Last month, we revealed Bellsmyre Housing Association (BHA) and Dundee-based Caledonia had entered into talks.

BHA announced in December it was seeking a partner in order to improve its services and secure its own future.

After discussions with a number of housing associations, BHA chose Caledonia — who partnered up with Renton-based Cordale earlier this year — as its preferred partner going forward.

However, a long-standing BHA tenant has criticised both BHA and the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) for keeping tenants and members in the dark throughout the selection process.

Tommy Lusk, who lives on Merkins Avenue, told the Reporter: “It’s almost as if the tenants and members are treated as an inconvenience. We hadn’t been told anything until the letter informing us about the talks was sent out the other week.

“They [SHR] also talk about a need for improved governance but you should start with the members, that’s what the housing association is supposed to be about.

“The regulator makes a big deal about looking after the interests of tenants but it seems they act based on what they think is best for tenants.

“Bellsmyre told the regulator last December that they were looking for a partner, but the regulator didn’t say that they should keep the tenants or members informed.

“There’s no legal requirement to keep the tenants involved but it’s the members who are supposed to make these decisions — this has been one of the problems over the years.” In March, SHR released a regulation plan for BHA in which it stated: “We will have medium engagement with Bellsmyre to consider its proposals for a constitutional partnership, to get assurance it is improving its governance and to monitor its progress with achieving SHQS (Scottish Housing Quality) and addressing service quality issues.” Commenting on Mr Lusk’s claims last week, a spokesman for SHR said they were a regulatory body and housing associations remained independent organisations.

He added: “Bellsmyre Housing Association has been taking forward a partnership proposal with another landlord. It has communicated with its tenants and members, and it has kept us up-to-date with its partnership proposals.” BHA have said clients were made aware of the partnership as soon as Caledonia was selected as the preferred partner. John Mulholland, the interim director of BHA said: “Bellsmyre has just appointed the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) which is an independent body which acts in the interests of tenants.

“They have been appointed to assist and be a resource for tenants to access information and facilitate the consultation process.

“This process will begin in a few weeks time and tenants will be issued with a news letter explaining why Bellsmyre needed a partner and the process which led to Caledonia’s selection.”