Letting agent picketed over fungus-filled flat
Get tougher on rogue landlords, demand protesters
14.09.2017 Housing campaigners staged a protest outside a letting agents they accuse of failing tenants.
Living Rent activists say the firm must get tougher on landlords whose buildings are in a state of disrepair.
The group claims it has spoken to families concerned about damp, mould and wiring at f l ats managed by Castle Residential.
Craig Paterson, of Living Rent, has demanded that rent and fees be returned to those he maintains are living in unfit homes.
He said: “We have spoken to one couple who are living in a basement flat covered with mould.
“It ’ s been dubbed the ‘ mushroom house’ due to the size of the fungus growing out of almost every surface.
“We picketed the letting agents and had been successful in securing a meeting between bosses and the tenants.
“This building has been slammed by environmental health, who have given Castle Residential 21 days to fix the problems or shut it down.”
Castle Residential, based on Paisley’s Causeyside Street, describes itself as “Glasgow and Renfrewshire’s premier sales and letting agents”.
Around a dozen Living Rent members demonstrated outside the office on Saturday.
The business manages scores of properties across the country, including the flat affected in Nithsdale Road, Glasgow, which sparked the protest.
Castle Residential says the landlord has agreed to quash the lease with immediate affect.
A spokesman said: “As managing agents, we advised the owner that she has a duty of care to having a house fit for purpose.
“We have been trying to work with both landlord and tenant to find a resolution to the issues within the property, but, as managing agents often do, we find ourselves caught in the middle and try to mediate as best we can.
“We do sympathise with the tenant’s situation but also appreciate the cost of the works and that the landlord has to arrange finance for such major works.
“As this was not a quick and low-cost repair, the owner did wish to go through the process of obtaining quotes and deciding how best to resolve this issue.
“In relation to the dampness issue, an extensive repair amounting to £8,300 is currently being undertaken at the property as we speak.
“We also encourage tenants to use their powers and contact environmental health, should they feel they wish to use the council’s services and power to enforce certain works.”