When Valuations Stop Making Sense: A RAAC Homeowner’s Concern in Balnagask

Image: Wilson Chowdhry and his daughter Hannah Chowdhry taking the lead in the first meeting with senior Aberdeen council officers, advocating for residents and demanding a fair deal. Photo taken outside Marischal College on 26th July 2024, before meeting with Stephen Booth, Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord, and John Wilson, Chief Officer – Capital. The meeting revealed that unfair voluntary acquisitions were being offered, while homeowners still held the expectation that the council would provide a fair deal (click here).

As Aberdeen City Council progresses its programme to acquire and demolish RAAC-affected homes in Balnagask, many homeowners have accepted that difficult decisions lie ahead. What should not be difficult, however, is ensuring that valuations are transparent, consistent, and fair.

Recent correspondence regarding the proposed purchase of 219 Farquhar Road has raised serious questions about whether that standard is being met.

A Four-Bedroom Home Valued Like a Three-Bedroom One

Through conversations with local residents, it has become apparent that three-bedroom RAAC-affected properties in the area are being valued at between £72,000 and £78,000. Against that background, it is troubling that a four-bedroom property has been valued at £76,000, a figure that appears indistinguishable from valuations applied to smaller homes.

Independent RICS surveyors have confirmed that, as a general principle, an additional bedroom would normally add at least £10,000 to the value of a residential property. This is not a controversial view. Property professionals and housing analysts consistently note that additional habitable space typically contributes more to value than cosmetic finish, because space offers choice and flexibility that décor cannot.

A larger home can accommodate growing families, allow for home working, provide storage without compromising living areas, and adapt to changing needs over time. These advantages exist regardless of personal taste in decoration and are a core component of how homes are valued.

Improvements That Appear to Have Been Overlooked

There is also concern that significant remedial works undertaken at the property may not have been reflected in the valuation.

Following issues identified in a HomeBuyer Report, the basement was professionally retanked, a damp-proof course installed, and surface pavement repairs completed to prevent water ingress — works costing over £5,000. These were not cosmetic upgrades but essential remedial measures addressing structural and moisture-related concerns.

Subsequently, further investment of approximately £3,000 was made to transform the basement into a practical, daily-use storage area. This included the installation of stairs and a handrail, plasterboarding and painting of walls, and the addition of shelving. As a result, usable space was significantly increased, freeing up living areas elsewhere in the home.

In any normal market context, such works would be expected to have a material impact on value.

Questions About the Valuation Process

The valuation outcome naturally leads to questions about how the figure was reached.

Was the valuation based on a full physical inspection, and if so, when did that take place? The homeowner is not aware of any recent inspection. Alternatively, was the assessment carried out as a desktop valuation, relying on assumptions rather than a detailed understanding of the property’s layout, condition, and improvements?

There is also a need for reassurance about the independence of the valuation process. While it is hoped that no specific directions or assumptions were provided by the local authority, transparency on this point is essential to maintaining confidence — not just for one household, but for all affected homeowners.

Why Comparisons Matter

Without breaching GDPR or disclosing personal data, there is a strong public interest in understanding how valuations differ between three-bedroom and four-bedroom RAAC-affected properties, and whether those differences are being applied consistently.

Such comparisons would help determine whether this valuation is an anomaly or part of a broader pattern. This is particularly important given the evolving nature of the RAAC programme and the introduction of fixed additional payments, which may unintentionally influence base valuations.

A Wider Issue Than One Home

This is not simply about one property or one family. It goes to the heart of how fairness is delivered in a situation where homeowners did not choose to live with RAAC, did not cause the problem, and now face life-changing disruption as a result of it.

If valuations are perceived as inconsistent, opaque, or politically influenced, trust in the entire process erodes. Transparency, clarity, and a willingness to explain methodology are therefore not optional extras — they are essential.

Homeowners deserve to understand how figures are reached, to see that like is being compared with like, and to feel confident that their homes are not being undervalued simply because circumstances have left them with little bargaining power.

In a crisis not of their making, fair valuation should be the minimum standard, not a point of contention.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said: 

"I was already incensed that several homeowners, who had waited in the hope of a better deal than what was initially offered, were compelled to accept Aberdeen City Council’s new fixed payment offer before valuations had even been undertaken. This situation seems even more concerning now, as there is a growing perception among affected residents that valuations may be intentionally low, potentially to limit costs following the agreement of the fixed payment.

