While in recent years there has been a huge emphasis on improving the social housing stock in the city, there has been a need to tackle rogue elements within the private rented sector.
Legislation is not burdensome but is there for a good reason – to ensure the safety of those renting from private landlords.
New rules on houses in multiple occupancy were brought in after an Evening Times campaign following the death of two students in a fire in Glasgow, and landlord registration is there to ensure the unscrupulous are kept out.
If they are cutting corners to save costs and maximise their profit they should not be in the business and, as in the case we report today, the council should take action to protect tenants.
Far too many properties are still in an unacceptable state requiring action to bring them up to the standard that people expect.
Tenants need to be able to report failings in the knowledge that action will be taken and those unsuitable will be kept out of the industry allowing the decent majority of landlords to get on with the job.
