Katy recently met students at Glasgow University to hear about their housing issues, particularly the difficulty many students have had in getting their deposit back at the end of a lease.  Katy is campaigning to introduce a National Tenancy Deposit Scheme, in which the deposit is held by a third party untl the lease ends.  A similar scheme works well in England and it could help hundreds of tenants in Glasgow North to avoid disputes with landlords when they move flats.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Pringle has also raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for action on this issue.

Tavish Scott MSP took time out from canvassing in the Glasgow East by election yesterday to hear about the housing problems of Maryhill residents.

As part of the launch of his Liberal Democrat leadership campaign, he was keen to learn more about the concerns of local people. Katy Gordon, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Glasgow North, and Tavish visited Marie McDonald and her daughter, who bought their home in Maryhill under Right to Buy legislation several years ago. Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) are now in the process of knocking down all the housing in their area in a 12 year rebuilding programme and are dragging their feet on offering Mrs McDonald alternative accommodation.

Tavish said:

“This illustrates the need for investment across Glasgow and Scotland in affordable housing to take place as quickly as possible. I was amazed to find out that it’s going to take 12 years to complete this regeneration.”

Katy added:

“While there is a lot of focus on new affordable housing, it is also important to look after the homes we already have. A lot of residents across the constituency have problems with common repairs being carried out late, badly or overcharged for. Many tenants struggle to get deposits back from unscrupulous landlords.

“It is time to look at making it easier for residents and tenants to get their voices heard. Mrs McDonald has been in limbo for nearly 2 years now and it is time for GHA to resolve the situation.”

LIBERAL Democrats in Glasgow North are calling for government action to tackle the growing shortage of affordable homes. The call was made after Katy Gordon met leading affordable housing campaigner Julia Goldsworthy MP at the party’s recent Spring Conference in Liverpool.

“I know that many people in Glasgow North have difficulty finding an affordable home,” said Katy. “Many young people are stuck in the parental home unable to move out. Many young families cannot afford to move to the larger home they need.

“The plans agreed by the Liberal Democrats would help those on council and housing association waiting lists to get the home they need at the price they can afford.

Julia Goldsworthy MP said, “I was pleased to be able to discuss housing with Katy. Across the country, the Government has failed to ensure there is enough social and affordable housing available. The Liberal Democrats have now agreed plans that will ensure we have enough homes for all.”

Commenting after a debate at the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference in Aviemore on meeting Scotland’s housing needs, Ms Gordon said:

In addition to building more affordable homes, we must maintain and upgrade the quality of the housing stock we already have.

Three quarters of households in Glasgow, more than any other Scottish town or city, have shared responsibility for common repairs, including roofs, closes and common open spaces.

Many flat dwellers live in a vicious circle where fear of the cost of major repairs puts owners off leading to accommodation descending into an even poorer state of repair, which in turn further exacerbates the fear of high repair costs.

A typical Glasgow tenement of eight flats could be worth in the region of million pounds. We must help owners and tenants maintain the fabric of their buildings to protect the value of the property.