Third damning report into housing body
A HOUSING watchdog has issued a THIRD damning report on a failing South Side housing association.
Thistle Housing Association, which owns or factors hundreds of properties in Toryglen, has again faced a scathing review from the Scottish Housing Regulator.
It comes after the Evening Times exposed scandalous failings during a 14-week publicly funded upgrade programme at 600 homes... which is still underway nearly four years later.
Now the regulator says it has found even more instances of Thistle’s “serious and historic failures” in complying with regulatory standards.
These include tenant and resident safety; financial health; governance and board skills; asset management; and failure to provide accurate information to the regulator.
Included in the report is mention of an incident in April this year when, as we told, roof tiles fell from one of the refurbished blocks of flats in the community.
An independent survey found incorrectly fitted tiles in 34 of the 35 properties involved.
Remedial work has been carried out an a further report is expected this month.
The roof work was part of a £6million energy upgrade programme using Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government money.
Thistle has been found
– after dozens of complaints from furious residents – to have mismanaged the contract.
Relations between the housing association and tenants broke down to such an extent that Thistle bosses called the police about complaining tenants, who have since been vindicated by the housing regulator’s findings.
The housing body’s latest report also finds that in June this year Thistle provided inaccurate information about its management of asbestos to tenants and residents and to the regulator.
The report reads: “The governing body extended the scope of the review to include Thistle’s management of Legionella.
“Our assessment is that there are serious historical weaknesses and failures in Thistle’s approach.”
An improvement notice has been issued to the housing association and it has until November 15, 2019 to comply.
The report adds: “In August 2019 with support from the statutory manager, Thistle commissioned expert independent reviews into its compliance arrangements for asbestos, electrical, fire, gas, lift and water safety.
“The review identified substantial systemic weaknesses in Thistle’s approach to fulfilling its landlord compliance obligations for all six areas.”
In response to repeated requests from the Evening Times, Thistle has consistently said that remedial works for the energy contract will not cost any additional money.
However, the report states: “Thistle told us the remedial work required to the roof installations completed under the major works investment contract will incur significant costs additional to its planned investment.
“Thistle had previously provided incorrect information to tenants, residents and ourselves that there would be no additional cost as a result of remedial work on the contract.”
The housing association will now have to find a way to pay for remedial works with residents concerned this will be passed on to them in rent and factoring increases.
In August last year the Evening Times told how the housing regulator had uncovered serious financial and management failings at Thistle HA, which owns and manages 947 homes and factors a further 786 for owners.
It parachuted in six members of experienced housing staff – a manager and five senior staff – to try to help turn the failing association around.
One year on, the watchdog published a follow up report detailing how the organisation was being further investigated for “serious failures”.
These included issues with health and safety; financial health; governance and board skills; asset management; and failing to provide accurate information.
A further four experienced housing workers were appointed to Thistle’s governing body by the housing regulator.
A spokesman for Thistle Housing Association said: “Thistle continues to work closely with the Scottish Housing Regulator to address all of the areas highlighted within the updated engagement plan.”
‘‘ The review identified substantial systemic weaknesses