From the outside, 97 Westmoreland Street in Glasgow’s Govanhill looks like just another tenement building. However, inside tells a different story, with the structure having fallen into significant disrepair.
The area used to be a hotspot for rogue private landlords renting out uninhabitable flats, and the block of eight flats had to be taken over by a mandatory purchase order back in 2019.
Govanhill Housing Association (GHHA) now owns the building, having approved a £1.36M refurbishment contract for 97 Westmoreland Street, which is known as “notorious slum” flats in the area. The project is awarded to Morris & Spottiswood, funded by the Scottish Government in partnership with Glasgow City Council.
Govanhill Housing Association chair and local resident, Keith Kintrea, said: “This new contract with Morris and Spottiswood represents one of the final pieces of the puzzle of the South West Govanhill project to acquire, repair and re-let properties that have fallen into disrepair after years of neglect in the private sector.
“We know that there is still work to be done in Govanhill; nonetheless, the Association has made incredibly significant improvements to housing conditions over the last decade.”
Why did 97 Westmoreland Street fall into such disrepair?
In short, because of rogue landlords exploiting migrants who have just moved to the country after the year 2000, who may not have been aware of their rights as tenants yet.
This led to the overcrowding of the area, making for unsafe living conditions. As a result, by 2010, Govanhill became Scotland’s most densely populated neighbourhood.
Because of the situation, Enhanced Enforcement Areas (EEAs) under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 was created, giving the local authorities more power when it comes to the private rented sector.
As a result, the property prices have officially risen in Govanhill, with brighter days ahead.
Duncan Thomson, private sector group manager at Glasgow City Council, said: “”The refurbishment of the tenement property at 97 Westmoreland Street will be welcomed by all parties who have played a part in the regeneration of Govanhill.
“This contract will bring back into use a building which was a focus of attention for many people and agencies, for all of the wrong reasons, over a period of too many years. Albeit there may still be work to do in the area, the restoration of this tenement is a major achievement and will provide more high-quality social housing for the local community.”
