A GLASGOW politician has launched a bid to crack down on rogue factors who rip off householders.

A GLASGOW politician has launched a bid to crack down on rogue factors who rip off householders.

Gordon Jackson, who is hoping to retain his Govan seat in next month's election, is consulting on a Bill that would force property management firms to register before they can operate.

And it could end misery for thousands of people who try unsuccessfully to sack their factor and employ a replacement.

More than a third of all homes in Scotland are in shared buildings - multi-storey flats, tenements, "four in a block" or tenement houses.

In Glasgow, which has thousands of homes in Victorian terraces, that figure rises to more than 96%.

Many tenements have appointed factors to look after common repairs like roofs, close lighting, general cleaning and maintenance.

Mr Jackson says some homeowners have a factor forced on them when they move into a property.

When people try to question bills, they get no answer. And if they refuse to pay suspicious charges, they are sued.

He says it's time for people to have more say in who manages their homes.

"When I first looked into this, I was amazed to discover property managers are by and large unregulated.

"Yet they enjoy a position of significant power, trust and influence in relation to homeowners across Scotland.

"Many people complain about excessive invoices, with high rates of compound interest and penalty charges.

"Some do not know why they are being charged for certain things and when they ask for proof they receive none."

Often the only solution is to fight the companies in the small claims court but most people can't get legal aid for a lawyer, while companies can afford the best legal advice.

Mike Dailly, senior solicitor at Govan Law Centre, helped Mr Jackson draft legislation which would force all property managers or factors to register in a similar manner to the laws that control rogue landlords.

This would allow councils to strike off companies which are not up to the job.

Mr Dailly said: "Irresponsible factors have been ripping people off for too long.

"We see a worrying number of householders taken to court over debts that just don't seem reasonable."