REPAIRS to run-down tenements need to be funded through a deal with the Scottish Government, council chiefs believe.

They want to speed up the restoration of deteriorating pre-1919 homes – around one quarter of the city’s housing.

The funding package would be used on priority repairs and extra staff, helping to stop further decay.

Many owners cannot afford to cover the costs of the required work, which can hit over £250,000.

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Current funding to tackle the issues is “insufficient”, a report to be presented at a council committee next week states.

There are over 77,000 homes in Glasgow which were built before 1919.

Around one third of 500 buildings surveyed by the council did not have a factor – and around 5% were in “a state of serious disrepair”.

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “Tenement buildings are an important part of Glasgow’s identity and built heritage, and the sheer number of pre-1919 buildings in the city makes it essential that we have a plan in place to ensure they serve us for a long time to come.”

The report states maintaining pre-1919 stock needs a “long-term” partnership between the council and the government, with a “funding commitment from both partners”.

It adds knowing money was available would allow the construction industry to ensure the required skills were available.

Currently, Glasgow City Council funds repairs through private sector housing grants.

They are used where building conditions merit statutory intervention or for voluntary work where owners contribute.

Almost £8m was available for 2020/21, with £2m earmarked for disabled adaptations.

But there is “high demand” from private owners, the report reveals, adding mixed ownership can make it difficult to get agreements on work.

A Scottish Parliament working group on tenement maintenance recommended compulsory five-year inspections, reserve funds and owners’ associations in 2019.

All these recommendations “would come at a cost to owners”, the council report states.

It adds: “Council investment in the private sector housing stock through has been instrumental in halting the decline and, in many cases, preventing the demolition of pre-1919 tenements.

“However, current funding levels are insufficient to meet the current, and future needs of our older tenement stock.”

Other actions suggested by the council includes a pilot gutter repair initiative, initially in priority areas then potentially across Glasgow.

Officers also recommend talks with the Scottish Government over introducing common building insurance for all properties in common ownership and finding energy-efficient solutions for old buildings.

Mr McLean added: “Our approach calls for actions and partnerships that will not only protect these homes and make them more energy-efficient for a long time to come, but also help our economic recovery as new jobs in the green and traditional craft sectors are created.”