FOUR Glasgow housing associations have failed to meet the national standards, it has been revealed.

The Scottish Housing Regulator confirmed five social landlords across the country had been confirmed as "working towards compliance" with its annual risk assessment, with four - Blochairn, Cadder, Calvay and Reidvale - operating within the Glasgow area.

In its report, the regulator set out the main areas it focussed on in its risk assessment this year.

It highlights some of the risks and challenges facing tenants and other service users including rent affordability and the availability of appropriate temporary accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness.

The report also outlines the range of challenges social landlords face including rising costs and inflation, and ensuring compliance with obligations to ensure warm, safe and dry homes. A total of 31 housing associations are working with the regulator to improve standards.

Reidvale, which lets out almost 900 properties, is receiving assistance with governance and financial management.

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The regulator confirmed an almost four-year-long engagement with the landlord had identified a number of areas for improvement, however, the most recent review last year confirmed “continued non-compliance”.

As part of the agreement, Reidvale is seeking a partnership with another RSL as well as improving investment in tackling failing stonework in pre-1919 properties.

A spokesperson for the landlord said: “Reidvale Housing Association is working closely with the Scottish Housing Regulator on the range of compliance failings that we have identified.

“We have a plan in place for addressing these to ensure we move towards full compliance. “As part of this plan, we are exploring a potential transfer of engagements to another housing association to test whether this could offer a better future for our tenants and other customers.”

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Blochairn Housing has also been alerted to issues in its governance and financial management as well as tenant and resident safety.

The investigation revealed the landlord did not have a business plan nor did it comply with electrical safety requirements.

The regulator concluded housing chiefs must push forward with Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) in all properties to resolve the issue as well as devise a plan on how it proposes to tackle “weakness” in its governance.

The regulator said Blochairn was working actively to resolve the issues and cooperating with its requests.

Similarly, Cadder Housing was also listed as having problems with governance and financial management.

An independent investigation in 2022 into “potentially serious allegations” found several areas for improvement within the housing association.

The regulator said: “The independent investigation upheld some of the allegations, including that there was failure to operate within respective governance roles, a lack of transparent decision making, weaknesses in procurement and management of conflicts of interest.

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“The report also noted the need for improvement in the strategic management of Cadder’s community centre to achieve its reopening and future viability.”

The regulator also reported concerns about the financial management of Cadder Community Centre in the East End.

Pamela Milne, Cadder chief executive, said: “Like every other housing provider we are deeply committed to serving our community through the delivery of high-quality affordable homes, a good repairs service and an unwavering commitment to improving our neighbourhoods.

“We acknowledge the issues raised by the Regulator and are making huge efforts to reach compliance.”

Finally, Calvay housing is another with issues relating to governance, however, it also reported problems with its development plans.

The regulator said: “The failures include lack of effective oversight by the management committee, significant gaps in the skills and knowledge of management committee members including its understanding of its role as an employer, weaknesses in the management committee’s handling of its relationship with the senior officer and potential breaches of the code of conduct by management committee members.”

The regulator confirmed Calvay was working “constructively” to meet compliance.

Overall, 131 registered social landlords (RSL) were compliant with an additional three under review as well as the five who were listed as “working towards compliance”.

A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed it was working with the housing associations who had not met the standards but was not using its statutory powers with any RSL.

John Jellema, assistant director of regulation, said: “We are continuing to experience challenging economic times including a cost-of-living crisis which is leading to significant hardship for many people, including some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“Many landlords are experiencing significant inflationary pressures for example in relation to construction and maintenance costs. They will also face a range of major new demands on them in the coming years such as net zero carbon commitments in addition to building new homes to meet the demand for social housing.

“This year, in our engagement with social landlords we will continue to focus on how landlords are managing these challenges. So, it remains important that social landlords have an up-to-date and robust business plan, is alive to all of the risks they may face and have adequate risk management and mitigation measures in place. This will help to ensure that the interests of tenants and other service users are protected.”