NEW plans to “safeguard the future” of hundreds of dilapidated tenement buildings include a crackdown on unhelpful private landlords.

Almost 300 tenements built before 1919 in Ibrox and Cessnock are being targeted for vital repairs by Glasgow City Council and Govan Housing Association.

Last year it was revealed the cost of restoring over 46,000 tenement flats across the city, built pre-1919 and deemed dangerous, could hit £2.9bn.

Standards need to be raised across the private rented sector, a council report states. The plan, to be considered by councillors on Tuesday, also includes introducing factoring and bringing empty homes and abandoned shops into use as social housing.

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Initial work will focus on 699 flats in six blocks bounded by Midlock Street, Brand Street, Harley Street and Paisley Road West. More than half of the properties in these blocks are privately rented.

“It is envisaged that a significant number of these properties will fail to meet the required property standards or not hold the relevant certificates,” Richard Brown, the council’s executive director of regeneration and the economy, said.

Owners who are willing to carry out repairs must appoint a property factor on completion, put a maintenance plan in place and agree to common building insurance.

The housing association currently factors 32 of the 73 tenement buildings in the six blocks. The aim is for all properties to be factored within the next three years.

Compulsory purchases could be used if owners are unwilling or unable to carry out necessary repairs.

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In April, the council agreed to compulsory purchase six properties on Ibrox Street and Harley Street, where the buildings had been declared dangerous. They will be transferred to the housing association and converted into social housing.

“This is a positive step as it will help to eliminate incidents of anti-social behaviour and tackle environmental blight in the area,” Mr Brown said.

Landlord registration will be used to “tackle poor practice and non-compliance”, with the council using new regulations to seek ‘prescribed information’ from private landlords.

This will allow the authority to seek documents relating to fire, gas and electrical safety, smoke and heat detection, energy performance and building insurance. Property inspections will be carried out if landlords fail to provide the correct certificates or if there are concerns about property standards.

“Landlords will be notified where their properties do not meet the required standards and they will be given time to carry out the necessary repairs before further action is taken,” the council report states.

“If the property does not meet the Tolerable Standard then a closing order will be issued. Tenants will be notified in such cases and offered assistance with rehousing if necessary.