Crumbling flats warning
Report warns rogue landlords and lack of repairs threatening a crisis
ROGUE landlords and bad management are causing increasing problems as run down and crumbling tenements drag areas back into the 1960s, according to a report published today.
It says the worsening condition of tenement flats and closes risks undoing good work carried out since the 1970s to improve sub-standard properties.
This affects not only residents in the closes concerned but often whole neighbourhoods because sub-standard housing has an impact on the wider community.
Our Crumbling Tenements says there are at least 17,500 sub-standard flats in the west of Scotland. The report claims many need substantial investment to bring them back up to a decent standard, but such work is no longer being done.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to speak today at a conference on the topic being held by Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF), which compiled the report after surveying its members.
From the 1970s, grants enabled tens of thousands of tenements to be improved by helping owners who wished to upgrade their property and to housing associations which took over and improved flats.
However, the report says “since the start of the 21st century, this work has ground to a halt.”
GWSF’s report says this is not just a Glasgow issue, with some of the worst examples coming from the Paisley area in Renfrewshire. The report says problems are caused by private owners who can’t or won’t spend the money needed to maintain common areas, by a lack of effective management in many tenements, including unfactored closes, and a policy focus on new provision rather than maintaining and improving existing housing.
The study, to be launched at Govanhill Housing Association, says concerted action is needed from owners themselves and from national and local government, in partnership with local housing associations, to tackle the growing number of badly-neglected privately-owned tenements.
David Bookbinder, GWSF director, said: “Everyone recognises that these are challenging times financially, but for some tenements, if nothing is done, it really will feel that we’ve gone back full circle to the 1960s and 70s.
“In some respects there’s a temptation to say these are privately owned tenements and it’s down to the owners to sort out their own problems. But we know that things can get to a point where housing conditions can blight whole areas.”
He said a partnership between the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council is making and will continue to make a big difference to tenements in areas like Govanhill, Dennistoun, Queen’s Cross and Easterhouse.
Discussions in Renfrewshire are also being held to address the issue.