Torry RAAC homeowners refuse engagement with voluntary purchase scheme
Around 70 homeowners have agreed to stop engagement with the local authority's voluntary purchase scheme due to valuation conditions.
RAAC-affected homeowners in Torry have voted to stop engaging with Aberdeen City Council's voluntary acquisition process.
Earlier this year, the council announced plans to demolish more than 500 properties - including 138 which are privately owned - in the Balnagask area after surveys discovered they contained the dangerous concrete.
In order to demolish the properties, the local authority will have to purchase the privately owned homes through voluntary agreement.
Since then, private owners have been told their properties will be valued with the presence of RAAC included in the price tag.
Last week, AtkinsRealis - who have been appointed by the council to value people's homes - started to contact owners about beginning the process.
Around 70 private owners conducted a meeting within the local community which saw a "near unanimous" decision not to engage with the council's voluntary acquisition process until it agrees to value their homes without RAAC in them.
A post on Torry Community RAAC Campaign (TCRC) read: "We will not engage with the voluntary acquisition process until we receive written confirmation from Aberdeen City Council that the cost of making good the Raac panels will be disregarded in valuing our homes."
Residents said they hope it sends a "clear signal" to the local authority that they will only accept a valuation which reflects a 'pre-RAAC' price.
Lynn Winstanley, a member of TCRC and a private homeowner, shared fears that leaving people in negative equity could result in people becoming homeless.
She said: "It's not feasible. They need to leave people with dignity and the means and the availability to move on with their lives.
"They can't leave people in negative equity, they can't leave people with nowhere to live."
Lynn continued: "If they come and offer us what our houses are properly valued at with no RAAC being taken into consideration, they can have my keys tomorrow.
"But if they're not going to do that, they're not stealing my house from underneath my feet."
Aberdeen City Council said the valuation should reflect the current condition of the property, including the fact the roof is constructed with RAAC panels.
It also said owners will be offered "reasonable legal costs, and home loss and disturbance payments".
A spokesperson said: "The decision to demolish RAAC-affected council homes was taken on safety grounds and followed independent survey work, a detailed options appraisal, and extensive community engagement.
“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 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.
"At this initial stage, a general form of correspondence has been adopted. The Council continues to liaise closely with both council and private residents about all matters relating to RAAC.”
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