West end residents have spoken of the ‘hellish’ conditions they face in a flat block with no insulation and soaring heating costs.
Partick Housing Association residents living in 14 Fortrose House – just yards downhill from one of the richest areas of the west end – say they are at ‘breaking point’ after spending more than a year battling mould in freezing temperatures.
Issues started over a decade ago when the social housing landlord installed cladding to the outside, new windows and a new wet electric heating system.
Residents discovered that the heating system – promised to be more efficient – had massively increased heating bills, and the new boilers burst in flats – leaving many flooded. The cladding and windows – which were inspected after the Grenfell disaster and then deemed safe – were found to be dangerous last year and locals were told they would have to be removed.
Scaffolding went up in February 2024, and the cladding was removed with the promise that a replacement would be in place by April. However, a year on,l the scaffolding is still up and no replacement is in sight – meaning residents have faced freezing conditions without insulation.
Those living inside flats describe being forced to cling to their beds or isolate themselves in a single room for warmth while facing monthly bills of hundreds of pounds – despite heating their homes for only a couple of hours a day.
Residents say that delivery workers have commented that the building looks ‘abandoned’
Our reporter visited one disabled mum, who asked to remain anonymous. She said: “I am a vulnerable adult and I have a child who needs medication kept in the fridge. I can’t afford to put on the heating, it costs me more than £600 a month and all the neighbours are in the same boat.
“I only put it on for an hour a day when my son goes to school. It is pointless.
“But because of my son’s medication, I don’t want to run up bills and get the electricity cut off. The situation has only gotten worse since the cladding came off.”
The mum says she spends most of her time in her draughty house in bed to avoid the conditions which on our reporter’s visit were little warmer than outside.
She continued: “I put my heating and hot water on for an hour and it was costing me over £400 just for electricity before I changed supplier.
“I thought I had to stay with the energy company I had because they were the only ones that did Economy 10. It turns out the system is not Economy 10, so I have changed supplier. Before that, I was getting bills for £400 just for electricity.
“I ended up in £1500 of debt and had to phone Home Energy Scotland – they got it wiped. That was me sitting in a freezing house.
“We have been complaining about the heating system for years and we were promised that it would be sorted. But now they say they have no money to even complete the cladding and windows.
Residents have raised concerns over the state of the building
“I’m getting mould in my house and they just come and paint over it. My wallpaper is peeling off of the walls.
“It is embarrassing because people don’t want to visit because it is so cold. It’s horrific.”
Other residents we spoke to faced similar issues. A 64-year-old said that she has been scared to turn on the heating since it was installed 12 years ago after being hit with a £400 bill immediately.
She added: “I only put it on to heat up the house so I won’t get damp and mould. In all my life I’ve never witnessed conditions worse than this.”
Residents have also raised concerns that the scaffolding has left them feeling unsafe, as strangers have been seen climbing it and looking in windows, they believe in an attempt to gain access to flats. One female resident, also aged 64, told how someone had climbed to near the top before asking to use their toilet.
“I’ve reported It three times. I’ve had a young guy come to my balcony and ask to use my toilet. A young couple said they woke up in their bed and someone was staring in.
“We’ve also had to report the scaffolding as unsafe because bits were flying off of it in the high winds. It could seriously hurt someone below. There is meant to be security and people checking that it is safe.”
Residents have raised concerns over the mould which they say is affecting their health
Other issues residents have faced include a broken lift that went unfixed for around three months. They added, “Our next door neighbour Jim spent his last three months locked in the flat because he couldn’t get out.
“Many elderly and disabled people weren’t able to get out. The stairs are damp and so slippy.
“If you look at the roof it is covered by black mould. It gets worse the higher you go in the building.
A resident, who works as a nurse, added: “We are social tenants and everything that happens, we are brushed aside. We’ve been told that if we are not happy we can hand our keys back.
“They are actually increasing our rents to £500. I work full time and all of my money goes on heating and rent here. It makes me emotional just thinking about it. I’m spending all this money to live in a flat that I can feel the wind blowing in.
“We could give you 100 things going wrong with this building. But it comes down to the fact that they are not making sure we are safe.”
Residents say their health is being affected by the mould.
Another added: “It’s beyond comprehension why they even want to try and save this building. It should be condemned.
“No one is listening to us. We are being seriously mentally and physically affected. Elderly neighbours are putting towels under their doors to try and keep in heat.
“No one should live like this in 2025.”
A spokesperson for Partick Housing Association said: “We acknowledge the recent concerns raised by our residents regarding the planned improvement works which are underway at this building. We have assured residents that we are fully committed to progressing the next phase of works.
“We have been regularly engaging with residents to keep them informed of our plans. Our team is diligent in adhering to our health and safety requirements and we are fully aware of our responsibilities.
“We understand the concerns of our residents and are dedicated to working closely with them to address any issues and ensure their peace of mind. Residents have been issued with direct contact details for us and we encourage those concerned to get in touch.”
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