This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Analysis of housing stock transfers
24/03/2006
Audit Scotland's report into council housing transfers was published today, focusing on those which have taken place since 1998 including Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway and Borders.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"This has been a resounding success story for Scotland. As the report makes abundantly clear, tenants are benefiting from higher investment, stable rents, more control and better services.
"Moreover, two thirds of tenant groups surveyed by Audit Scotland said the quality of repairs and maintenance had improved after transfer. And 80 per cent said there had been more investment in improvements.
"I am grateful for this independent expert evaluation. It highlights areas for improvement but also acknowledges that we have already learned valuable lessons to build significant strengths into the present system through our new guidance.
"This augurs well for the future. More than 100,000 tenants are already enjoying the benefits under new not-for profit organisations and a further 50,000 are due to vote later this year.
"I urge them to seize the opportunity for much greater investment to provide decent, modern homes that people want to live in.
"It has already transformed the daily lives of thousands of people. But even more importantly, it has made community ownership a reality so that local people really do have a say in their housing - and their future.
"There is more work to be done, particularly in delivering second stage transfer in Glasgow, but I and everyone else concerned is determined to make this happen as quickly as possible."
Six councils - Renfrewshire, Highland, Inverclyde, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and the Western Isles - are currently planning to transfer their entire housing stock to new not-for-profit landlords.