UK: Aberdeen City Council confirmed legal fees and RICS-qualified surveyor costs for homeowners will be covered and paid directly during the acquisition process - no paymnet burden on homeowners.

Officials acknowledged concerns over relocation funding and need for early release of acquisition funds, and are open to reviewing proposals if residents formally raise them with the distrct valuer.

The Council confirmed RAAC homeowners will receive priority within housing allocations, though no fixed timeline can yet be guaranteed.

Concerns about tax implications, accessibility needs, and financial pressures on families were formally raised and acknowledged by council leadership.

On 5th March 2026, the UK RAAC Campaign Group held a critical meeting with senior officials from Aberdeen City Council to discuss urgent issues affecting families living in homes impacted by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

The meeting brought together:

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group

Hannah Chowdhry, Co-Deputy Chair – UK RAAC Campaign Group

Stephan Booth, Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord, Aberdeen City Council

Gail Beattie, Executive Director, Aberdeen City Council

The discussion focused on financial support, relocation challenges, housing access, and legal protections for families forced from their homes due to RAAC structural risks.

Home Loss and Relocation Grants

Mr Chowdhry opened the meeting by raising concerns over the removal of Home Loss and Relocation Grants for homeowners who pursue voluntary acquisition rather than Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO).

He emphasised that homeowners had not chosen to sell their homes, but were effectively being forced to do so due to structural safety risks beyond their control.

Mr Chowdhry stressed the severe financial pressure this creates for many families:

“These homeowners did not choose to sell their homes. They are being forced out by a structural crisis they neither created nor could have prevented. Removing relocation and home-loss support places an unfair financial burden on some of the most economically vulnerable residents in Aberdeen.”

He noted that many affected residents live in Torry, one of the most deprived communities in the UK according to national indices of deprivation.

Mr Chowdhry asked whether the decision had been made by council officers or elected councillors and whether the policy could be reconsidered.

Mr Booth explained that council officers had originally intended to mimic the Compulsory Purchase Order process, which would have included home loss and relocation payments alongside market value. However, councillors ultimately voted to introduce a fixed acquisition payment without those additional grants.

Mr Booth agreed to provide a hyperlink to the council’s decision-making record.

Mr Chowdhry confirmed that the UK RAAC Campaign Group will seek to raise the issue again at future council meetings, including the Community Housing and Public Protection Committee or a Full Council session.

Timing of Acquisitions and Early Release of Funds

Another major concern raised during the meeting was the practical challenge families face when trying to relocate before receiving acquisition funds.

Mr Chowdhry warned that many families may delay accepting voluntary acquisition offers simply because they cannot afford to move without upfront funds.

He therefore asked whether:

A portion of acquisition funds could be released early to support relocation costs, or

Vacant possession deadlines could be extended (for example by one month) to allow safer and financially manageable moves.

Mr Booth said this concern had not previously been raised directly with him, but acknowledged the issue and stated he was not unsympathetic.

He suggested that affected residents raise the issue formally with the District Valuer. If multiple homeowners request such support, Mr Booth said he would explore possible solutions and present proposals to the council.

Mr Chowdhry agreed to inform local residents and encourage them to raise these concerns formally.

Tax Risks for Landlords and Homeowners

Mr Chowdhry also highlighted potential unexpected tax consequences for affected homeowners and landlords.

He warned that the fixed acquisition payment could be treated purely as property sale proceeds, potentially triggering:

Capital Gains Tax liabilities for landlords, and conversely

Income tax liabilities for homeowners who sold their properties before the fixed payment scheme was agreed.

Mr Booth acknowledged that this could occur and confirmed that homeowners who had already sold their properties might indeed face income tax on the fixed payment, as the payment could no longer be treated as compensation for the property itself.

However, he clarified that tax matters fall under the authority of HM Revenue & Customs, rather than the council.

Mr Booth advised homeowners to seek professional tax advice and stated that the council would assist wherever legally possible, including providing documentation or clarification requested by tax advisers.

