Tenants have voted in favour of transferring their homes to a new landlord.

Reidvale Housing Association, in Dennistoun, one of the oldest community housing landlords in the city, had asked tenants to vote on whether to transfer to People for Places, a large housing provider.

The Reidvale board was in favour of the switch and encouraged tenants to back the plan, while three Glasgow MSPs reported their concerns about the move to the housing regulator.

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The ballot result showed a majority of those who voted in favour of the transfer.

They voted 61.8% in favour of the transfer to 38.2% against the plan.

The turnout was 72.9% of the 983 tenants with 717 householders taking part.

Both Reidvale Housing Association and Places for People were pleased with the outcome.

Eddie Marley, Chair, Reidvale Housing Association, said: “The Management Committee is very happy with the package of transfer promises that we secured from Places for People Scotland. “These will make a huge positive difference to our tenants including the rent freeze and additional investment in our homes and communities.

“We are delighted that so many tenants took the opportunity to vote with a clear majority voting in favour.

“This provides a good mandate for Places for People Scotland going forward to deliver on the promises they have made.”

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Katie Smart, Director Places for People Scotland, commented: “We feel very privileged that the tenants of Reidvale have put their faith in Places for People Scotland to deliver on our transfer promises.

“We now look towards the Special General Meetings with Reidvale shareholders where they will be asked to approve the special transfer resolution.

“We are hopeful for a positive outcome and are confident that the transfer will combine the strengths, capabilities, assets, and traditions of both organisations to create a stronger entity that can deliver a thriving future for the Reidvale community.”

Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP, Ivan McKee SNP Provan MSP, and Annie Wells, Conservative Glasgow, MSP, all said they were concerned about the process.

Glasgow Times:

Following the result, Sweeney said the ballot did not have the overwhelming backing of tenants, and he is looking to “save” Reidvale Housing Association.

He said: “The majority of Reidvale tenants are not supportive of the Places for People takeover and the loss of community control over Glasgow's oldest housing association.

“Just 45% of the total sitting tenants eligible to vote, cast a vote in favour of the transfer. It is completely unprecedented for a housing association to attempt to force through a takeover without the overwhelming backing of the tenants.”

He repeated his concerns about regulatory breaches during the ballot where the MSPs were concerned that tenants were “coerced” into voting in favour of the transfer.

Both Reidvale and People for Places strongly refuted the allegations.

The MSP said other transfers in Scotland have previously enjoyed more than 90% approval of the tenants.

The MSPs asked for the Housing Regulator to suspend the process but were refused.

He added: “I am continuing to work with tenants to explore all legal avenues to save Reidvale Housing Association and to protect community-control."