Tories warn over housing in disrepair

Councils are failing to use powers to ensure homes are safe and in good repair, the Scottish Conservatives have warned.

Freedom of Information figures obtained by the party show a drop in the use of measures by local authorities to improve sub-standard properties when owners fail to do so voluntarily. Councils can serve work notices requiring owners to bring a house into a reasonable state of repair or issue maintenance orders.

Only six councils this year used the work notices compared to 12 in 2012. Housing spokesman Graham Simpson said: “Eighty per cent of our housing stock will still be in use in 2050, so it is vital it is well-maintained to ensure people are safe and warm.”

Graham Simpson says housing must be maintained