PILES of rubbish, discarded household items and waterlogged areas have lead to a rat infestation in a back court in Glasgow's South Side.

Residents say the bin area at the back of a group of tenements in Shawlands is "like a war zone".

There is also an issue with rising dirty water levels, which means residents in one of the buildings cannot use their back door.

However, there is a dispute over who should tidy up the area, which is near to bakeries and shops in Kilmarnock Road.

The problem is so bad that Glasgow City Council say a statutory notice will be issued to the residents, giving them seven days to clean it up.

Factor Redpath Bruce is also trying to resolve the mess, which they say is a "persistent problem".

In a letter seen by the Evening Times regarding 1 Ettrick Place and 70/74 Coustonholm Road, a property manager with Redpath Bruce says it would cost £640 to clean up.

The letter also said it was a "health risk" which had "encouraged vermin to be present".

Builder Andrew McFadden, 29, bought his flat in 1 Ettrick Place in December.

He said: "When I bought the flat I didn't look out the back because it was really dark.

"But now I'm here every day renovating and I can't believe how bad it is."

"I phoned the council two weeks ago about it. Environmental Health came out but it's like they want nothing to do with it.

"I've seen rats crawling about the bins.

"I don't know how anyone can live in this mess. You can't even get out the back to put your rubbish out."

His dad Andrew, 57, said: "This is modern day Shawlands. It's like a war zone. There's rubbish lying about.

"I've never seen anything so bad in my life. It wasn't as bad as this in the 1950s in the Gorbals.

"It's disgusting, there are dirty nappies lying about."

Beatrice Strang, 76, has lived with her husband in a neighbouring property for 15 years.

She said: "It is an absolute disgrace. It's just getting worse and worse. We don't know what to do anymore."

"I haven't seen the binmen in weeks."

Pollokshields Councillor David Meikle raised fears over the state of the area.

He said: "As a local councillor for the area, I'm very concerned by this. I hope the factor and Council can work together to resolve the rubbish and flooding problems at Ettrick Place as soon as possible. I'm also willing to assist and will submit an enquiry requesting urgent action to help residents and businesses affected."

A spokesman from Redpath Bruce said they had written to businesses and residents "on a number of occasions" requesting they improve the way rubbish is disposed.

He added: "On a number of previous occasions the collective owners have paid for special clean ups. Understandably, however, some of the owners are no longer prepared to fund the cleaning up of others’ poor practices and we no longer have enough financial support from the owners to continue to pay for extraordinary cleaning.

"They have all been made aware of the environmental implications of not rectifying the situation with vermin from the nearby river being of greatest concern.

"We have been doing everything we can to help but are currently caught between a rock and hard place. Ultimately Glasgow City Council Environmental Protection Services have the powers of enforcement which we as agent do not have."

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: "A statutory notice will be issued following a visit from Environmental Health. Residents will have seven days to clear up the area."

If residents do not clean up the council can pay to clear it and bill the residents.

rachel.loxton@heraldandtimes.co.uk