Dennistoun campaigners in "mop-handed" protest over close cleaning row

Living Rent activists deliver petition to GHA offices

Dozens of activists from Living Rent tenant’s union marched “mop-handed” from Duke Street to Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) offices at City Park on Alexandra Parade to deliver a petition demanding regular close cleaning.

The group protested over claims that GHA have not kept commitments to stick to a rigorous cleaning schedule after committing to do so last month as we previously reported.

A tenant who lives at Wellpark and asked to remain anonymous said: "We have tried to get in touch with GHA about the lack of close cleaning since April but never received a reply.

We pay for this service as part of our rent, so believe that we should receive a service we pay for. After speaking to neighbours on our local Facebook page we realised that other people had the same issue as us.

After working together and with help from Living Rent our close finally got cleaned for the first time in October.

"Since then cleans haven’t been happening on a regular basis so we got back in touch to ask for a cleaning schedule to know when our closes will be done.

"Again we didn’t receive a reply. Because of this we decided to march up to our local GHA offices to deliver our petition that asks for this schedule and to demand better communication from GHA."

However, GHA believes that claims made by Living Rent are unfair. A spokesman from GHA confirmed that close cleaning had resumed and that the housing association had visited every close in order to complete a deep clean.

He said: “For the record, no one in Wellpark has raised any such issues with us. 
“Again for the record, we’ve been round every single close and given every single one a thorough deep clean. That is a fact.

“The reality is we’ve resumed our normal cleaning schedule of weekly close cleans.”

"As well as that, GHA have been maintaining bulk uplift collections while the council have stopped these.

Living Rent activists are protesting over claims close cleaning has been delayed

The spokesman added: “It’s also a fact that our Neighbourhood Environmental Teams are out and about doing bulk uplifts to keep back courts, ensuring they’re clean and tidy while council services are suspended.

“Any tenant who has any concerns knows they can call our customer contact centre any time night or day or speak to their housing officer.”

It is understood that GHA have been working with tenants represented by Living Rent to resolve issues.

A spokesman from Living Rent said: “Living Rent members in Wellpark are pleased to see that GHA have been listening to our demands.

"Cleaning schedules have been put up in Wellpark closes with bluetack and GHA have once again committed to regular close cleaning.

“Tenants are paying a service fee for close cleaning, but they have not had regular close cleaning since March.

"The new GHA cleaning schedules that have been stuck up with blue tack in a handful of closes do not make it any clearer when cleaning should be happening.

“With GHA’s rent consultations suggesting a 1.7% or 2.2% increase, tenants need to see improvements, especially in these difficult times.

"Dennistoun residents will march from Wellpark to GHA’s City Park offices to present the petition for regular close cleaning, clean up the scheme and push for clearer communication and better services from GHA in the new year.”

Living Rent activists on a "mop handed" march

However, a GHA spokeswoman has confirmed that GHA is still consulting with tenants over the proposed increases which will allow them to continue investing in communities. Results of the consultation are expected in the new year.