An independent ballot conducted by Electoral Reform Services, which closed on July 9, provided confirmation that 99% of votes cast were in favour of the transfer, based on an exceptionally high turnout of 79%.

The transfer will involve Caledonia delivering faster and increased investment in tenants’ homes and implementing a five year rent guarantee for tenants, whilst also continuing to deliver services locally. These benefits will be combined with a strong focus on improving services and investigating opportunities to build new affordable homes for the many people in housing need in the local area.

Mags Lightbody, interim director at Antonine, said: “We have worked really hard over the past year to engage widely with our tenants to ensure that their views were reflected in the transfer proposal and that they had a good understanding of what this involved. I am really pleased that our tenants have voted positively in such large numbers for the transfer to go ahead. It is a great endorsement of the benefits for tenants promised in the transfer proposal. The ballot outcome is an important step in allowing us to realise these benefits.”

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive at Caledonia, added: “I am delighted that Antonine’s tenants have expressed such overwhelming support for the proposed transfer to Caledonia. The result is excellent news and reflects our firm commitment to invest more in improving tenants’ homes whilst also working to improve services, rent affordability and value for money.”

The results of the ballot will now be considered by Antonine’s Management Committee and then the Scottish Housing Regulator. Shareholding members of Antonine will then be invited to attend two separate Special General Meetings to consider formally approving the transfer of engagements from Antonine to Caledonia.