Glasgow's Trinity Tower has been deemed 'dangerous' and 'unsafe' months after its feared collapse.
Around 100 households living close to the A-listed structure in the Park Circus area were forced to evacuate during Storm Malik.
Residents were given just 30 minutes to grab essentials after the storm triggered a movement sensor in one of the three towers at the building signaling that it was in danger of collapse.
In the months since, evacuees have been living in 'limbo' with no idea when they would be allowed to return home or to collect any possessions.
The council has now issued owners with a dangerous building notice under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 and told them that it must remain vacant until 'there is no longer a danger to anyone occupying it'.
It's hoped that the exclusion zone, which currently includes streets surrounding the tower, will be scaled back to allow some of those affected back into their homes while the repair is undertaken.
A spokesperson for the Park Action Group Evacuees, Reg Clayton, said that it was 'unclear' why the notice wasn't served when the evacuation initially took place.
They told Glasgow Live: "We're no clearer on the situation now but the notice isn't great news for those living in the Tower as it means they're likely to be out for a considerable period of time.
"Those not living in the Tower have been told that we could get back on April 28 but nothing is set in stone.
"People are still very concerned about their short-term leases and whether they'll have to pay for another month if this keeps dragging on. We're clinging onto that date."
He added: "We're not sure why the notice has been issued now when the building has been made safe but not before. I'm not convinced the building is any less safe than it was before the storm - I've seen no justification for it.
"We were told it was a 'moderate risk' for a short period of time and now two months later we have got a section 30 notice going on.
"The repairs are going to be hugely expensive."
The council has said that permanent repairs must be made to the most dangerous parts of the buildings, including the failed south wall of the west tower, and will be assessed and approved prior to anyone being allowed back in.
As part of the notice, a work commencement and completion date must be issued.
It's now hoped that residents in the Tower will be able to get into their properties to collect belongings after the stabilisation is complete.
A statement on Glasgow City Council's website explains: "The owners' repair proposals will be assessed and approved by the council and we will carry out site inspections, on an ongoing basis, to ensure the work is adequate to make the building safe. In this case, the notice will specifically require the structural integrity of the failed south wall of the west tower to be reinstated.
"Crucially, under the Act, the building must remain vacant until there is no longer a danger to anyone occupying it."
