Green roof ‘stigma’ for council house tenants Row over choice of tile colour after recent repairs
GREEN roofs on council houses in a Sutton Coldfield street are ‘shaming’ tenants by making their properties stand out, it has been claimed.
Recent roof repairs on around a dozen rented properties in Dugdale Crescent raised eyebrows after Birmingham City Council fitted bright green tiles.
While some residents welcomed the improvements, there were claims the colour was ‘totally at odds’ with other properties.
The council has even been asked to explain its choice of tile colour in a Freedom of Information request.
“The green roofs instantly highlight each property as being council-owned,” resident Mark Buck wrote. “And, as a result, some residents have stated that the council is shaming its tenants by making their properties stand out amongst the majority of right-to-buy purchased homes.”
He added: “The colour is totally at odds and out of keeping with existing roof colours in the street and within the general locality. The majority of existing properties have red or slate coloured roofs.”
The works prompted a mixed response from residents.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The council said we were getting a new roof so I was over the moon.
“Then I came back home and it was just green. I was like ‘okay’.
“I just think they stand out a bit more, they don’t integrate with the rest of the road. They look a bit more weird.
“They do look very smart but you can tell which ones are the council houses in the road now. I don’t know if they are differen- tiating between the other houses on purpose.”
She added: “It is not so much a problem, but if you want to keep your business to yourself or if you want to buy your house for example, then I think it prob- ably is a problem. You get this sort of stigma. We should have had some sort of input because we are living in them at the end of the day.”
In response the council defended the works and stated they had not received any official complaints.
A spokeswoman said: “As of the time of enquiry, no resident has complained to any member of the project delivery team.
“Additionally, there are several different architectural styles represented in Dugdale Crescent with varied features and changes to properties that have been installed over time, by different owners.
“Both red and green tiles have previously been used on other roofs and it was based on these facts that a green tile was chosen.”
you can tell which ones are the council houses...You get this stigma Resident