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20th December, 2024 — Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, has announced that he is working alongside several RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) campaign groups across Scotland to address the ongoing crisis faced by homeowners in properties built with RAAC panels. These homes, many of which were sold under the Right-to-Buy scheme in the 1980s and 1990s, are now suffering from severe structural issues, putting homeowners at risk of financial ruin and homelessness.
In response to this growing crisis, Mr. Chowdhry has submitted a comprehensive set of documents to a leading firm of solicitors, which include original sale agreements, records of sales from the council to homeowners, and subsequent property transfers up to the current owners. This detailed documentation aims to investigate potential legal claims against local authorities for failing to disclose the presence of RAAC in these properties, which are now deemed unsafe and uninhabitable.
A senior partner at the firm of solicitors is currently reviewing the paperwork, and a formal response is expected in January. This review will assess the feasibility of pursuing legal action, including potential claims for compensation, negligence, and the possibility of a class action under a no-win-no-fee arrangement.
The exploration of potential legal action faced an early hurdle when Mr. Chowdhry, who is involved in a forfeiture case concerning one of his properties in London, approached his city solicitor firm to inquire whether they operated in Scotland. While the firm did not, one of the partners handling Mr. Chowdhry's personal claim referred him to a Scottish solicitor who agreed to review the details of his situation.
Unfortunately, the solicitor’s response was not encouraging. He wrote:
"Thanks again for reaching out on this one. I have discussed internally, and there is a general feeling that we are more aligned with defending group proceeding claims rather than acting for the groups themselves.
I have asked internally about firms typically acting on the claimant side (or 'pursuer' side, as we say in Scotland), and the following names were suggested. Some of these may already be familiar to you:"
The solicitor provided a list of four prominent law firms specializing in such litigation. Undeterred, Mr. Chowdhry contacted all of them, sharing a detailed synopsis outlining why he believed there might be merit to the case. The matter remains in the research phase as Mr. Chowdhry awaits further feedback from the firms.
Mr. Wilson Chowdhry, speaking as Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:
“We are committed to ensuring that the voices of homeowners affected by RAAC are heard and that they receive the justice and compensation they deserve. This is an urgent issue, and we are hopeful that the legal review will provide a clear path forward to challenge the system and hold those responsible to account.”
He contrasted the circumstances in England, such as at Knights Estate in Basildon, with the situation in Scotland, highlighting the disparity in how affected homeowners have been treated. Mr. Chowdhry played a key role in securing a fair outcome for council tenants in Basildon, who were provided with £8,680 relocation grants, and for homeowners, who received equitable deals in the sale of their properties. This was achieved through swift and compassionate action by the council, which, despite a lack of UK Government funding, took its responsibilities seriously and acted decisively to support its residents.
Mr Chowdhry, added:
“With avaricious councils seeking to pay a pittance under voluntary agreements or refusing to offer grants, loans, or shared equity schemes to assist homeowners in increasingly dire circumstances, many are now in deep depression, with some nearing suicidal despair. The bureaucratic indifference displayed is a tragic indictment of how politics and local authority responsibilities are failing homeowners in Scotland.”
Kerry Mackintosh, Vice Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:
“In 2004, when I faced the devastating crisis of losing my home to RAAC, no solicitor firm was willing to listen. I am deeply grateful for what Wilson Chowdhry has accomplished here. Even if this does not make it to court, we will have sent a clear message to the Government and Scottish local authorities: they cannot strip us of our hard-earned homes without a fight.
These authorities have preyed on our vulnerabilities, knowing that we are not among the wealthiest communities in the country. They have sought to profit from our misfortune, selling properties built cheaply with defective materials, only to later disown any responsibility for the consequences. Shame on them.”
The UK RAAC Campaign Group continues to push for accountability and support for homeowners who are facing life-changing consequences due to the presence of RAAC in their homes. As the review progresses, further updates will be shared with the public.
Fiona Crichton, Secretary of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:
“We cannot win this battle alone. We urge groups that have not yet coordinated with us to come forward and assist in obtaining details of council-to-ex-tenant sales. Additionally, we are seeking at least one individual who has purchased these properties through private sales to share their legal purchase documents. This will enable us to better assess the merits of pursuing a litigation case. We hope more people will step forward to support this crucial effort.”
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