Given the seriousness of the situation facing RAAC homeowners in Balnagask, I have written formally to the Scottish Government and Aberdeen City Council seeking clarity and reassurance about the valuation and acquisition process. This includes correspondence to the Housing Minister for Scotland, Màiri McAllan, Stephen Booth, Deputy Director for Better Homes and Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord at Aberdeen City Council, Eleanor Sheppard, Executive Director of Families and Communities, and Rebecca Keane MRICS, Senior Surveyor at District Valuer Services.

To date, only Stephen Booth has responded. He has confirmed that Aberdeen City Council has instructed the Valuation Office Agency to act on its behalf in relation to voluntary acquisitions and has advised that valuation queries should be taken up directly with the VOA, noting that the Council has agreed to meet reasonable professional fees should homeowners seek independent valuation advice.

While I welcome this response, the lack of engagement from others is disappointing given the scale of disruption homeowners are facing. I have now requested a meeting with Mr Booth and Ms Sheppard to discuss what happens next for affected households, so that I can clearly and accurately set out the process for all remaining Balnagask RAAC homeowners. Transparency and consistency are essential if confidence in this programme is to be maintained.”

IIn a post in October 2025, following the Council’s decision to introduce a fixed payment, I raised concerns that homeowners who engaged later in the process should not be penalised with lower offers than those made to early participants. It is crucial that the Council maintains transparency and consistency, so that all affected residents can have confidence in the process. You can read more about this in my earlier post here: Aberdeen’s breakthrough on RAAC is just the start.

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RAAC Homeowners’ Petition Presented to Parliament: What Happened and What Comes Next

Wilson Chowdhry and Brian Leishman

On Tuesday 27 January 2026, at approximately 7:54 pm, a petition on behalf of RAAC-affected homeowners across the UK was formally presented to the House of Commons by Brian Leishman MP.

The petition was originally written by Wilson Chowdhry of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, reflecting the growing distress faced by families forced from their homes due to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)—a known structural defect now leaving thousands at risk of homelessness, bankruptcy, and long-term trauma.

Why the Petition Was Amended

The original petition called explicitly for a national compensation fund for RAAC homeowners, alongside a public inquiry and legislative reform. However, under parliamentary rules, paper petitions presented to Parliament cannot directly request funding.

As a result, the wording was amended to comply with regulations, while still clearly setting out the injustice faced by homeowners and the urgent need for accountability, reform, and redress.

The Petition Read in the House of Commons

The petition read into the parliamentary record was as follows:

To the House of Commons.

The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that many families across the UK face homelessness, bankruptcy and trauma after being forced from homes made unsafe by RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete), particularly in former council homes purchased under the right to buy scheme.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to hold a public inquiry into the handling of RAAC by national and local government; to introduce legislation to require the maintenance of a high-risk building register; to mandate reporting of building defects by surveyors and other professionals; and to introduce sixty-year liability for developers for building defects; and to consider compensation measures such as a ban on levying interest on mortgages on homes condemned after the discovery of RAAC, and the restoration of first-time buyer status for affected homeowners.

And the petitioners remain, etc.

While the language was necessarily constrained, the message was unmistakable: homeowners who did nothing wrong are paying the price for decades of institutional failure.

What Happens After a Petition Is Presented?

Once a paper petition is presented to Parliament—whether spoken aloud in the chamber or placed in the petition bag—it enters a formal parliamentary process:

1. Official Recording

The petition is:

• Published in Hansard (the official parliamentary record)

• Listed in the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons

This ensures the issue is permanently recorded as a matter formally raised before Parliament.

2. Government Response

A copy of the petition is sent to the relevant Government department, which is expected to provide a written response—known as an “observation”—within two months.
This response is also printed in Hansard.

While the Government is not legally required to act, it must respond publicly.

