DOZENS of Aberdeen homeowners who are affected by potentially dangerous concrete are refusing to take part in a voluntary purchase scheme.
The group of residents are calling for a guarantee that repair costs will not be deducted from the purchase of their homes.
Almost 140 private owners in the Torry area of the city live in homes where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) has been found.
Aberdeen City Council is offering private homeowners the market value of their properties and a home loss payment of up to £15,000.
However, the council is deducting the cost of repairing the Raac roof panels from the home value saying the valuation should reflect the current condition of the properties.
The local authority has elected to demolish around 350 Raac-affected council properties in the city.
Aberdeen City Council has written to those who own their homes asking if they wish to partake in a voluntary acquisition process.
One homeowner, John Meiklejohn, told the BBC he, along with a mass meeting with other residents last week, decided to refuse the scheme due to the “Raac penalty”.
“Ultimately, where we have this sticking block is the council were insistent on effectively deducting the cost of making the Raac panels good,” he told BBC Scotland News.
“We believe this will run into tens of thousands of pounds, leaving everyone in negative equity on their properties.
“The majority of people have agreed not to engage with the voluntary acquisition process until we receive written confirmation from Aberdeen City Council that the cost of making good the panels will be disregarded from the valuation of our homes.”
Meiklejohn told the BBC that costs from the council to remove and replace the Raac panels were between £40,000 and £71,000 per house.
Recent valuations suggest that some of the properties could be worth up to £130,000, and by deducting the theoretical cost of repairs it would have a significant impact on how much money owners would receive from the purchase scheme.
“I’m waking up at ridiculous times of the night and finding it difficult to get back to sleep,” Meiklejohn said.
“My head keeps going over this, and the fact that I am going to effectively be knocked off the property market, with little to no chance of getting back onto it.”
Aberdeen City Council said only a “general form” of correspondence was currently taking place, while it continued to liaise with both council and private residents.
In a statement the local authority said: “The council agreed to purchase private properties by voluntary agreement to allow demolition to proceed safely and smoothly across the affected area.
“This was to be on the same basis as the CPO [compulsory purchase order] process.
“As a result, the valuation should reflect the current condition of the property, including the fact that the roof is constructed with Raac panels.
“Owners will be offered reasonable legal costs, and home loss and disturbance payments.”
