Support for bid to regulate Property Factors   March 4, 2010

Local Labour MSP Paul Martin has urged members from all parties to back Labour's proposals to give homeowners more protection by enforcing new standards on factors and property managers.

He was commenting after Thursday's Holyrood debate. Labour's Patricia Ferguson has tabled a members’ bill that would give homeowners more rights and require all factors in Scotland to be registered and accredited by an official body.

Paul Martin is supprting the legislation because of the number of complaints he has received from constituents. The proposals are supported by a range of organisations including the Property Managers Association and Govan Law Centre.

Paul said:

“For too long factors have been a law unto themselves. There are many good factors but there are others who seem to see the job as a licence to print money and simply do not communicate with the people they are supposed to work for.

“I decided to support this legislation after receiving complaints from constituents about a whole range of issues including poor quality repairs, unnecessary work, serious overcharging and substandard service.

“These are issues that affect people in throughout Glasgow Springburn and I hope that MSPs from across the Chamber will put aside their differences and support Labour’s proposals to give homeowners more rights.

"The Scottish Government is currently proposing a voluntary scheme but we believe they need to go further and that legislation is required."

Paul has arranged a public meeting in Dennistoun, where all residents are invited to give their veiws to a panel of housing law experts. If you would like more details of this event, then please do not hesitate in getting in touch with the office on 0141 564 1364.