3. Petitions Committee Oversight

The Petitions Committee monitors all presented petitions and may choose to:

• Refer the issue to a relevant select committee

• Schedule a Westminster Hall debate (rare for paper petitions, but possible)

• Tag the petition to future debates on RAAC or building safety, alerting MPs that the public has formally petitioned on the matter

What This Petition Does — and Does Not — Do

It is important to be clear:

• ❌ It does not trigger a vote

• ❌ It does not compel the Government to change policy

• ✅ It forces a formal Government response

• ✅ It raises the political profile of RAAC

• ✅ It strengthens the case for further parliamentary action

Unlike e-petitions, paper petitions do not require a minimum number of signatures to receive a response. Their power lies in formal parliamentary recognition and persistence.

Why This Still Matters

For RAAC homeowners—particularly those trapped in former council homes bought under Right to Buy—this petition represents more than procedure. It is:

• A formal acknowledgment of injustice

• A demand for accountability

• A building block toward systemic reform

What the UK RAAC Campaign Group Will Continue to Fight For

The UK RAAC Campaign Group will continue pressing for:

• A full public inquiry into the handling of RAAC by national and local government

• Mandatory defect reporting and the creation of a national high-risk building register

• Long-term (60-year) developer liability for serious building defects

• Protection for homeowners from financial ruin, including mortgage and lending safeguards

• A national RAAC remediation and compensation fund, despite this not being permitted within the formal wording of the parliamentary petition

• And ultimately, justice for those abandoned by the system

This petition is not the end of the fight — but it is now on the official record of Parliament, where it belongs.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:

“The petition being read into the House of Commons is an important milestone for homeowners affected by unsafe housing. It ensures their struggles are formally acknowledged and forces a government response. I want to be transparent that the part of the petition calling for legislative change was always intended to cover all homeowners of condemned or unsafe homes, not just those affected by RAAC. That focus didn’t come across in the amended wording, and I take responsibility for not reviewing it closely enough, when sent to me prior to submission. Even so, I remain hopeful that the wider legislative reforms will be considered in future debates, and that this petition will help drive lasting justice and protection for all homeowners at risk. I would also like to thank Brian Leishman and his team for their support in presenting the petition and helping raise these critical issues in Parliament.”

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Historic Milestone: Wilson Chowdhry's UK RAAC Campaign Group Petition to be Presented in Parliament

Wilson Chowdhry met Brian Leishman at his first consultation meeting with affected homeowners in Tilicoultry in January 2024

By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group

The UK RAAC Campaign Group is delighted to announce that our national petition calling for justice for RAAC-affected homeowners will be formally presented in Parliament. MP Brian Leishman has kindly agreed to present the petition during a parliamentary session on Tuesday at approximately 19:00, marking an important milestone in our fight for recognition, accountability, and action.

Parliamentary Presentation Confirmed
Matthew Lawson, Parliamentary Assistant to Brian Leishman MP, confirmed that the petition has been scheduled for presentation in the House of Commons. All original signed petitions have been submitted in accordance with parliamentary procedures, ensuring the petition is ready for formal consideration.

Why This Petition Matters
RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) has left thousands of UK homeowners facing unsafe homes and financial uncertainty. Many affected residents are former council tenants who purchased homes through Right-to-Buy schemes, or subsequent buyers unaware of the structural risks.

The petition calls on Parliament to:

• Establish a national support and compensation fund

• Launch a public inquiry into RAAC management failures

• Introduce legislation ensuring liability, transparency, and homeowner protection

• Restore first-time buyer status for affected owners

• Prevent mortgage interest accumulation on condemned properties

Once presented, the petition will become part of the official parliamentary record (Hansard), and the relevant Government department is legally required to provide a formal response.

You'll be able to watch the petition presentation live on Parliament TV:  https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons

A Step Forward—But Our Work Continues
The presentation of this petition is a historic milestone for RAAC-affected homeowners across the UK. It ensures their voices are formally placed before Parliament and permanently recorded.

We extend our thanks to MP Brian Leishman and his team for their support, and to every campaign member and homeowner who collected signatures and helped raise awareness. Together, we continue the fight for justice, safety, and accountability.

Kerry Macintosh, Co-Vice Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
“The presentation of this petition in Parliament is a vital step forward for homeowners who have been living in fear, uncertainty, and financial distress through no fault of their own. RAAC is not just a construction issue—it is a national failure that has left families trapped in unsafe homes and financial limbo. This petition ensures our voices are formally heard and places a clear responsibility on Government to act, not delay.”

