Tough new rules will be introduced to control noisy “party flats” after the problem was highlighted by the Evening Times.

Last year we raised the plight of people in Queen’s Park who had been subjected to anti-social behaviour as a result of short-term lets of flats for weekends or single nights.

Campaigners and MSPs took copies of the Evening Times to the petitions committee and called for Holyrood to regulate the practice.

Glasgow Anniesland Labour MSP, Bill Butler, showed the committee our front-page article of February 2009 about families who told how they had been forced out of their homes in Balvicar Street because of rowdy parties.

It revealed the McKever Group was letting flats in a newbuild block to groups of young people on stag and hen nights.

Last year the firm went into administration. The McKever Group flats attracted much publicity, but there are many such flats all over the city.

Flats, often in modern apartment buildings or converted townhouses, are advertised on websites for the holiday, short break market and let out on a nightly or weekend basis.

But the problem arises when the flats are used by the renter for the sole purpose of hosting a party. Often the flats are in residential blocks where other people have become exasperated by the disruption. The Scottish Government has announced plans to strengthen legislation aimed at addressing the problem.

Ministers have decided to change the rules to make it easier for local authorities to issue anti-social behaviour notices to owners of party flats and bring cases to court. If landlords ignore initial approaches from the council, the local authority could impose a number of conditions.

These could include limiting the number of people who can be in a party flat at any one time. Flat owners may have to employ on-site supervision, have a person to direct complaints towards or be forced to carry out improvements.

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil, said: “It is unacceptable residents have to put up with anti-social behaviour linked to a party flat.

“That is why this government has decided to introduce a change in the law that will increase powers available to councils to deal with the problem.”

Mr Butler welcomed the move.

He said: “I am delighted that at last the government has listened to the concerns of those who brought this issue to the Public Petitions committee.”

Flats are not advertised as party flats but certain apartment blocks have become known as such. Travel websites’ notice boards are busy with people looking for “party flats”.

Councillor Jim Coleman, chairman of Glasgow Community and Safety Services, said: “When there are problems, they don’t want the council to demand a point of contact they can complain to – they want us to send someone round to make it stop.”

Glasgow Community and Safety Services officers offer advice to anyone who phones to complain about noise. If the problem continues, they will measure noise levels and can issue a £100 fixed penalty notice.

If that is not paid, the case can be referred to the Procurator Fiscal with the flat owner facing a fine of up to £1000.

To contact the Noise Team call 0141 287 6688. The line is available 24 hours a day and officers can respond between 9am and 3am Monday to Friday and 5pm to 3am at weekends.