Residents of Torry, Aberdeen Face Housing Crisis Amidst RAAC Safety Concerns

Date: February 3, 2024

Torry, Aberdeen - Residents of Torry, Aberdeen were taken by surprise upon receiving a letter from Aberdeen City Council in November 2023, revealing that their homes were constructed with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roofs. This revelation has raised serious safety concerns, as RAAC is now recognized as a substandard building material, putting thousands of houses at risk of potential collapse.

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Approximately 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry are believed to be affected, with fears mounting about the structural integrity of these buildings. While Aberdeen City Council has clarified that other properties under their ownership, totaling 23,000 homes, remain unaffected, the gravity of the situation in Torry has left residents anxious and uncertain about the future of their homes.

In a recent letter addressed to council tenants and homeowners (including those who purchased ex-council properties), the city council outlined plans for inspection surveys within council properties. However, property owners were advised to arrange and bear the costs of their own surveys, with little to no support offered by the council.

One concerned homeowner, 19-year-old Hannah Chowdhry, shared her worries about the situation, expressing concerns about the potential chaos and financial burden. She highlighted the lack of response from Aberdeen City Council to her queries and emphasized the impact this revelation could have on her investment in her first home and fears of her roof collapsing while she was present in her home (click here).

In response to the crisis, her father Mr. Wilson Chowdhry, inquiring about inspection costs, contacted Fairhurst and Partners a contractor currently providing services to Aberdeen City Council  The estimated cost for a preliminary cursory inspection alone was staggering at £500, with potential expenses reaching up to £2000, excluding any repair costs that might follow.

Despite the alarming situation, Aberdeen City Council has stated that they won't be providing financial support to homeowners for their costs. Instead, they are exploring options with external bodies, including the national government, in the hope of determining a comprehensive plan for addressing the crisis. The priority will be to cover costs for their own council homes but they hope it will extend to private homeowners. 

RAAC gained national attention in recent years, particularly after a primary school building in Gravesend, Kent, collapsed in 2018, leading to multiple school closures across the UK (click here). The concrete material, used as a cheaper alternative in construction between the 1950s and 1990s, is known for its brittleness and susceptibility to moisture absorption, putting buildings at risk of deterioration.

Aberdeen City Council assures residents that a full risk assessment is underway, and they are actively seeking guidance from local and national government to minimize the impact on affected parties. An officer wrote to Mr. Chowdhry, stating, "... at this point in time, we are working to formulate a plan around what may be required for both tenants and owners of these properties, by undertaking a full risk assessment and appraisal of options. This will allow us to determine what, if any, work is required and the related projected costs.Unfortunately, at this point in time, we cannot confirm ACC directly will be in a position to support private owners."

The situation echoes a nationwide concern, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address the challenges posed by RAAC in buildings across the country. 

Wilson Chowdhry expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "It is unacceptable that Aberdeen City Council is disavowing responsibility for homes constructed on a budget, now revealed to be structurally substandard.

"For every penny they saved, unsuspecting buyers of these properties are now burdened with thousands of pounds in expenses.

"My 19-year-old daughter, who diligently saved for her first home, is now confronted with a severe financial predicament due to the callous cost-cutting measures adopted by ACC.

"I am aware of numerous older homeowners grappling with the dilemma of either straining their finances for inspections and repairs or risking a potential roof collapse by taking no action."

"This is a tragic example of how inefficient and insouciant Aberdeen Council is, they have exhibited a dereliction of duty by transferring the danger they created."

Hannah Chowdhry, has created a petition seeking support from the Scottish devolved Parliament and UK Parliament, you can sign it (here)