Wilson Chowdhry, Founder of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
“This petition represents the voices of RAAC-affected homeowners across the UK who have been left trapped in unsafe homes and financial ruin through no fault of their own. Having our petition formally presented in Parliament is a critical step towards national recognition and real accountability. We are calling for urgent Government action, including a national compensation and support scheme, a full public inquiry, and legal protections to ensure homeowners are not abandoned again.”

The fight for justice continues—but today, we move one step closer.

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When “Community Empowerment” Fails the Community

By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group

For years, local democracy in Scotland has been inconsistent and, in some cases, completely inaccessible to residents. Whether you want to ask a question, submit a petition, or speak at a council meeting, your ability to engage often depends not on your right to be heard, but on where you live.

That is unacceptable in a modern democracy.

Click video above to hear Scottish Parliamentary Committee debate Wilson Chowdhry's Public Participation Petition – PE2198

This is why I launched Petition PE2198, calling on the Scottish Parliament to establish standardised, fair public participation processes across all Scottish councils. The petition sought minimum national standards for public questions, deputations, and petitions, alongside independent oversight to ensure councils actually comply.

The need for this reform is not theoretical. It is painfully real.

The lived reality for RAAC homeowners

In places like Clackmannanshire, RAAC homeowners have experienced first-hand what happens when councils are allowed to control participation without meaningful safeguards.

• Residents were evicted from their homes due to dangerous RAAC roofs built by councils decades ago.

• Many are now facing financial ruin, forced to pay rent and mortgages at the same time.

• Despite RAAC being a life-altering issue, the council does not permit deputations or public questions, even when RAAC appears on the agenda.

• The council petition process is restrictive, slow, and easily thwarted, meaning issues are often considered long after decisions are effectively settled.

In short, residents whose homes, safety, and finances are at risk are being shut out of the very forums where those decisions are made.

The Scottish Government’s response: permissive, not protective

The Scottish Government points to the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and existing guidance as evidence that participation is already supported. However, as the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) briefing makes clear, it is left to individual local authorities to interpret and apply this legislation.

That is the heart of the problem.

Because there are no mandatory national standards, councils can – and do – choose how much scrutiny, challenge, and public involvement they allow. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) may promote good practice, but it cannot enforce it. The result is a postcode lottery of democracy.

While local flexibility has value, basic fairness should not be optional. No council should be able to entirely deny residents the right to speak, question, or formally challenge decisions that affect their homes and livelihoods.

A petition closed, but the problem unresolved

The Scottish Parliamentary Petitions Committee ultimately closed PE2198, noting that while legislative change might be feasible, there is currently insufficient evidence to mandate a single participation model across all councils. The Government also pointed to future work under the Open Government Action Plan 2026–2030, where a national participation strategy may be explored.

This response effectively kicks the issue into the long grass.

Residents suffering today cannot wait until 2030 for councils to consider whether participation should be strengthened. For RAAC homeowners, the consequences of exclusion are immediate and devastating.

COSLA’s assurances raise serious questions

COSLA has indicated (click here) it may explore voluntary alignment and convene working groups to review best practice. But voluntary measures are precisely what have failed residents so far (read response).

Critical questions remain unanswered:

• How will councils like Clackmannanshire be compelled to adopt meaningful participation mechanisms?

• Will affected groups, such as the UK RAAC Campaign Group, be invited to the table to represent those directly impacted?

• When will mandatory minimum standards be introduced, so residents can never again be completely denied a voice in matters affecting their safety, homes, and financial futures?

Democracy must work when it matters most

Public participation is not a “nice to have”. It is essential, especially when councils are dealing with crises of their own making, such as RAAC. When residents are excluded, trust collapses, decisions go unchallenged, and injustice festers.

Petition PE2198 may be closed, but the issue it exposed is far from resolved. Until Scotland guarantees minimum, enforceable standards of public participation, local democracy will continue to fail the very people it is meant to serve.

“For RAAC homeowners, this isn’t about abstract ideas of participation – it’s about being shut out while decisions are made that destroy our homes and finances. When councils can refuse questions, deputations, or meaningful engagement, residents are left powerless at the very moment they most need to be heard.”
— Kerry Macintosh, Co-Vice-Chair, UK RAAC Campaign Group

“Councils created the RAAC crisis, yet many now block the very residents affected from speaking or even asking questions. Without mandatory participation standards, councils can manage dissent rather than face accountability. Voluntary guidance has failed RAAC homeowners. What’s needed are enforceable minimum standards so no council can silence residents whose safety, homes, and livelihoods are on the line. Local flexibility should never mean residents losing their fundamental right to be heard. The RAAC crisis has shown exactly why Scotland needs consistent, fair participation standards across all councils.”
— Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman, UK RAAC Campaign Group

The fight for justice continues—but today, we move one step closer.

