The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Student, 19, says study move has become a nightmare over Raac
An Aberdeen student says it’s a “lose-lose situation” after she bought a house in Torry only to be told by the council that the roof could collapse due to faulty concrete.
Hannah Chowdhry, 19, moved from London last year to study law at Aberdeen University and used all her savings for the deposit on a fourbedroom house in Torry.
Excited to start a new adventure in the Granite City, she wanted a more permanent home as she will likely be here for several years as she pursues her dream of being a lawyer.
In June this year, she took the plunge and put down the deposit on a house, previously owned by Aberdeen City Council, on Farquhar Road. To her, it was her dream house.
But her dream has turned into a nightmare as news began surfacing of issues related to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Raac).
The lightweight concrete had been exposed as a substandard building material, leaving thousands of buildings at risk of potential collapse.
Ms Chowdhry was left “scared and worried” after receiving a letter which said her home may contain Raac and she should have an inspection done to find out.
A second letter in November confirmed the findings, but the council clearly stated private landlords would be responsible for funding their own repairs and inspections.
As a student and a part-time worker, Ms Chowdhry says she doesn’t have the money.
“When I read that letter, I felt upset and disappointed,” she said. “I can’t afford to pay for an inspection or repairs myself. I don’t have that kind of money. I have had to ask my dad for help.”
Ms Chowdhry says she believes it is the “council’s fault” as the local authority owned the properties before they were sold.
She said the council “opted to go with Raac” as a building material at the time and should bear responsibility for its “mistake”.
The search to find a suitable surveyor to confirm the presence of Raac has been very difficult, according to Ms Chowdhry, who has already spoken to 50 firms who couldn’t help her.
She says residents are struggling to find a solution to their Raac problem as there has been no guidance on where to seek help.
The letter also states that some residents may need to be evacuated.
She says the situation has ruined any prospects of financial stability and will definitely impact housing prices in Torry, on top of the cost of repairs.
Ms Chowdhry wants the council to potentially front the costs of getting the house surveyed for the Raac so that homeowners are not burdened with survey costs.
She has since written to the council’s housing department to seek advice and clarification.
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “The council will continue to do all we can to provide advice, and we will continue to be guided by advice as matters progress.”