A TOTAL of 90 per cent of landlords who have had their licences refused or revoked have owned properties in Govanhill.

The figure came to light during a meeting of the Govanhill Regeneration Group as members were given a summary of progress in tackling sub-par housing stock in the community.

Duncan Thomson, who manages Private Sector Housing for Glasgow City Council, also told the meeting targets for acquisition and repair of properties have been revised.

Council and housing association bosses, with the support of the Scottish Government, have been taking over flats in Govanhill to be upgraded and brought back into use for social rent.

Initially 350 flats were targeted as part of the programme of works, with a further 284 refurbished during a pilot phase of the scheme.

Now Mr Thomson says the target will be 300 flats with resources instead turning to larger properties to accommodate larger families.

He said: "We'd always had in our mind to say, 'Do we need to go as far as 350?'

"The forecast is that by the end of 2019 we estimate we'll have 260 units, so 76 per cent of that 350 target.

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"Recently we have been in discussions with the Scottish Government, because bear in mind this strategy is going ahead because of a commitment from the Scottish Government, to ask if there is still a need to acquire properties.

"After six to 12 months of discussions we don't think there's a need to hit these targets.

"What we should be getting better at is targeting a number of bigger properties.

"These cost around £40,000 more per unit so it will mean few properties but more that can accommodate larger families.

"I will be going back to the Scottish Government in January to ask that we can relax our target to 300 properties."

Mr Thomson also told the meeting that a commitment to build new properties in the area is on track with 105 units completed and 323 units currently under construction.

Compulsory purchase orders are also underway to buy over housing stock.

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He added: "To supplement the strategy we are doing compulsory purchase orders and are currently looking at seven flats lying empty on Westmoreland Street.

"We have one objection from an owner there so that's slowing that process down but we will get that for Govanhill Housing Association, I am confident of it."

The council is also targeting properties on Dixon Avenue and Annette Street and plan to take over 61 Albert Road, which has been lying empty since 2010.

Plans to have Southside Housing Association set up a social letting agency for private landlords are also progressing.

Mr Thomson added: "Although people think landlords are all rogues, they are not.

"There are a lot of good landlords in Govanhill, there are a lot of amateur landlords in Govanhill who don't know what they should be doing, so that is where the social letting agency will take over.

"On our first phased inspection of flats in the area 86 per cent failed.

"During our second phase the same percentage are passing, which is a significant improvement because landlords are seeing the council mean business."

"We continue to take a hard line."

Mr Thomson also told the meeting government funding will run until the end of 2021 but Glasgow City Council and Govanhill Housing Association have made a commitment to continue the improvement plan for the area.