For many homeowners in Renfrewshire, the past few years have been a period of growing anxiety and uncertainty. At the heart of this is the issue of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a material used in construction that, over time, has shown structural weaknesses. Bridgewater Housing Association (BHA), the local housing provider, has been at the centre of efforts to address RAAC in its housing stock. But recent communications reveal just how complicated and stressful the situation is for affected homeowners and tenants alike.
The Latest Update from Bridgewater Housing Association
In December 2025, BHA sent a letter inviting homeowners and tenants to Resident Information Update Meetings scheduled for January 2026. These meetings are intended to:
-
Update residents on the current RAAC situation
-
Explain next steps for managing repairs or replacements
-
Give residents the opportunity to ask questions directly
The meetings are scheduled for 14 and 15 January 2026 at the Bracken Bar & Restaurant in Erskine. While the invitation reflects BHA’s commitment to open communication, the letter also included information about a potential property purchase option via the Scottish Government’s Rental Off The Shelf (ROTS) scheme.
Under this scheme:
-
BHA could potentially buy affected properties from owners
-
The sale must be concluded by 31 March 2026
-
The Association can only offer Home Report valuations (market value, with no RAAC-related deductions they state)
-
The property must demonstrate financial viability for BHA
At first glance, this seemed like a lifeline for some homeowners. But the fine print—and the short timelines—have caused significant stress.
The Homeowner Perspective
Local RAAC homeowner, Lynda Ross-McKay, shared her frustrations and concerns after receiving the letter.
Initially, she was hopeful. The letter suggested that something was finally being done to address RAAC, and she considered the possibility of selling her flat. But reality quickly set in:
-
She contacted BHA and was informed that the Home Report would not reflect RAAC issues
-
BHA also indicated they prefer not to take on existing tenants, leaving her with a difficult choice
-
The short timeline to complete a sale (by March 31) is too tight to give her tenant proper notice
Lynda describes feeling “thrown an ambiguous lifeline.” Selling would only be viable if she received pre-RAAC value, but she cannot risk starting that process without certainty. Meanwhile, ongoing issues with her flat’s roof and gutters, ignored by BHA for years, have only added to her anxiety. Water has poured into internal common areas during winter storms, and repairs remain unresolved.
Her situation is compounded by personal factors: she is preparing for a major operation and has concerns about her tenant and his young child if she proceeds with any sale. Her dreams of selling and buying a house were already complicated by the RAAC situation, and now they feel almost impossible.
Ms Ross-McKay, said:
"When I saw the paragraph offering the option to sell, I was intrigued. Could I get full market value? Would they keep my tenant? I called the next day—Christmas Eve—and was told the Home Report wouldn’t mention RAAC, and that they preferred not to have my tenant. Now I’m in a quandary: if I meet them on the 14th and they offer a non-RAAC Home Report value, I won’t have time to give my tenant notice, so I can’t sell. If I give notice now, will they pay the price I want? I can’t risk it. This is stressful. Our flat was meant to be part of our pension plan; selling was a last resort. Yet I feel like I’ve been thrown an ambiguous lifeline with no clear way forward. The short notice is unrealistic for anyone with tenants, which applies to most of these flats. It would be far better if the Association could take the property and rehouse my tenant during repairs—something I cannot do, and it worries me for him and his son."
"For three years my daughter and I have been complaining about gutter and fascia repairs, and leaks to the communal roof, but nothing has been done—the building continues to deteriorate. Over the last two winters, water has poured down the internal walls, and my landing has had up to two inches of water coming through a RAAC roof. This was my first flat, and I’ve worked hard to make it perfect. I love my flat and the views, but Bridgewater seem to be letting the building rot, refusing to carry out basic roof or gutter repairs. I recently got married, and our plan was to sell and buy a house. The recent letter gave me hope, but the timelines are too tight to find somewhere else, and I could only sell if I received pre-RAAC value. I’m facing a serious operation soon and will be off work, and I don’t need the stress of not knowing when repairs will be done or how much they will cost."
Bridgewater Housing Association’s Position
In a previous response to the UK RAAC Campaign Group (read more here), BHA clarified their constraints:
-
Funding limitations: BHA does not have dedicated funds to buy back RAAC-affected homes. Only limited government funding through the ROTS scheme is available, which comes with strict conditions
-
Engagement with residents: BHA emphasizes that they maintain communication through meetings, newsletters, and a dedicated RAAC webpage, but costings for repairs are not yet available
-
Repair timelines and costs: Until costs are confirmed, BHA cannot provide concrete details, timelines, or financial assistance
BHA assures residents they are acting “with integrity and urgency” within the limits of government funding and regulatory constraints.
The Core Issues
For homeowners like Lynda, the situation highlights several broader problems:
-
Short timelines for government schemes: The ROTS purchase option requires sales to conclude by March 31, leaving little room for tenants to be rehoused or homeowners to make informed decisions.
-
Financial uncertainty: Homeowners cannot rely on receiving full market value that accounts for RAAC issues, yet selling under these conditions may be their only way to avoid long-term risk.
-
Ongoing maintenance failures: Long-standing repair issues with roofs and gutters exacerbate the RAAC problem and increase stress for tenants and owners alike.
-
Stress and health impact: Homeowners face significant anxiety, particularly when health issues, family considerations, and financial security are involved.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming resident information meetings in January 2026 will be critical for affected homeowners and tenants. These meetings will provide updates on:
-
RAAC repair plans
-
Timelines and funding availability
-
Options for homeowners considering the ROTS scheme
For residents, preparation is key: they should review their concerns, questions, and personal constraints ahead of the meetings. For those with tenants, considering tenant rights and notice periods is crucial before engaging with any potential property sale.
Conclusion
The RAAC issue in Renfrewshire illustrates the difficult balancing act between government funding limitations, housing association constraints, and the needs of homeowners and tenants. For homeowners like Lynda, what began as a hopeful letter became a source of stress and uncertainty.
The situation underscores a critical need for clear communication, realistic timelines, and transparent options. Until repair costs and government support are clarified, homeowners are left in a precarious position—torn between financial security, tenant welfare, and the integrity of their property.
Residents and homeowners are encouraged to stay informed through Bridgewater Housing Association’s RAAC webpage and to participate actively in the January meetings to ensure their voices are heard.
The fight for justice continues—but today, we move one step closer.
📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry
#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence