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An Unsigned Letter Says Everything About the Welsh Government RAAC Response

Wilson Chowdhry meeting RAAC-affected residents in Hirwaun as families seek accountability and support, 2025

By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group

This week, I received a response from the Welsh Government to the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s Open Letter on the RAAC National Crisis. The reply, sent from an official Buildings Safety Wales email address, was unsigned (click here to read letter).

The content of the letter was courteous, but ultimately illustrative of the problem homeowners across the UK now face: widespread recognition of harm, paired with a persistent reluctance to accept responsibility or show leadership.

What the Welsh Government said

In summary, the Welsh Government response confirmed that:

• Policy responsibility for RAAC rests with the UK Government;

• The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government has forwarded our letter to the UK Housing Minister for consideration; and

• The Welsh Government remains “committed to working collaboratively” with other governments.

What it did not do is more telling.

What the Welsh Government did not address

The reply did not:

• Engage with the extensive evidence dossier provided on the historic promotion and regulation of RAAC;

• Acknowledge the growing number of Welsh homeowners affected;

• Refer to the findings or pressure arising from the Welsh Petitions Committee;

• Commit to joint action with the Scottish Government;

• State a position on a UK-wide National RAAC Fund—or, if that fails, on a devolved solution; or

• Support calls for a public inquiry into how this material was promoted, regulated, missed, and in some cases concealed.

Most concerningly, the response was unsigned. At a time when families are living with unsafe homes, displacement, debt and deteriorating mental health, the absence of a named official is not a trivial procedural issue. It signals distance, not accountability.

Passing the problem is not leadership

Our Open Letter did not call on devolved governments to bear sole responsibility for a crisis stemming from decisions made before devolution. On the contrary, it made clear that this is a UK-wide building safety failure requiring a nationally funded remedy—and that devolved governments must act to protect citizens if the UK Government abdicates its responsibility.

Devolved governments are not powerless bystanders.

They have:

• A duty to advocate vigorously for their citizens’ safety;

• A platform to apply coordinated political pressure on Westminster; and

• A responsibility to speak plainly and take direct action, including providing immediate remedies, if the UK Government fails to act.

Forwarding correspondence to a UK Minister is not the same as leadership. It is administration.

Why devolved pressure matters

RAAC was promoted, specified and installed during a period of centralised UK control. The consequences are now being managed unevenly across devolved nations, while England continues to under-identify the scale of the problem due to weaker regulatory intervention.

This creates a distorted national picture that allows the UK Government to minimise the crisis and delay action.

Only visible, coordinated pressure from Scotland and Wales—speaking with one voice—can correct that imbalance.

Homeowners are not asking for sympathy

They are asking for:

• Fairness;

• Consistency;

• Restoration to their pre-RAAC financial position or fully funded remediation; and

• An honest reckoning with how this failure occurred.

They are also asking for something more basic: for governments to stop treating this as a problem to be passed on, reframed, or quietly managed, and to start treating it as a national injustice that demands resolution.

What happens next

The UK RAAC Campaign Group has written back to the Welsh Government requesting:

• A named response;

• A clear position on a National RAAC Fund and Public Inquiry; and

• Transparency on what steps are being taken to press the UK Government for action.

Thousands of families are watching. Not for warm words, but for evidence that leadership still exists in public life.

Silence, deflection, and unsigned letters are not solutions.

Action is.

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Renfrewshire Council’s RAAC Response: Reassurance Without Responsibility

Protestors staged Renfrewshire’s first RAAC demonstration in October 2025, responding to the lack of communication from Linstone and Bridgewater Housing Associations.

On 13 January 2026, Renfrewshire Council’s Chief Executive, Alan Russell, issued a formal response to the UK RAAC Campaign Group following our open letter raising urgent concerns about RAAC-affected homes in Linwood, Erskine, and surrounding areas.

