Residents whose homes are set to be demolished due to the presence of faulty RAAC concrete say the lack of clarity over compensation is causing “unbearable” stress. A group of 138 home owners in Torry, Aberdeen , say they have been told they could receive “home loss payments” of up to £15,000 if the council’s plan to bulldoze their properties goes ahead. Other properties, in the Balnagask area of Aberdeen, are also affected.
The council is due to also pay them the market value of their homes, however that is minus the cost of the RAAC roof panels, which could run to tens of thousands of pounds. A further payment for “disturbance” has not been confirmed. Torry resident John Meiklejohn told the BBC he believes he could have a “huge shortfall” on equity and could lose more than £70,000 on his property.
"The stress that this is putting myself and the other householders under is unbearable,” he said. "We go from flitting between anger and just complete depression. It’s very difficult because there’s too many unknowns.
"This has now been going on for a year, not knowing what’s going to be happening. Concerns about RAAC emerged last year, prompting governments and councils around the UK to assess buildings for its presence. Mr Meiklejohn said residents plan to fight the proposals until they are happy with the level of compensation.
“I think I’ve got no choice but to refuse it and keep fighting - one way or another - until we are compensated fully," he.