Homeowners in Aberdeen still residing in properties containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) are urging the local authority for an extension to the impending deadline for confirming their building plans. The plea comes as Aberdeen City Council escalates its efforts to address the widespread issue of the compromised material across the city.
On July 21, 2026, twelve households received an email from Aberdeen City Council, instructing them to outline their intended actions regarding their properties within 14 days. These required actions included commissioning an engineer to inspect their roof, confirming if an inspection had already taken place, or declaring their intention to vacate the premises. The council cautioned that a failure to respond could lead to “formal enforcement action.”
RAAC, a lightweight, “bubbly” form of concrete, was widely used in construction across the UK from the 1950s to the mid-1990s as a cheaper and lighter alternative to traditional concrete. However, it possesses an estimated lifespan of only around 30 years and is notably less durable than conventional concrete, making it susceptible to structural failure, particularly when exposed to moisture. Its porous composition can also obscure internal corrosion of the steel reinforcement, hindering early detection of structural issues and increasing the risk of sudden collapse.
The situation in Aberdeen’s Torry area is particularly acute, where hundreds of properties have been identified with RAAC in their roofs, leading to plans for demolition. In August 2024, Aberdeen City Council approved the demolition and rebuilding of 504 homes (366 council-owned and 138 privately owned) in the Balnagask area of Torry, citing “high risk factors” discovered through structural surveys, including cracks, sagging, bending, and holes in ceiling slabs. The council has pursued a policy of voluntary acquisition for privately owned RAAC-affected houses.
At an emergency meeting held by the Torry Community Council on Wednesday, residents voiced their ongoing difficulties. Some homeowners are still in negotiations with the council over the sale of their properties, while others are grappling with the complexities of purchasing new homes.
Jumoke Adebajo, who owns a three-bedroom house in Torry, expressed her distress over the situation. She stated: “It’s not fair the way we are being treated. I am hoping they are able to at least see us as human. We were hoping we would stay in our properties for the rest of our lives, and that’s not the case. It’s a huge, huge change for us, and it’s causing so much trouble and anxiety.”
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Campaigner John Meiklejohn criticised the council’s communication approach, particularly the use of email for such a sensitive matter. He remarked: “It was issued by email and that is utterly reprehensible. Do they not think it is time to actually take the approach they said they would, which was to show more empathy and work with homeowners to come to an agreed conclusion? They have not done that.”
Previously, Aberdeen City Council had indicated its willingness to collaborate with private owners to find solutions. A council spokesperson stated earlier: “ACC remains willing to work with private owners in relation to Raac roofs and will consider any reasonable proposals that may assist in progressing a solution.”
However, the council also noted: “to date, the council has not received any proposals or formal contact from owners on roof replacement as an alternative approach. We would encourage anyone considering the roof replacement option to contact the council’s building standards team for advice on the statutory requirements.”
