Reidvale was formed in 1975 and has around 900 homes in the Dennistoun area. Stating concerns about governance and investment, the board decided in 2022 to seek a partner to take over the association, its tenancies, properties and staff. A tenant ballot held late last year saw 61.8% of respondents vote in favour of a proposal to transfer their homes to Place for People Scotland.

Reidvale Housing Association has called a Special General Meeting today for members to approve the transfer.

A group of Reidvale tenants and owners, elected officials, Dennistoun residents and supporters of community-owned housing associations is asking members to vote against the proposal.

The group argue that Reidvale is an iconic housing association, created when the local community refused to allow the demolition of their area, and that local people have spent nearly 50 years creating a vibrant, highly desirable community, located less than two miles from George Square.

In support of Reidvale’s achievements, the group claims that its homes are worth more than £100 million, adding that the proposed transfer plan will see these community assets handed over with no payment being received by Reidvale in return.

The group pointed out that, unlike most housing associations, Reidvale has no debt against its houses, adding that “it is not credible to suggest that it needs to give away its assets to another organisation”.

They also suggest that Reidvale “outperforms” Place for People Scotland in everything measured by the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Questions have also been raised about “irregularities” in the transfer process and the fact that only 45% of Reidvale tenants voted in favour of the transfer (72.9% of tenants voted in the ballot, with 61.8% saying ‘yes’).

Concerns about the process include:

• PfPS staff attending meetings of Reidvale tenants and then approaching them afterwards with promises of work to their houses
• A Data Protection Breach by providing PfPS with tenants’ mobile phone numbers
• The appointment process for consultants and the co-opting of committee members who are close friends with each other
• Allegations of intimidation and bullying of committee members by co-optees

Included in the transfer offer is a commitment to a five-year rent freeze (compared to the 10% a year increases planned by Reidvale), £13.7m investment over that time to improve the quality of housing and the environment and a host of other improvements in local services. Att the time of the tenant ballot, Reidvale said it would have had no ability to deliver any of this if it stayed independent and that this has been confirmed by the Tenants Information Service who are the independent tenant advisers to Reidvale tenants.

However, the group has outlined other concerns including what will happen when the promised rent freeze period ends. The group is also asking who will manage factoring services for owners and shops? What will it cost? What kind of service will the call centre provide?

While conceding that Reidvale was not managed perfectly, the group concluded: “The issues highlighted in the proposed transfer can be resolved. The solution is to bring in professional senior staff and to elect management committee members who will work together – who will work with the community - to turn things around.”

Included in the transfer offer is a commitment to a five-year rent freeze (compared to the 10% a year increases planned by Reidvale), £13.7 million investment over that time to improve the quality of housing and the environment and a host of other improvements in local services. Reidvale said it would have had no ability to deliver any of this if it stayed independent and that this has been confirmed by the Tenants Information Service who are the independent tenant advisers to Reidvale tenants.

In response, Katie Smart, Places for People Scotland director, outlined the benefits to Reidvale tenants that will follow should the transfer go ahead.

Ms Smart told Scottish Housing News: “We’re very grateful to have received the support from Reidvale tenants in the recent ballot. We are passionate about what we do and that is delivering the good quality, affordable homes that people deserve. Our proposal for Reidvale is very simple. There will be a five-year rent freeze from 2024/25-2028/29, saving tenants an average of £1,355 each year and providing financial stability in this uncertain time.

“We have committed to this with the Scottish Housing Regulator. In this same five-year period, there will also be a £13.7 million investment in improving Reidvale homes which will focus on kitchen, bathroom, and window and door improvements, as well as WiFi access for all homes by 2029. We will retain local staff, keep the Reidvale office open, so local services are where people need them, and give tenants a voice.

“The history of Reidvale Housing Association is something we have a great deal of respect for and as an organisation our ethos is very much the same. If approved, the transfer would be to Places for People Scotland (Castle Rock Edinvar), we are a Scottish charity and registered Scottish landlord and have been managing homes in Scotland for over 50 years. We date back to 1972, and our main office is in Edinburgh although we operate across Scotland.

“We care deeply about communities, and the people who make them what they are. We are community-focused regardless of whether tenants are in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or elsewhere. We work closely with local people and partners to deliver what they need, and where they need it.”