Residents of an Ibrox flat block have launched a campaign against their factor over claims the building is covered in mould and doesn't have a functioning buzzer system.
Living Rent is working with the tenants and homeowners of the building on the corner of Fairley Street and Copland Road who are demanding action to address the issue.
Over 75% of the building's residents have signed a list of demands sent to the building's factor James Gibb Residential Services.
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They claim that there has been no functioning buzzer system for several years which causes "massive inconvenience around deliveries and has even meant that ambulance and fire crews have struggled to gain access during emergencies".
Leaks, water ingress, mould, and dampness are also said to be rife throughout the building. Living Rent claims that water leaks have damaged the belongings of residents and have forced some to be decanted while repairs have taken place.
Resident and Living Rent member Nathan Donachie said: “The buzzer system for the 76 properties in our building hasn’t worked for several years.
"It’s not only a massive inconvenience for everyone who lives in the building but it endangers the lives of everyone who lives here. In 2021, during the lockdown, my flatmate suffered a medical emergency relating to his diabetes which left him in a very vulnerable state. The ambulance crew couldn’t gain access to the building because of the broken buzzer which meant I had to leave him on his own while I went to the ground floor to let them in.
"The paramedics gave him the help he needed but we don’t know what would have happened if I wasn’t there. It’s a nerve-wracking feeling to know that anyone living in our building might not get the help they need in an emergency.”
Resident and Living Rent member Paula McDowell added: "The mould and dampness in the building is a disgrace. There is a patch of mould outside the front door of my flat which stretches for twice the size of my living room.
"That stuff is really toxic and it’s getting breathed in by a hundred-odd people who live here. Not to mention the amount of water which regularly leaks into people’s homes because of issues with the building’s roof.
“James Gibb [Residential Services] collect their factoring fees every month. We need them to do the proper work and repairs to resolve these issues as soon as possible so that the building we call home can be a healthy environment for everyone staying here.”
As well as a list of demands, campaigners hung a banner from the block to protest the ongoing problems.
A delegation of Living Rent members will be visiting James Gibb's office on June 29 to discuss their demands which include bringing the buzzer system into working order for all properties in the building; carrying out all necessary works to resolve the building’s problems with leaks, water ingress, mould and dampness; ending the practice of charging debt collection fees to those not responsible for debts and to reduce the factoring fees to an affordable sum and securing the staircase carpeting so that it does not regularly cause a tripping hazard.
A spokesperson for James Gibb Residential Services said: "We fully understand the concerns of the tenants and are sympathetic to the position they find themselves in via the lack of action by the property owners/landlords.
"James Gibb is the property management agent, managing the development for and on behalf of the duty holders/landlords that own the properties and common areas in the development. For years now we have had failed attempts to engage with the duty holders (landlords/property owners) to have them resolve the tenant’s issue.
"It must be understood that the legal system in Scotland and position of a property agent/factor (that do not own the building or are the beneficiaries of asset improvement), imposes on a factor a legal requirement to consult and seek agreement from the landlords of the properties being rented out. This is confirmed in the titles of the property and the Property Factors Act 2011. If the property owners do not engage, agree to the work, or physically pay funds, then by law we have no legal authority to instruct the work. In addition, if they do not pay funds, we have no funds available to pay for the work.
"Very recently we have managed to engage with a duty holder/landlord that owns 50% of the properties being rented out. They have admitted their poor communication with James Gibb to date and agreed to assist James Gibb and the tenants to seek the solution we all wish to achieve.
"Hopefully, the tenants now realise that the responsible individuals for the development issues are the property owners/landlords/letting companies and note that James Gibb have been attempting to resolve these issues direct with the property owners, who are the duty holders/responsible persons."
