FAMILIES who were living in rat-infested properties are overjoyed with their new homes.

Less than two months after the Evening Times reported their plight, all 11 families from Kelvindale Place have been rehomed.

The residents, who stayed in the crumbling estate in Maryhill, had been caught in a dispute between their new landlords Maryhill Housing Association (MHA) and contractors City Building, who were constructing the new homes at Maryhill Locks.

The group were stuck in nearly derelict buildings, with rats and rubbish littering the outside.

Inside, the homes were damp and rancid smells crept through the floorboards.

Now the residents are settling in to their newly built accommodation, complete with fresh paintwork, gardens and roof terraces in some cases.

One of the tenants, Stuart Harvie, said: "Everything is fantastic, I don't have any complaints. GHA helped a lot with moving. We are all chuffed."

Fellow resident Alexis Robb said: "I couldn't be happier and am so glad to be in my new home. It's brilliant.

"My son loves it too. It got to the point he was ashamed of bringing his friends up to the old house but now they come round after school."

A spokesman for Maryhill Housing Association said: "We are pleased our tenants have now moved into the properties at Maryhill Locks and wish them every happiness in their new homes. Maryhill Locks represents the biggest house-building project undertaken in Maryhill in decades and Maryhill Housing Association is proud to be delivering wonderful new homes for the people we serve.

"We will do all we can to help them create a flourishing community."

Councillor John Letford, who looks after Kelvin ward, said: "I would like to congratulate the tenants and the Evening Times for their efforts in highlighting the intolerable housing conditions my constituents had to endure.

"I also wish to thank Maryhill Housing and City Building for their efforts to move their new tenants into their properties.

"I am sure that the housing association and their contractor will fix any snagging issues and ensure that my constituents can move on with their lives, to enjoy the quiet comfort of their wonderful properties."

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk