Newly-built council homes in South Ayrshire are ready to welcome new tenants.
And Councillor Philip Saxton said the properties are just as good as those on the private market – with loads of space and high-quality finishes.
Ayrshire Live was given a tour of one-bedroom council flats in Waggon Road, Ayr and Lady Walk in Maybole.
Boasting solar panels, walk-in wardrobes, wet floor shower rooms, USB sockets and high levels of insulation, the homes have already been snapped up.
Labour councillor Saxton, in charge of housing, said: “This is modern 21st century accommodation. These properties are built to a high standard and are just as good as private homes.
“The solar panels take climate change into consideration and it will bring down the cost to tenants.”
From the kitchen sink of the Maybole first-floor flat, you can see views towards the Galloway Hills and there is plenty of garden space.
Inside a ground floor Waggon Road flat, traffic noise from cars passing is practically inaudible thanks to the insulation.
There are automatic doors allowing easy access for older people in the main entrance.
And when visitors buzz the door, the resident can see who is it on a screen before letting them into the amenity property blocks.
Most of the new tenants for the £10 million Waggon Road development will come from the high rise Riverside flats in Ayr, which are due to be demolished.
Councillor Saxton said: “There is no comparison to what people have in the Riverside flats at the moment. These are lifelong homes and we are making sure people are comfortable in their homes. They are energy efficient – up to the Scottish Quality Housing standard.”
Fourteen homes were built in the Maybole £2.9m development, including eight one-bedroom flats, four one-bedroom bungalows and a couple of two-bedroom houses.
The Waggon Road estate will have 76 homes with nine finished and others in construction.
A one-bedroom council flat home costs about £80 per week to rent.
Councillor Saxton said the council administration had committed to providing 580 new social homes.
He said he believes that will be exceeded by May next year with about 800 new affordable homes made available.
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