Factors to be investigated

The office of fair trading (OFT) has announced a major investment into property factoring in Scotland.

This follows evidence gathered by the Scottish consumer council during a survey of 134 homeowners in Dennistoun.

The study will consider issues such as how much choice and information is available to home owners, how property managers are selected, the quality and costs of the services and redress when things go wrong.

Heather Clayton, OFT Senior Director of infrastructure said:’ This study will take a detailed look at Scottish property management services, consider how well they are working for home owners, and take a view on any recommendation which might bring positive outcomes for consumers in Scotland.’

Sean Clerkin from the Save our Home Campaign said:’ We welcome this investigation and hope that they will take a close look at Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) too. If GHA’s property factoring division has nothing to hide then it will have nothing to fear from this investigation. We will contribute evidence to the study.’

The Campaign alleges the GHA uses bullying tactics, including the threat of court action against homeowners with whom they are in dispute. There are around 100,000 homes in Glasgow which receive services from factors for communal insurance, repairs and maintenance.