Council yet to agree purchase of any Raac homes

Yahoo

05-02-2025

Aberdeen City Council has yet to agree the purchase of any privately-owned homes found to have potentially dangerous concrete, a meeting has been told.
The local authority wants to buy the 138 former council properties which contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).
This would be through a process of voluntary acquisition but many residents are refusing to engage, amid anger about valuations.
Wilson Chowdhry, who chairs the UK Raac Campaign Group, told a council meeting that not a single property deal being completed showed the plan was a "failure".
A report for the council said that, as of 20 January, four owners have indicated they would accept an offer but no agreements have been reached so far.
A total of 138 private properties and 366 council homes were found to have Raac in their roof panels in 2023.
Aberdeen City Council then announced plans to demolish the council homes affected on safety grounds.
The council said it would offer market value for the privately-owned properties alongside other legal, home-loss and disturbance payments.
Mr Chowdhry was given time to make a deputation at a council meeting on Wednesday morning.
He said patience was wearing thin and the process was "stalling".
Mr Chowdhry described offers being received by residents as "insultingly low", and highlighted only four people remained in discussions.
"This is a humiliating failure," he said. "Not a single property has been acquired."
In December, a "disgusted" pensioner whose flat which is set to be demolished said he had been offered £22,000 - well below the £60,000 he believes it is worth.
Aberdeen City Council previously said the proposed compensation package for the voluntary acquisition of privately-owned properties was being negotiated on its behalf by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an independent organisation.
"The discussions to date regarding market value are only being conducted with those home-owners who have given their consent," a statement said. "Each claim is based on its own merit and will vary on individual circumstances.
"The council continues to hold meetings with key stakeholders and individuals and are in dialogue with representatives from both the UK and Scottish governments in regards to funding and fiscal flexibility."
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Raac stands for reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
It is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s.
Raac is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, is quicker to produce and easier to install.
But it is less durable and has a lifespan of about 30 years.
Its structural behaviour differs significantly from traditional reinforced concrete.
It is also susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture. The bubbles can allow water to enter the material.
Raac is often coated with another material, such as bitumen, on roofing panels. But this material can also degrade.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Raac is now beyond its lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice".
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