Council to take over rundown Glasgow home in bid to sell it

A rundown Glasgow home is set to be bought by the council and then sold to a private developer, marking a new approach by the local authority in bringing empty properties back into use.

Glasgow City Council has begun using compulsory purchase orders (CPO), with homes previously taken over by housing associations.

A neglected three-bed semi-detached house at Linlithgow Gardens in the city's Mount Vernon area could now become the first to be marketed to private companies.

The home has been deemed "inhabitable" and is in need of significant repairs. The moves comes as the city continues to grapple with a housing emergency.

Ruairi Kelly, the council's housing convener, said the approach offered another way to bring empty properties back into use.

An official added that although the council's main focus is to bring homes back into use for social housing, not all empty properties can be taken on by social landlords.

The Mount Vernon property has been unoccupied since November 2024 when the remaining owner moved into a care home. The other owner has been living in a care home since 2013, according to a council report.

It adds the house has "deteriorated over many years" and a closing order was served in late 2023 after it was deemed "uninhabitable" by housing, environmental health and social work services.

The report described the home as being "in a state of serious disrepair which is having a negative impact on neighbouring homes", which also negatively impacting the environment.

Officials said the house needs "comprehensive" internal refurbishment and "significant" external repairs.

An empty home is classed as a privately-owned property which has been vacant for six months or more.

Asked why private developers were being considered, an official told councillors at Thursday's contracts and property committee that there had been no interest from nearby social landlords.

The official added the property would cost a significant amount of money to bring back into use, but a private developer could carry out repairs and still make a profit.

The planned CPO will need to be confirmed by the Scottish government before the council begins to advertise the property.

The council report added that there has been engagement with the current owners in the hope of bringing the property back into use.

If an agreement is not struck then the owners will be entitled to seek compensation for the loss of their property.

Story by Local Democracy Reporter Drew Sandelands.