News of the ultimate collapse of the 150 year-old, B-listed tenement building at Albert Cross is the hugely disappointing consequence of fire, lack of proper insurance and property owners and local authority being unable to resolve the condition of the damaged property.
Whilst there do not appear to have been any injuries caused, the loss of this building will have a huge impact on the property owners and residents, neighbouring residents, businesses and the wider communities, the emergency services and the local authority.
As we reported at the time, this fire in 2019 occurred around the time of several other significant fires in traditional tenements in Glasgow and in the years since further fires have occurred, including in Pollokshields, which tragically led to a fataility, Carlton Place near Glasgow city centre, Princes Street, Dundee and recently in both Edinburgh and Kilmarnock. All such incidents are very dangerous, disruptive and damaging, and of course our thoughts are first and foremost with all involved whom we wish a speedy and full recovery.
These incident also have a considerable impact on other property owners, residents and local businesses and communities, causing worry about the future of their own property.
Scotland’s tenements not only form a significant proportion of our housing stock but are a key piece of our national heritage and urban environment.
Whilst it is important for all property owners and residents to take steps to keep their property safe, well maintained and limit the risk of fire, it is also essential that property owners hold suitable insurance cover to deal with the impact of such an incident.
The example of the collapsed tenement at Albert Cross is reported to be the result of a lack of suitable insurance, which demonstrates the extreme difficulty for property owners to organise site clearance, safety and re-building of their property without common insurance.
Homeowners are responsible for ensuring their property is adequately insured at all times, including all common elements of the building and there is further information about common insurance available from Under One Roof here. However, in Scotland, we lack a system to enforce this essential protection.
Whilst fire is a risk which should be insured against, we also currently lack of a system which enforces a positive approach to long-term maintenance, which leads to a slower, but equally real and ultimately devastating impact, if not tackled.
The need for government to take strong and positive action to tackle long-standing concerns at the condition of Scotland’s tenement housing stock has long been a subject of industry attention and many working groups, initiatives and proposals under successive governments and authorities in Scotland.
The Scottish Law Commission are preparing draft legislation in support of the work of the Tenement Maintenance Working Group which reported in 2019, whilst the Scottish Parliament are working on a new Housing Bill.
Hacking and Paterson Management Services have long advocated for further legislation, funding and support which can deliver the improvements our country’s housing stock needs and prepare for new and increasing challenges which the future promises.
You can read more about this widely online, including in our archive of News articles and updates;
Scottish Government making moves on Tenement Maintenance
Tenement Law Reform: Homeowners Associations
RICS – Untangling tenement maintenance in Scotland
Tenement Short Life Working Group Report
Our team continue to contribute to efforts to progress these subjects by contributing to a variety of working groups and government action plans, responding to various ongoing government consultations and through the professional body, The Property Institute Scotland.
We look forward to future plans and legislation supporting the essential work of safeguarding our housing stock and will keep you informed of any new developments in these areas as these progress.
If you are not aware of your building’s current insurance position, if you are concerned about a possible lack of insurance, or if you and your neighbours would simply like to discuss the maintenance of your property please contact us and we will be pleased to assist you.
