Students 'don't want to live in a dodgy HMO', says Glasgow City Council leader

Students no longer want to live in a “dodgy HMO” in Glasgow, according to council leader Susan Aitken, as she confirmed efforts are continuing to boost accommodation choices.

The University of Glasgow capped increases in student numbers last year due to lack of housing and has rolled out scaled back “managed growth admissions” rules for this academic year.

Answering a question on housing problems for people studying in the city, councillor Aitken said: “The University of Glasgow did put a cap on the increase in the number of students it was expecting for a couple of years because there were concerns about capacity not only with regards to accommodation capacity within the city but also within its own campus.”

She added: “When it comes specifically to students, at the risk of sounding like an old git – ‘it is not like it was in my day.’

“Students are no longer prepared with very good reason to live in a dodgy HMO – they are looking for decent quality accommodation and absolutely fair play to them.”

The SNP politician told the meeting that late councillor Kenny McLean had been having discussions with universities around the gap in the city and there were plans for a “significant pipeline of student accommodation.”

Describing the city as “enormously popular,” she said: “We are a victim of our own success” and pointed out how Glasgow has one of the best graduate retention rates in the UK.

She was responding to a question from Labour councillor Saqib Ahmed who queried if there were plans to build good and cheap student accommodation.

Scottish Greens Councillor Martha Wardrop said: “I think we have to recognise we have quite rigorous legislation for HMOs now.

“We have high quality tenement properties available for students. We take great pride in our tenement stock and it is a great place to live in some of the most diverse vibrant communities in the world.”

The matter was discussed at the city administration committee last week as Glasgow’s International Strategy for 2025 to 2030 was presented.

The strategy involving the council and partners contains a range of actions including creating a global Glaswegians network.

Councillor Aitken said: “This strategy aims to support businesses with export trade and inward investment, to grow the city’s reputation in key global markets, to promote Glasgow to prospective international students to tourists and to event organisers and to add an international dimension to our 850th birthday celebrations next year and for communities across the city.”

The City Administration Committee approved the International Strategy for Glasgow.