Homeowners hit out at £50k repair bills
Council accused of blackmail over upgrading
Homeowners claim they’re being forced to cough up tens of thousands of pounds for repairs to their flats – or sell on to Paisley Housing Association.
Neil Howie, Dariush Miryani and Eric McDonald have all owned flats on Orchard Street, Paisley for several years.
Renfrewshire Council has designated the street as a Housing Renewal Area and come up with a plan to regenerate the street and upgrade the flats.
However, the three claim they’ve been told the cost could be anything from £50,000 to £100,000 per flat.
And if they can’t afford to pay, Renfrewshire Council said they could sell their flat for current market value to Paisley Housing Association.
Neil, whose flat is at 9 Orchard Street, says he feels they’re being blackmailed into selling their properties – which they don’t want to do.
He said: “It’s a poor area. People cannot afford those sums of money.
“It’s never been made clear what it’s going to cost. The council have not offered a payment plan.
“My tenant will have to leave their property while the work is ongoing so I’ll lose money there.
“Orchard Street is in bad condition, there’s no argument about that.
“But we want the council to make it affordable. Let us pay it up over a period of time.
“I’d love to participate in this. I’d love to get the buildings regenerated and sorted out but make it affordable.”
Dariush bought his flat at 3 Orchard Street four years ago and spent £8,000 upgrading it.
He said: “I’m nearly 60 and this was going to be an investment for me, a pension as I get older.
“I bought it at auction and it was in a bad way.
“It’s a lot of money they’re asking for. “When the work is finished, no one is going to buy it for the kind of money they’re asking us to spend on it.
“I’m annoyed about the council really pushing us to get the work done.
“The first letter was quite a nice one but then they’ve got more aggressive.
“They’re trying to buy our flats and give them to the housing association.
“There’s a real fear we might lose our properties.”
Eric, who bought his flat at 3 Orchard Street 10 years ago, said they feel stuck.
“I bought it for £25,000 and it’s got about £20,000 left on the mortgage.
“We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. They’re asking for us to contribute in the region of £65,000 to £100,000. My property would need to be valued to £120,000 for me to contribute towards it.
“The council said they’ll give us a 25 per cent discount but that still means I have to find £75,000.
“I don’t want to get rid of my property. “It’s a nest egg for me if I want to rent it out in the future. Now I feel it’s going to be taken off me.
“I do understand a lot of work needs to be done but the sum of money we’re being asked to contribute towards it is too much.
According to council plans, the work required on the street from blocks 3 to 9, and 33 Causeyside Street, include installing new electricity and gas supplies, treating timber decay, renewing back court areas and roof and structural repairs.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “The Orchard Street Housing Renewal Area was established in March 2017 following consultation with owners, who recognised the need for the council to take action to address the poor quality of housing at this location.
“Owners have the option of selling their property to Paisley Housing Association, who would carry out the improvement works, or retain ownership of their property and participate in the proposed comprehensive improvement scheme, with grant assistance available.
“Indicative costs associated with these major improvement works have been provided to owners based on the housing association’s experience of undertaking similar comprehensive tenement rehabilitation schemes. Owners have also been notified of the works required by law to bring the properties to a tolerable standard.
“We will continue to discuss all available options with owners at these properties as we progress the proposals.”