Free winter homes checks for vulnerable tenants

Tenant Peter Allan watches on as plumber Ross McGhee bleeds his radiator.

Around 4,000 tenants across the city have booked a WinterReady appointment to get their home ready for the cold weather.

The scheme is being run by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), Cube Housing Association and West Lothian Housing Partnership.

A plumber visits the tenant and checks the boiler, pipes and taps and also bleeds the radiators.

Residents are shown how to set their heating, turn off the water in the event of an emergency and where to find their stop cock.

They also receive handy tips to keep their home warm during the cold spell, help on what to do in the event of a home emergency and how to book a free flu jab.

Tenant Peter Allan (74) and his wife Roseanne (69), from Milton, were one of the first to book a home check.

Peter said: “We had it last year as well. It’s very good. The plumber came out and checked our heating - and he even fitted a new battery in our smoke detector.

“There were no problems with our home. It gives you peace of mind, especially with the way the weather is getting colder.”

The WinterReady campaign, which is in its third year, is available to West Lothian Housing Partnership tenants and GHA and Cube tenants who are over 60 or disabled.

GHA, Cube and West Lothian Housing Partnership have around 16,000 tenants who are over 60.

GHA chairperson Gordon Sloan said: “The winter months are a particularly worrying time for our older and most vulnerable tenants. The home checks and winter tips will give tenants peace of mind during the worst of the weather.”

Liz Ruine, chairperson of Cube, said: “The WinterReady campaign will really help Cube tenants. It will mean the most vulnerable tenants can keep warm and cosy this winter.”

Tenants are also reminded to make use of:

-The Handyperson Service which provides help with small jobs round the home for tenants who are over 60 and the disabled.

-A free Home Fire Safety visit. A fire safety officer will carry out a safety check and fit a smoke detector for tenants who don’t have one.

- The Fuel Advice Service which can help residents stay warm in their home and still save money on their heating bills.

-Welfare Benefit advisors who can provide free advice and make sure tenants claim all of the benefits they are entitled to.