Govan Law Centre to fight poor housing conditions in Dundee

Govan Law Centre is sending a team of five legal experts to Dundee tomorrow to provide legal services for tenants who are living in cold, damp homes which are difficult to heat or in need of repair.

Govan Law Centre lawyers said they were appalled to read the recent fuel poverty statistics showing that Dundee has the worst fuel poverty, and some of the worst housing conditions in Scotland. Local councillors are reporting that people in the city are living in accommodation that is difficult to heat, that is not wind or water tight, cold and draughty, and in need of repair.

Govan Law Centre is one of the biggest community law centres in the UK. While based in Glasgow, its principal solicitor advocate, Mike Dailly, was born and brought up in Dundee.

He said: “I was appalled to hear that people are still living in such terrible housing conditions in my city of Dundee. We will be holding a legal surgery and ask anyone who has problems with their home to come and get some free advice.

“If we can, we will take on their case. People should not be spending more than 10 per cent of their income to heat cold and draughty homes. We need to make sure we hold landlords to account. It is very clear that we need to look at how we enforce repairs. Govan Law Centre exists to use the law to fight social injustice and discrimination and we are happy to do that anywhere in Scotland”

Govan Law Centre, Legal Surgery for Dundee Tenants will be held on Friday, 3 February from 11-3pm. The Free drop-in will be at Showcase the Street, Manhattan Works, Dundonald St, DD3 7PY. The advice will be free, confidential and independent.