Legal and Valuation Support for Homeowners

One of the most positive outcomes of the meeting came in relation to legal and valuation support.

Many homeowners had expressed concern about the cost of hiring solicitors or independent surveyors to negotiate with the District Valuer during the acquisition process.

Mr Booth confirmed that Aberdeen City Council will cover these costs directly.

This includes:

Legal representation fees

Independent valuations from RICS-qualified surveyors

The council will contract directly with homeowners’ chosen representatives, and all invoices will be sent directly to the council, ensuring homeowners are not required to pay upfront.

 

Mr Booth reiterated that the council will fund “all reasonable costs.”

Mr Chowdhry welcomed this clarification, noting that it would provide significant reassurance to residents.

Access to Council Housing

Mr Chowdhry also raised concerns about delays in identifying suitable council housing for displaced families.

Some residents remain in unsafe properties while waiting for rehousing options, which in turn slows down the voluntary acquisition process.

Mr Booth explained that only a small number of RAAC homeowners are currently seeking council housing.

He outlined the wider housing pressures facing the city, noting that approximately 4,000 people are currently on Aberdeen’s housing waiting list, while the council typically allocates around 300 new tenancies each year.

However, he confirmed that the emergency nature of the RAAC crisis means affected homeowners will receive priority consideration.

The council will work with each homeowner individually to identify suitable housing options and make multiple offers where possible, although Mr Booth could not provide a definitive timeline for rehousing.

Accessibility of Replacement Housing

Finally, Mr Chowdhry sought clarification regarding the accessibility of replacement homes for residents with additional needs.

This includes individuals who require:

Adapted housing

Disability access

Age-related accessibility features

Mr Booth confirmed that each situation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and that special adaptations will be considered where necessary.

Wilson Chowdhry’s Reflections After the Meeting

Following the meeting, Wilson Chowdhry welcomed the constructive tone of discussions with Aberdeen City Council, noting that while challenges remain for displaced families, meaningful progress has been made in Aberdeen compared with many other RAAC-affected areas.

Mr Chowdhry praised the council for taking a more supportive approach in recent months and acknowledged that the acquisition framework now being offered to homeowners is among the strongest responses seen across the UK.

“While no solution can fully compensate families who have been forced from their homes, the package now being developed in Aberdeen is one of the more progressive responses we have seen from any local authority affected by RAAC. In fact, only Basildon Borough Council in England has offered a better level of support.”

He said that the meeting highlighted a noticeable shift in the approach taken by council officers, who are now working more collaboratively with residents and campaigners.

Mr Chowdhry believes this improvement has been partly enabled by the council securing additional funding support through the Scottish Government under the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, a funding route he first suggested to Aberdeen City Council during discussions in January 2024.

“The tone from council officers has become far more constructive since additional funding was secured through the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme. That funding has clearly created greater flexibility for the council to support affected residents, and it is encouraging to see officers now actively exploring solutions.”

He added that while campaigners will continue to raise outstanding concerns — particularly around relocation costs and financial protections for families — the willingness shown by council officials to listen and adapt policies is a positive sign.

“There is still work to do, particularly to ensure families are not left out of pocket when relocating, but the engagement we are now seeing from Aberdeen City Council is a step in the right direction.”

Mr Chowdhry expressed hope that the progress made in Aberdeen could provide a model for other councils facing similar RAAC crises.

“Aberdeen is showing that workable solutions can be found when councils, residents and campaigners engage constructively. My hope now is that the Scottish Government and other local authorities across Scotland will study what is being achieved here and develop similarly practical solutions for their own RAAC-affected communities.”

He concluded by reiterating the commitment of the UK RAAC Campaign Group to continue working collaboratively with councils while advocating for residents.

“Our goal has always been simple — to ensure families forced from unsafe homes are treated fairly and supported properly. In Aberdeen we are beginning to see real progress, and we will continue working with the council to build on that momentum.”