The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has revealed a sharp increase in reported incidents of mould and flooding across Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) over the past two years, according to data provided in response to a written parliamentary question.
The figures, presented by Minister for Veterans Al Carns, show a concerning upward trend in damp and mould cases within SFA. Incidents rose from 3,780 in 2022 to 5,225 in 2023, an increase of nearly 40%. Notably, some of the highest monthly reports occurred in January 2023 (1,204 cases) and November 2022 (1,157 cases).
Reports of mould in SLA also displayed a significant surge, with totals rising from 1,083 incidents in 2022 to 2,463 in 2023 – more than doubling in a single year. Monthly peaks included November 2023 (305 cases) and June 2023 (241 cases), reflecting widespread issues across accommodation facilities.
Damp and Mould Reported in SFA
| Month | 2022 (Number of incidents) | 2023 (Number of incidents) |
|---|---|---|
| January | – | 1,203 |
| February | – | 592 |
| March | – | 534 |
| April | 176 | 341 |
| May | 326 | 325 |
| June | 268 | 192 |
| July | 225 | 193 |
| August | 207 | 201 |
| September | 215 | 199 |
| October | 389 | 408 |
| November | 1,157 | 575 |
| December | 817 | 453 |
| Total | 3,780 | 5,225 |
Damp and Mould in SLA
| Month | 2022 (Number of incidents) | 2023 (Number of incidents) |
|---|---|---|
| January | – | 223 |
| February | – | 240 |
| March | – | 216 |
| April | 74 | 119 |
| May | 126 | 216 |
| June | 132 | 241 |
| July | 134 | 163 |
| August | 93 | 155 |
| September | 99 | 167 |
| October | 153 | 233 |
| November | 171 | 305 |
| December | 101 | 183 |
| Total | 1,083 | 2,463 |
Fire and Flooding Trends
While fire incidents in SFA remained relatively low, increasing slightly from 12 in 2022 to 15 in 2023, flooding incidents displayed a marked rise. Flooding reports increased by nearly 50%, rising from 214 incidents in 2022 to 318 in 2023.
| Month | 2022 (Flooding) | 2023 (Flooding) | 2022 (Fire) | 2023 (Fire) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | – | 59 | – | 2 |
| February | – | 33 | – | 1 |
| March | – | 34 | – | 0 |
| April | 9 | 16 | 3 | 2 |
| May | 14 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| June | 18 | 21 | 2 | 3 |
| July | 20 | 18 | 1 | 2 |
| August | 12 | 25 | 1 | 1 |
| September | 25 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| October | 10 | 29 | 2 | 2 |
| November | 25 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| December | 81 | 30 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 214 | 318 | 12 | 18 |
The sharp increase in damp and mould reports across both SFA and SLA underscores ongoing challenges with housing maintenance. Fire incidents remained stable but highlight the need for vigilance, while the notable rise in flooding incidents indicates further infrastructure issues.
Minister Carns clarified that figures for fire incidents include “smells of burning or a melted plug,” while flooding data encompasses “incidents inside the property, garages, and outhouses.” He further noted that figures prior to April 2022 were unavailable due to the transition to Future Defence Infrastructure Services contracts.
The data reflects a broader issue within military accommodation, raising concerns about living conditions for service personnel and their families.
Good news
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced a landmark deal to buy back 36,347 military homes in an effort to improve accommodation for forces families and save taxpayers billions of pounds. The agreement reverses a controversial 1996 sale of military housing and will result in annual savings of £230 million on rent payments.
The state of military housing has been a growing concern, particularly in recent years, with reports of damp, mould, and other substandard living conditions. The MOD highlighted that the 1996 deal prevented vital improvements, stating that any significant upgrades could increase rental costs under the terms of the contract.
Healey acknowledged these challenges: “It is shameful that in the lead-up to Christmas, too many military families will be living with damp, mould and sub-standard homes – issues which have built up over the past decade.”
Government reacquires over 36,000 military homes to cut costs
Forgive me but, I’m not seeing the actual increase, the 2022 reporting only seemed to cover 9 months, the 2023 reporting covered 12 months which gives the increase .
Yeah UK houses are more susceptible to mould due to the environment climate that the UK is in
These problems were there in the 70s usually when pay was low and energy was expensive. Occupants would dry clothes indoors rather than tumble dry to save energy….you get mould.
They were not insulated back then with single glazing
TBH probably no worse than in the rest of the rented sector in the U.K…
It’s almost like something happened where only the upper class can afford to run the central heating anymore. Green parties were truly the Soviets most successful saboteur groups into the West.
When MoD sold the SFA to Annington in 1996 because they considered housing non-core MoD business, they should have transferred responsibility for maintaining the properties to Annington, ie transfer the risk. They didn’t – MoD undertook to maintaining the properties for the 200 years of the lease-back!
Now MoD threatens to increase rents to help pay for mould alleviation.
This story just gets worse and worse.
Now, like most people on UKDJ I have no trouble commenting on things I don’t know anything about… Mould “might” be caused by drying clothes indoors but only if you don’t open a window or door. I had mould in my last property and it was caused by an over efficient double glazing not allowing the room to breath. The source of moisture was my own respiration. So said the expert sent round to check – on the mould not my mouth. True, I have a big mouth, but hey, that’s why I’m on this forum! So let’s not take swipes at people in situations we don’t understand, chaps and chapesses, eh? Even the lowliest erk needs a decent house. They don’t all store coal in the bath, either. Although I did know a family that did, but that was in the 1950s!
Oh an I agree, those statistics are useless – comparing apples and pears and complaining about a lack of tomatoes.