THERE are few things more important to people than their homes.

With nearly 70% of Glasgow households living in a tenement or flat, factoring is an important issue the people of Glasgow and one of the most common type of complaints received by councillors.

These complaints often focus around some tenants who either refuse or are unable to pay their share of common repair bills, factors who charge excessive fees for minor repair work or irresponsible factors who fail to carry out the most basic maintenance work.

After the election last year my administration established the Glasgow Factoring Commission.

This independent commission is chaired by Jean Charsley, secretary of Hillhead Community Council, and has been tasked with investigating the issues and developing recommendations to improve the situation for tenants.

Over the last year the Commission has listened to a wide range of different views, including factors, and, most importantly, from a group of tenants from across the city who have first hand experience of rogue factors.

The evidence the Commission has heard will be used to develop a list of recommendations and an action plan that will tackle factoring issues in Glasgow.

There have been a number of attempts over recent years to address the problems caused by a minority of irresponsible factors, most notably by Patricia Ferguson MSP, who has been a champion in the Scottish Parliament for tenants and homeowners against rogue factors.

Quite simply, people want their homes to be clean, safe and properly maintained.

If there are problems with factoring, then we must look at them and address them.

The Commission's interim report published last week is very welcome.

I want to thank Jean Charsley and the Commission for their work so far and I look forward to seeing the final recommendations when they are presented to the council and the Scottish Government later this year.

WHAT a weekend it has been for Glasgow's preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

On Friday, the final design for the Queen's Baton Relay was unveiled in front of a packed Riverside Museum while yesterday, tickets finally went on sale for the Games themselves.

I was delighted to join one of Glasgow's very own sports stars, Olympic and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michael Jamieson, for the ticket launch at Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

These are Glasgow's Games and with that in mind it is fantastic to know that tickets will be both accessible and affordable.

Around one million tickets will be available for the Games, with prices starting at just £7.50 for under-18s and over-60s and £15 for adults.

What's more two-thirds of tickets will cost under £25.

There really is something for everyone with around 4,500 athletes set to go for gold across 17 sports and 11 days of competition.

The ticket deadline is Monday September 16 so there is plenty of time to get your applications in.

The Commonwealth Games will be an unforgettable event for the city in the summer of 2014.

This is your chance to be part of it.