CAMPAIGNERS have taken aim at Scotland’s housing regulator after rejecting a “shabby” merger deal.

Despite having no debt and more than £2 million in reserves, management at Reidvale Housing Association in Glasgow’s East End had backed plans to transfer 900 homes — worth £100m — to UK-wide social landlord Places for People in return for £13m as the only way to secure investment.

Now, fresh from binning the plans at Monday’s meeting, residents have shifted their gaze to the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR), which they believe was the driving force behind what local Labour MSP Paul Sweeney described as a shabby deal.

Mr Sweeney said: “This must be the end of any attempt to transfer into the hands of a profit-driven mega-housing group, and it should serve as the moment to realise the potentials that come with community ownership.

“The SHR must respect the members’ desires and assist in securing the future of Reidvale Housing Association as community-owned.”

A spokesperson for the SHR told the Star: “Reidvale must now provide us with a clear plan for how it will address the serious weaknesses it has and so comply with all of its legislative and regulatory obligations.”