Bellsmyre Housing Association (BHA) is currently consulting tenants ahead of proposals to become part of the Caledonia Housing Association Group.

The move follows concerns by industry body the Scottish Housing Regulator about BHA’s governance and ability to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard this year.

Bellsmyre tenant Tommy Lusk has complained information provided to tenants about the plans is inadequate, particularly concerning £20 higher rent charged by Caledonia for two-bedroom flats like his on Merkins Avenue.

He accused the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (Tpas), which has sent out newsletters and leaflets about the proposal after being commissioned by BHA, of an ‘advertising campaign’ designed to encourage the partnership ahead of a tenant vote on the plan.

He said: “As a tenant I’m getting information through the door and I’m asking Tpas to clarify some of the things because most of them are generalisations.

“They tell us that there’s been problems and they have done an options appraisal, looking at different options, and they decided the best option to solve the problem was the partnership.

“I don’t know the background to all this, what the problem was and what other options they were looking at. There’s no point asking tenants to vote on something that you will not give enough information on.” Mr Lusk, 54, says he requested more information about the options only to be told it was ‘confidential’, and that there was no information on plans to harmonise rents – which he fears could lead to a steep increase.

He said: “According to the Scottish Housing Regulator several rent types by Caledonian are higher than the Scottish average and higher than Bellsmyre.

“The two apartment is particularly high – £20 a week dearer – so living in a two apartment I’m concerned about that.” He added: “I think what we are getting off them is an advertising campaign to get a particular result.

“At the end of the day it makes a mockery of having a ballot.” He has set up a website an alternative version of the newsletter sent out by the association.

The latest figures from the Scottish Housing Regulator show that the average weekly rent for Bellsmyre two bedroom property is £60.03, while for Caledonia it is £80.33. The Scottish average for this type of property is £65.01.

The figures show Caledonian is higher than Bellsmyre for two and three bed properties, but lower for four and five bed homes.

If the merger goes ahead the housing association has pledged to freeze rents for 2015/16 and to have inflation only rent increases until 2018.

Lesley Baird of Tpas said: “We were disappointed to hear that a tenant is dissatisfied with us, we are a well-respected organisation known for excellence and have never had such negative feedback.

“There has been a flow of information for tenants and owners, in additional to local meetings we are always available to provide tenants with impartial advice and information by freepost, freephone or email.

“Our planned newsletter and meetings in December did not go ahead, but with little or new information we felt it better to wait until we had more information rather than regurgitate old information.

“Information will be out to tenants next week and in the weeks leading up to the ballot. There will be an information session for tenants in the next few weeks, this will provide tenants with up to date information and the opportunity to ask questions. You cannot ask a newsletter a question – we would urge tenants to attend.

“It is important to stress that the partnership proposals are not a done deal. Tenants will have the opportunity to take part in a secret ballot being undertaken by the Electoral Reform Society in February.

“If the partnership goes ahead or not, rents will continue to be set by the Bellsmyre committee of management and consulted only with Bellsmyre tenants.

“Our role is to provide factual impartial information, which we have done and will continue to do. One of our team is currently assessing the proposals to ensure they are robust and affordable. If we have any qualms about the partnership we will share this with tenants.” BHA interim director Brenda Higgins said the association had held meetings for tenants and owners, facilitated by Tpas, regarding the partnership and planned more meetings before the ballot.

She said they also spent ‘considerable time’ knocking on doors to discuss the proposals face to face and said any tenant who wanted more information should contact or visit the office.