Glasgow’s tenements are recognised around the world. The distinctive sandstone buildings are as much a part of Glasgow’s reputation as our iconic shipbuilding industry, our humour or our tenacity.

More than one fifth of Glasgow’s homes were built over 100 years ago, with the oldest tenement building reportedly dating back to 1771. Three quarters of us live in flats of some sort.

These tenements were, for the most part, built to last. But we’ve seen increasing numbers of reports and press articles about parts of buildings falling away, disrepair and lack of proper maintenance chipping away at the cornerstone of our city’s residential heritage.

The estimated repair bill? Almost £3billion. An eye-watering figure.

This is a huge challenge for our city. We cannot simply allow these buildings to fall down. Action is needed urgently.

Because they are people’s homes.

So where’s the action plan? Where’s the urgency, from either the SNP in Glasgow or in Edinburgh?

Exacerbating the challenge is the growth in the private rented sector, where landlords, often exploitative property managers, do not view their property as a home for someone to live in. It is no surprise that those properties that are falling apart are in areas with high concentrations of private renting.

The private rented sector has exploded in Glasgow over the last decade, with average rents rising from just over £564 to over £740 per month.

To help address these two issues, I was proud to support a Labour initiative at the last meeting of Glasgow City Council.

A “Mary Barbour” law would ensure that rent increases are capped while forcing landlords to take greater responsibility for the condition of our city’s fabric.

I was disappointed that the SNP joined with the Tories to oppose this much-needed bill.