Increased support for Govanhill tenants

Additional powers have been given to Glasgow City Council to tackle problems in the private rented sector in Govanhill.

An application has been approved to designate a further 14 tenement blocks in Govanhill as an Enhanced Enforcement Area (EEA). It follows a previous EEA granted in the area in 2015 covering four tenement blocks.

The new powers permit the right of entry to properties that are subject to complaints from residents about the way they are being managed by private landlords. This will help the council identify persistent problems including poor environmental standards and overcrowding.

Other powers include the ability to obtain an Enhanced Criminal Record check from private landlords and request documents for inspection, such as gas and electrical safety certificates.

Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart said:

 “This new Enhanced Enforcement Area will help Glasgow City Council to continue to improve conditions for even more private tenants in the Govanhill area.

“The success of Govanhill’s first EEA is clear. During initial inspections only 21 properties within the area met the Repairing Standard requirements.  Now, through the council’s ongoing engagement with landlords, 175 properties met the standard on their second inspection.

“The additional powers will ensure the council can intervene directly on housing problems faced by residents in the area.

“I am committed to improving conditions for tenants in the private rented sector and this further designation will help ensure that people are living in good quality private rented homes and landlords take their responsibilities to the people they home seriously.”

Councillor Mhairi Hunter, Co-Chair of Glasgow City Council’s Govanhill Taskforce, said:

“I am delighted the council has received the go-ahead to build on the success of the first Enhanced Enforcement Area in Govanhill. This is great news for people in Govanhill.

“The first EEA has led to a wide range of improvements within the ‘four blocks’.  Action has been taken against failing landlords, properties have brought up to standard, the number of property factors appointed has almost doubled and there has been a drop in anti-social behaviour.

“The extended EEA will give us the tools to tackle rogue landlords in a further fourteen blocks and help us improve the rest of South West Govanhill.

“Govanhill is a diverse, vibrant community loved by many. The council is committed to the long term regeneration of the area and extending the EEA is vital step on the way to achieving that.”

 Background information:

The 14 tenement blocks are located in the following streets:

Albert Road, Allison Street, Annette Street, Bankhall Street, Belleisle Street, Bowman Street, Calder Street, Cathcart Road, Daisy Street, Dixon Avenue, Garturk Street, Langside Road, Victoria Road and Westmoreland Street.

The area is contained within:

Victoria Road to the West;

Cathcart Road to the East;

Calder Street to the North and

Dixon Avenue to the South.

Repairing Standard information:

/publications/repairing-standard/

EEA information:

/publications/enhanced-enforcement-areas-scheme-scotland-regulations-2015-local-authority-guidance/