Derelict Glasgow flats empty for years to be taken over by council in compulsory purchase orders

One of the flats has not been in use for more than 15 years, while others have failed to carry out essential maintenance for more than a decade.

The flats have been an eyesore for neighbours and some have attracted anti-social behaviour.

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If the CPOs are approved, they will be bought by the council and handed over to housing associations in the city to be refurbished and let to tenants.

One property is in Penilee, one in Pollokshields and two in Govanhill.

A flat at 73 Rylees Crescent, Penilee, has been empty since September 2006, so long ago that Tony Blair was still Prime Minister and a Labour-led government was in power in Scotland.

Colin Mearns (Image: Newsquest)

George Gillespie, Glasgow City Council executive director of neighbourhoods, said in a report to councillors: “The property is creating a blight on the area and is attracting antisocial behaviour. The property is the focus of persistent complaints from the local community and elected members.”

The council notes the joint owner was contacted in 2020 about work that needs to be done.

Mr Gillespie added: “Despite receiving assurance from the owner that essential repairs would be carried out to the property, no action has been taken and this larger family property remains a constant source of complaint and concern in the area.”

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The plan is to take it over then transfer it to Wheatly Group for social housing.

Flat 2/2 at 4 Melville Street, Pollokshields, has not been properly maintained by the owners.

Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns)

Works were done by the council under a statutory intervention in 2020 but the owner did not appoint a factor or implement a maintenance plan and it has not been occupied since.

But Mr Gillespie noted in the report the flat “remains a source for anti-social behaviour activity putting the council’s substantial investment in the property at risk”.

It will be transferred to Southside Housing Association for social housing.

A flat at 0/2 35 Westmoreland Street in Govanhill would have been left out of major common repair work in 2013 - carried out by other flat owners - when the owner failed to take part. However, the council stepped in to ensure it was completed.

Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns)

It has not been let since 2017, when the landlord’s registration expired, and is said to be in poor condition.

The council said the flat has been “abandoned” by the owner but it is occupied by people who have no tenancy agreement and who do not pay council tax.

The council will rehouse the occupants and transfer the flat to Govanhill Housing Association to repair it then let it out.

A flat at 0/4 94 Allison Street, Govanhill, has failed a tolerable standard test but the council has not been able to track down the owner.

Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns)

It is said to have been “lying abandoned for a number of years and is in poor condition failing both the repairing and tolerable standards".

It will also be transferred to Southside Housing Association.