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Within the European Union, the Portuguese middle classes are among those who complain the most about problems with their homes. Complaints range from leaking roofs to damp walls, rotting window frames, a lack of light and noise issues.
According to a study by Expresso newspaper, more than a fifth (21.8 percent) who are not at risk of poverty, complain of water infiltration, citing data from Eurostat. The European average is situated at 11.2 percent, and only in Cyprus is the percentage of people higher when it comes to complaints about roofs and ceilings that let in water and the dampness of the walls.
Despite Portugal being one of the sunniest countries in Europe, it is at the same time one of the countries where people complain most about a lack of light. However it is noise (from neighbours or coming from the street) that is the biggest nuisance for the middle class, giving rise to 22.7 percent of complaints.
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I can confirm the title. People who don't have to live there all year avoid it in the winter. The article forgot to mention the lack of heating in all the damp houses. That is by far the worst part of the houses. It is a great place to get arthritis and pneumonia in those cold apartments and houses.
By Warm in other from Other on 12 Dec 2021, 13:22
And among the most expensive in Europe for the average Portuguese person! All of that and more due to their lack of vision and a narcissistic love for a Government that the majority supports time after time! So, they just get what they choose: generalized corruption, unaffordable housing, an indebted and sold country, and generally poor life quality except for natural beauty, huge albeit poorly used resources and an envious climate!
By Tony Fernandes from Other on 12 Dec 2021, 14:53
I thought some houses were bad... Until I moved to London.
It looks like we just complain more than in London
By Denise Silva Silva de Sousa from UK on 12 Dec 2021, 22:17
Portugal is fortunate to have so many historic buildings that look good. But 75 years ago Portugal began to move away from an agrarian economy, and moved off the land. Those picturesque stone houses have tiny windows and shutters to repel the summer heat. But unless you live in the Algarve winters are cold and damp. The average Portuguese person can't afford a small furnace or winter heating bills. Not sure what the answer is except wool socks and sweaters.
By Joáo from Alentejo on 13 Dec 2021, 01:16
Yes minimum wage is 500€ yes we have a currupted government yes there is dampt in beach areas. But the main reason houses have this conditions it's because of rent laws they say someone can live in a house forever what happens is we have people that pay 3 to 5€ rent p/month would you refurbished a house that gives you 5€ p month? Portugal has a lot of wonderful places and decrepit ones just like every where else in the world.
By Ana Veronica Da Silva Anastacio from Other on 13 Dec 2021, 06:42
I have been trying to hire a carpenter for, literally, 6 months to help with these sorts of issues in my home. No one calls back or shows up when they say they will. No one. It has felt like I've been asking for an extra internal organ. But, apparently, mediocrity is just the normal way to operate. Like most things in this country, if people wanted to do the jobs they're hired for, things would function more smoothly as a society. I have resigned myself to the leaks, damp and cold as there is no other choice. Maybe next year!
By Ian from Beiras on 13 Dec 2021, 08:43
Portugal is a very well developed country, but mostly in the mais cities, where the vast majority of the population is gathered.
Aside from those main cities, the rest of the country is pretty much remote, with poor transportation or connections to the cities, and habitated mostly by old people. And, obviously, that's where we find the worst houses with the more severe problems.
In the cities, some houses and apartments have issues related to moisture and humidity, but mostly because people don't properly air their houses properly.
By Luis from Lisbon on 13 Dec 2021, 09:25
Also a big problem is the lack of damp proof coursing in new properties. Visited Cabanas de Tavira and all apartment buildings have damp signs or damage. This is a problem within the building industry.
By Isa from UK on 13 Dec 2021, 10:41
What is with these clickbait headlines? Do you have news to report? Then write about it fairly, with balance and context. TAP the worst airline, Portugal the worst houses, you sound like FOX news trying to stir up rage. Please stop. We don't need more rage. Don't bring the crazy into Portugal.
By SusanL from Porto on 13 Dec 2021, 10:42
Noticed the same thing, for a malfunctioning and damp house, 120 m² though, my friend pays a hefty 750 per month in Odivelas, not the best part of Lisbon. Most houses I have seen, even hotels, offer poor quality fittings, windows, no insulation or cavity walls, old geating systems and a huge lack of sustainability. Still a long way to go.
By Jacques De la Haye from Other on 13 Dec 2021, 10:47
Where I came from, it's unthinkable that the wind can blow in your face when the window is closed. In Portugal, it names - D energy-saving certificate.
By SS from Porto on 13 Dec 2021, 10:59
There are numerous problems with the comfort of old(er) homes in Portugal. First there is the mindset or complacency of: winter is short, we can put up with the cold & damp for a few months, then there is the building code laws; where builders are not ordered to place proper insulation, windows and materials to guard homes from these issues, and then there is the cost of gas, electricity and other utilities to make heating & cooling affordable to homeowners. If these separate issues could be worked on - this wouldn't be a topic of conversation.
