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COURIER OPINION: Dundee housing minister needs to tackle appalling conditions in her own back yard

Tenants in privately-rented housing are not getting the protections they deserve: Dundee based housing minister Shona Robison needs to act.

Mark Ford standing in front of a mouldy window surround.
Dundee dad Mark Ford has been told his housing isn't fit for human habitation Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

It is no secret that the demand for affordable housing in Scotland outstrips supply.

Every council has a waiting list of people, while the private rental market has been overheating for a long time.

That is a heady cocktail and one which Dundee man Mark Ford can attest does not always work in the best interests of tenants.

Mark Ford in his Dundee home
Mark Ford spoke to The Courier about issues with his rented housing in Dundee. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DCThomson

The 42-year-old lives in a rented flat with his partner and children.

The monthly rent is almost £500 and for that Mark and his family are expected to live in a property beset with so many issues that it has been declared unfit for human habitation.

It is an appalling situation and one that needs rectified without delay.

But it is telling that to welfare groups such as Citizens Advice, working in the sector day-in and day-out, Mr Ford’s experience is not unique.

mould around a window.
Mould around Mr Ford’s bedroom window. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DCThomson
Broken oven, showing exposed glass.
Mr Ford and his family are living with a broken oven at their Dundee flat, despite housing rules which are meant to protect tenants. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

Such situations are all too common and that says much about the legal and policy safeguards currently in place for tenants.

Housing minister is Dundee MSP

In Dundee it is simply not good enough that a scheme set up to provide protections to renters from bad landlords has continued to operate for several years without carrying out any of the promised random inspections.

And of those landlords actually registered under the scheme, how can standards possibly be driven up if the vast majority of those providing a service have not even undergone initial vetting checks?

The Scottish minister responsible for housing is Dundee-based Shona Robison. Her attitude here is key.

Shona Robison wearing an SNP rosette and giving the thumbs up sign
Dundee MSP and housing secretary Shona Robison.

There is no doubting there is a lot of good work being done in the private rented and social housing sectors and progress is being made.

But if the minister is not motivated to act by Mr Ford’s story – and the many others who live quietly in the shadows – then when will she be?

Our investigation has drawn the curtain back on a scar on society.

It must not be ignored.

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