While the letter acknowledges that RAAC is a “complex and challenging matter”, it ultimately confirms what hundreds of affected homeowners already feared: Renfrewshire Council does not intend to take responsibility, provide financial support, or offer a pathway out of this crisis for private homeowners.

Acknowledgement Without Action

The Council states it “understands the concerns” of tenants and private homeowners and claims reassurance that Bridgewater and Linstone Housing Associations are taking a “proactive, solution-focused approach”.

Yet for residents living daily with structural uncertainty, this reassurance rings hollow.

Homeowners continue to report:

• Cancelled or delayed meetings

• No costed remediation plans

• No clear timelines

• No acquisition or buy-back offers

• No explanation of what happens if they fail financial probity checks

Acknowledging distress without addressing these realities does not protect families — it prolongs anxiety.

AHSP: A Door Firmly Shut

Perhaps the most significant element of the Council’s letter is its firm rejection of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) as a solution.

Renfrewshire Council states:

• AHSP is being dismissed as ineligible to acquire RAAC-affected homes, despite local authorities being able to apply for funding on behalf of housing associations. With political will, such funding would enable the housing association to act, allowing it to offer RAAC homeowners a fair price using its own funds, as a direct consequence of the grant.

• All AHSP funding is already fully committed to new-build housing

• There is no flexibility within the current Strategic Housing Investment Plan

This position directly contradicts the lived experience of homeowners who have been repeatedly advised — including by government correspondence — to “liaise with the local authority” and explore available funding mechanisms.

The message to residents is clear:
There is no funding, and there will be no reprioritisation.

Passing the Buck — Again

The letter refers residents to the Scottish Government’s “RAAC in Housing” Group, describing it as “the most appropriate forum” for national discussion.

However:

• This group does not provide direct financial support

• Homeowners are not represented

• It offers no immediate solutions for people facing £20,000–£30,000 repair bills

• It does nothing to address collapsing property values or mortgage lock-in

Pointing to a discussion forum is not the same as providing a lifeline.

The Reality for Homeowners

For affected families, the Council’s position translates into impossible choices:

• Stay in unsafe homes

• Take on unaffordable debt — if loans are even available

• Lose all equity built up over decades

• Face long-term financial harm with no public safety net

Many residents are elderly, on fixed incomes, or raising families. Selling is not an option. Moving is not an option. Paying for repairs may not be an option.

Yet the Council concludes there is “no provision” to provide financial support.

What This Letter Really Confirms

Despite careful wording, the Council’s response confirms:

• Renfrewshire Council will not lead on acquisitions

• It will not reprioritise funding

• It will not provide financial assistance

• It considers the issue largely a matter for housing associations and national government

In other words, private homeowners are left stranded between institutions, each deflecting responsibility.

Our Position Remains Unchanged

The UK RAAC Campaign Group maintains that:

• Councils must be active partners, not passive observers

• Funding mechanisms must be adapted to meet an emergency not of residents’ making

• Homeowners must be represented in all discussions

• “Understanding concerns” is not a substitute for action

RAAC is not a theoretical policy issue. It is a structural failure affecting real homes, real families, and real lives.

Until there is a coordinated, funded, cross-agency response, the crisis in Renfrewshire will continue — not because solutions are impossible, but because responsibility is being avoided.

We will continue to press for answers, accountability, and a fair route forward for every affected homeowner.

The fight for justice continues—but today, we move one step closer.

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RAAC in Renfrewshire: Homeowners’ Concerns, Limited Options, and the Stress of Uncertainty

Protestors staged Renfrewshire’s first RAAC demonstration in October 2025, responding to the lack of communication from Linstone and Bridgewater Housing Associations.

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.

Lynda has serious concerns about the impact any sale would have on her tenant and his young child. Meanwhile, her daughter—also a RAAC-affected homeowner—had hoped to sell and buy a house, but those plans were already complicated by the RAAC situation and now feel almost impossible. The strain is compounded by personal circumstances, as she is preparing to undergo a major operation.

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."

Ms Ross-McKay’s daughter, also a homeowner of a RAAC-affected flat on a Bridgewater Housing estate, said:

"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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Ongoing maintenance failures: Long-standing repair issues with roofs and gutters exacerbate the RAAC problem and increase stress for tenants and owners alike.

4. 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.

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