By Gary Mendes from USA on 13 Dec 2021, 16:35
If Portugal is sooo bad how come so many English people retired here and buy houses here..I was born in England and it cos of your great doctor that I disabled.,and if England is so great they need to stop asking Portugal for money and help
By Sonia Santos from Algarve on 13 Dec 2021, 20:20
The traditional building method of concrete, clay brick and sand cement render is a cold, damp disaster so we build our own steel framed , highly insulated home using no cement or wet trades.
By Stephen Clarke from Algarve on 13 Dec 2021, 21:02
Jeez this is all a bit negative. My home is a ruin in Grocinas but I will fix it up. Portugal is beauuuuuuuutiful it is like living inside a renaissance oil painting.
Here is the problem and here is the solution, the houses are beautiful but poorly insulated. The solution is to line them with cork insulation boards a Portugese manufactured product. Think about it. While I am at it Gru from Despicable Me is Portuguese and he studied Physics at Coimbra University, I am claiming him for Portugal OK.
By David-Paul Newton-Scott from UK on 13 Dec 2021, 21:32
Well, my experience is that I've had more than a few plumbing issues. From burst pipes to under-sink drain hoses cracking. As for the damp, I expected it considering that, at best, there is only a split-mini A/C system in a home... or radiant heating. So I bought a large dehumidifier. So far, that's done wonders to keep the damp at bay.
By David from Porto on 13 Dec 2021, 23:05
Portuguese people here might be a bit defensive of their housing. It's just a damn house not your flag. I'm glad to have the information so I can get ready to do what I need to do to be comfortable in the winter. Thank you very much William from Vancouver.
By William Williams from Other on 14 Dec 2021, 04:25
Insulation, ventilation and heating. We came from NZ where it was damp most of the time. Airing the house everyday and maintaining good ventilation offset mold issues. Heating was by way of a Woodburner. The builders in Portugal are way behind on building methods, with little or no insulation.
By Ian from Lisbon on 14 Dec 2021, 08:05
It's not only poor insulation; it's poor interior design, and a LOT of corruption - e.g. mixing sea sand with cement and then using tiles to push it all down. It's obvious that the humidity and cracks in the walls will eventually show up. And no, opening windows is not enough. The damp is inside the walls and try as you may, if construction if miserable, it will show - especially in the Algarve where you will find the worst construction in terms of quality. If only there were correct monitoring and a serious will to end this bad construction!
By K from Algarve on 14 Dec 2021, 15:42
I don't understand why some Portuguese are so defensive when people try to address a certain problem. I love Portugal, but that doesn't mean that everything here is perfect and I shouldn't talk about things I hope to improve.
In most buildings, there are only one layer of hollow bricks, that's why heat lost and noise from neighbours come through easily. The walls usually have no dam-p proof course, which means rising damp would come through the soil. When I asked builders about these, they only suggest to redo the plastering and cover it with water-resistant paint, but that alone would only trap the humidity inside the bricks. That's why you can see black marks of the brick patterns outside the walls.
Poor quality of mortar is a big problem. I've seen cracks and rain infiltration even in new-built houses.
By Charlton from Lisbon on 24 Jan 2022, 00:06
So I come from South Africa. I see Portugal as a poorer more backwards country than South Africa. For one yes housing here is the worst weather you rent or buy. It’s one of the most expensive places to live when it comes to rent or purchasing a property. And sorry to say rental here is astronomically expensive more than in France, rent where I live has jumped from €1700 to €3500 in the last 1.5 years for a 3 bedroom in the apartments I live in. Then your landlord also fixes absolutely nothing. It’s also your responsibility to buy light fixtures as your home will come with no lights. Secondly ensure all appliances work like the stove and oven as that will become your problem to fix or replace. Then also they have such lack of maintenance that your must pray your electrical board doesn’t short circuit and you stuck to fit the bill. So here I will say it doesn’t really matter where you live, coastal or in land you will have mould issues as no one basically cares to maintain their properties.
By Alethea from Lisbon on 24 Jan 2022, 07:01
I came to this article and read the entire comment section because of this: I wanted to find out what is exactly the problem with buildings in Portugal. Why do they all look damp and mouldy? New and old ones, in the city and at the countryside. My apartment building is 5 years old! Not more not less. The second year around I got huge rain/flood damage. It’s been years in the court back and forth who will pay for the damage. In the meantime the damage was fixed and then it rained and got damaged again. The damage never gets fixed right. Nothing gets done well. The workers come in your house and leave more mess and dirt than there was before. Everything they construct is done poorly: heating, insulation, staircases, windows, windowsills, bathrooms, kitchens, height of bathroom and kitchen fixtures, etc etc. if your house pays for a doorman, he is NEVER there. If there is a fire alarm (super loud!!!!) in the whole building, there is absolutely not a chance to track the responsible person to come and check and stop it: his answer when I finally got him on the phone: it’s Sunday!
The truth is, there is way below mediocre working and service ethic in basically everything they do!
By Ella from Lisbon on 03 Nov 2023, 13:49