Scotland damp and mould landlord regulations

In late 2026, Scotland prepared to implement the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 to address damp and mould in rented properties. Prior to the rollout, data from the Scottish Housing Regulator showed that social housing landlords had resolved over 40,000 cases, with condensation cited as the cause for 52% of reopened issues. While the regulations aimed to protect tenants, advisory boards warned they might deter investment or cause private landlords to exit the market.

Upon the regulations coming into force in October 2026, strict timelines were established for landlords and letting agents. These rules, named after Awaab Ishak, require a competent person to investigate reports within 10 working days. Landlords must then provide a written summary to the tenant within three working days and, if substantial issues are found, commence repairs within five working days of the investigation.

For social landlords, repairs must be completed within 20 working days, whereas private landlords must act as soon as reasonably practicable. The mandate requires addressing underlying causes rather than merely cleaning surface mould. Industry experts have noted that compliance will require updated internal procedures and may face challenges regarding the availability of specialist contractors in rural areas. The legislation also extends to rural estates and farm businesses providing tied housing.