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Housing association plans to transfer all stock to ‘financially stable’ social landlord
A Scottish housing association is planning to transfer all its homes to another organisation after a survey revealed it could not afford to make necessary improvements to the properties.
Weslo Housing Management, based in West Lothian, carried out a stock condition survey in 2019 that revealed its 2,347 homes required “a large amount of investment over the next 30 years”.
The organisation found that it “cannot afford to make these improvements and continue to keep rents at an affordable level”.
Resident satisfaction surveys also revealed widespread unhappiness about the condition of tenants’ homes.
“After careful consideration, it was decided that the best option for Weslo and Weslo tenants is to transfer all the Weslo homes and services to another financially strong, stable, experienced social landlord who can deliver the improvements needed,” said chair Kate Dewar in a statement.
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“We are now seeking an established social landlord as a partner for the transfer.”
The social landlord will work with the chosen partner over the summer to develop a business case. Social tenants will then vote on the transfer in a secret ballot to be held in the autumn.
The association said it will “make sure there are legal agreements with the new social landlord to deliver the property and service improvements needed”.
“The board have been working hard with the staff to secure the best possible future for Weslo and your homes and firmly believe that this decision is the right one for Weslo and your homes. Together, we can look forward to brighter times ahead for the Weslo community,” added Ms Dewar.
Set up in 1993, Weslo Housing Management is predominately active in West Lothian and Falkirk local authority areas but has expanded to include Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire.
