UK: After two years of tireless campaigning by the UK RAAC Campaign Group, there is finally cause for celebration for homeowners affected by RAAC in Balnagask. Hannah Chowdhry, Co-Vice Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, has been at the forefront of this struggle, following her earlier role as Chair of the Torry Community RAAC Campaign Group—a local initiative conceptualised by her father, Wilson Chowdhry. 

Hannah has shared the exciting news that the Council, as of 28th October 2025, has made an in-principle commitment to provide additional payments to homeowners impacted by RAAC as part of the voluntary acquisition of their homes. These payments are designed to reflect the significant impact RAAC has had on the market value of properties, and they will also apply to those who have already agreed to sell their homes. 

In an official communication from the Council’s dedicated RAAC team, it was explained that officers are now preparing a report to ensure that these enhanced offers comply with financial rules and regulations, with a decision expected in November. 

For Hannah, this announcement represents a major victory after years of advocacy, but she is keen to emphasize that homeowners need to take proactive steps to secure their rights. Those who have been waiting for the outcome of a public inquiry linked to the uncertain lottery of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) are encouraged to begin the Voluntary Acquisition process now. Homeowners can initiate the process by sending a request to: RAAC@aberdeencity.gov.uk. 

Hannah said: 

"For too long, RAAC-affected Torry homeowners have faced an impossible journey toward homelessness and financial ruin. We stood resolute, refusing to surrender our properties to an SNP council whose approach failed to secure a fair deal. It was the stalemate we created—where the Council could not proceed with demolition without risking a costly and uncertain Compulsory Purchase Order—that ultimately led to the fairer deal we see today. By beginning the voluntary acquisition process, homeowners now have a real chance at a fairer outcome, rather than leaving their futures to chance. I hope this approach can serve as a model across Scotland, eventually supported by a national fund to protect families from this crisis." 

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, and Fiona Crichton, Secretary of the UKRCG, meeting with senior Scottish Government officials on 14th January 2025 (click here). This marked the first substantial engagement with the officials who influence and shape government policy. During the meeting, they submitted evidence of corruption, malpractice, concerns about latent defects, duty of care, and Right-to-Buy, and other critical issues. 

Her father, Wilson Chowdhry, added: 

"The success in Balnagask demonstrates that determined, organised community advocacy can achieve real, tangible results. We urge all affected homeowners to take action now to safeguard their homes and futures. To clarify, the new payment will also apply to those who have already reached an agreement with the Council, ensuring that no one is left behind—a point we wanted to emphasise after receiving several inquiries." 

Mr Chowdhry was the first person in the UK—not the Housing Minister or MSP Liam Kerr—to propose redirecting funds from the Affordable Homes Project as a potential solution to the RAAC crisis. He outlined this in letters to both Housing Ministers and Aberdeen City Council, and even referenced it during one of his early deputations to Aberdeen Council when asked what funding could be used to address the crisis. His proposals were largely ignored at the time, as the Government and local Councils showed little appetite to fund a solution—but now, this early advocacy has finally contributed to a tangible result. Early references to his appeals for a review of this funding mechanism can be read [here]. 

To illustrate this lack of appetite for a fair solution, consider the motion put forward by Councillor Miranda Radley to Aberdeen City Council on 21st October 2025, following her letter to the Housing Minister seeking funds to pay homeowners a fair pre-RAAC value. The motion was deeply disappointing, highlighting the resistance of many SNP councillors to the fairer outcome we have now achieved. Radley moved the amendment, seconded by Councillor Greig, which offered modest measures such as covering professional and legal fees, home loss payments of 10% of current market value, and other reasonable costs, while continuing plans to demolish Council-owned blocks. The amendment passed narrowly, 22 to 21. Those who supported it were: Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Hazel Cameron, Clark, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Davidson, Fairfull, Greig, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Radley, van Sweeden, and Yuill. Those voting for the original motion that allowed for a pre-RAAC valuation were: Ali, Blake, Bonsell, Boulton, Brooks, Crockett, Cross, Farquhar, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Kusznir, Lawrence, Macdonald, McLeod, Malik, Massey, Nicoll, Thomson, Tissera, and Watson. 

Mr Chowdhry believes that council officers were likely prompted to intervene due to a caveat placed by the Housing Minister—caveats that he himself had requested be included in letters that have since been made publicly available (click here) and (here). 

The vote starkly demonstrated the unwillingness of some council members to embrace a genuinely fair solution for homeowners, reinforcing why the stalemate—and our persistent campaigning—was necessary to secure the outcome achieved today. 

This announcement is more than just financial relief—it is a beacon of hope for beleaguered homeowners across Scotland, offering a tangible path out of a trajectory that could have led to homelessness or bankruptcy. The UK RAAC Campaign Group continues to urge authorities to expand support nationally, but in the meantime, the Voluntary Acquisition process provides an immediate and practical route for families in Aberdeen to reclaim control over their lives.