'Living hell' retrofit leaves Edinburgh homeowners with leaks and £20,000 bills

Homeowners say they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a council-backed housing upgrade scheme allegedly turned into a “living hell”.

Residents in Edinburgh claim retrofit works designed to modernise ageing tenements left some properties leaking, damaged and shrouded in scaffolding for months, while private owners were still handed bills of more than £20,000.

The project in Lochend forms part of wider efforts to upgrade older housing stock, improve energy efficiency and bring ageing buildings up to modern standards.

However, carrying out major works on mixed-tenure blocks, where council tenants live alongside private owners, can often create friction over costs and disruption.

Among those affected is homeowner Aga Barys, who says she had to hire builders to repair damage caused during the works, including leaks from the roof.

“The cost after fixing everything was over £7,000,” she said.

“It was horrific. It was like walking through hell. There are three properties on my floor and each of them had a leak.

“There is something systematically wrong with how they are doing the retrofits. We support this work and were really glad this kind of project was rolling out after so many years of neglect.”

Because she owns her property, Ms Barys is also liable for a share of the retrofit costs, which she says amount to more than £20,000, including a management fee charged by the council.

Another owner, Rita Cicellini, believes work to her home remains unfinished.

She said: “What they needed to do the roof, they basically exposed it.

“One night it was raining very heavily and I started to see these (damp) spots being created. It doesn’t feel like the work is finished. It looks like they came with a chainsaw.”

Residents, backed by tenants’ union Living Rent, are now calling for lessons to be learned before similar projects are rolled out elsewhere.

“We don’t ask for a free service,” said Ms Barys. “We want to pay our fair share, not live in the conditions that we have been suffering in for over a year.”

Contractors have paid for repairs to Ms Barys’ property and are expected to return to carry out remedial work at Ms Cicellini’s home.

A spokesperson for City of Edinburgh Council said the tenement blocks date back to the 1920s and require essential repairs and upgrades.

Councillor Tim Pogson, housing, homelessness and fair work convener, said: “While private owners are responsible for paying for their share of repairs, I appreciate how challenging this is and we have a team of dedicated case officers available to support and answer questions from owners.

“Costs can be paid in instalments over a 15-year period and owners may also be eligible for Scottish Government grant funding towards the cost of some of the work, depending on their personal circumstance

“We continue to be committed to providing safe, warm, and well-maintained homes as part of our city-wide housing improvement programme.”