, and made a series of recommendations for improvements. 

This also comes in the wake of a devastating judgement from the independent Regulator of Social Housing, giving it the second lowest grade available to it, prompting “concern” from the Government. 

The Housing Ombudsman has also repeatedly been forced to call the council out for repeated instances of “severe maladministration” in handling complaints. 

Recent cases include one instance of a man suffering a collapsed lung after enduring 8 years of damp and mould issues. Southwark council also made national headlines following reports that a single mother of four had also endured black mould for years, leaving her children with nosebleeds and breathing problems. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Cllr Emily Tester said:

“This new data just shows that once you get past Labour’s spin, what the reality of living under the worst landlord in London is really like. Despite multiple warnings from the Ombudsman, former secretary of state, and now the independent Regulator of Social Housing, this Labour council has refused to listen and take action. 

The impact that damp and mould has on the health and wellbeing of residents cannot be overstated, especially on children, so it’s incredibly concerning that the problem in Southwark’s council housing has only got worse”