Following a competitive process to choose a preferred partner in the latter part of last year, the transfer will see 2,800 Weslo tenants, 3,500 factored owners and over 300 other customers join the Scotland wide organisation.

The move comes after an overwhelming 97% of the votes cast by Weslo Housing Management tenants voted in favour of the transfer at the end of March 2021.

Ross Martin, Link Group chair, said: “To say I am delighted to welcome Weslo customers and staff into Link’s family is an understatement, this, without doubt, is a historic moment for both organisations.

“Weslo customers can look forward to benefiting from Link’s well-established, proficient services, and Link will gain enormous value from the Weslo staff team’s local understanding and expert housing knowledge – a powerful combination of regional and national working together.

“Alongside my gratitude to the Weslo tenants who wholeheartedly engaged in the consultation process, I would like to thank the Weslo and Link staff who have collaborated brilliantly in bringing the transfer plans to this successful first milestone.”

Kate Dewar, the chair of Weslo Housing Management, added: “This is an historic day for the Weslo tenants. The transitional arrangements between both organisations that have progressed smoothly since the positive ballot, enabling the transfer to take place today are testament to the cooperation and enthusiasm of all involved to begin the process of delivering the planned investment in the Weslo homes.

“The outgoing Weslo board firmly believes the transfer of the Weslo tenancies and homes to the Link Group will secure positive change and a brighter future for the tenants and staff with improvements to the housing stock and contribute to an enlarged Link Group playing a vital part in meeting the housing challenges ahead.

“The Weslo board would also like to thank our tenants, our Tenant Participation Committee, the Weslo and Link staff, and all our other stakeholders and advisors for their support and cooperation in making this transfer possible.”

As part of the transfer, a new tenant-led area board is being established. The chair of the area board, Eileen Porter, commented: “This is a really exciting day for Weslo tenants.

“We have placed confidence in Link to deliver the investment programme we need in our houses over the next 5 years and beyond, and we look forward to working with staff and tenants in the Link Group.

“We will also have a stronger tenants’ voice through the area board to monitor the promises made to tenants, and I really encourage tenants to get involved, either through the Area Board, or through the whole range of other ways on offer from Link to participate.”

The transfer is an important milestone in what has been a period of significant growth for Link, with the Weslo transfer making it one of the largest and most geographically diverse social housing organisations in the country.