Aberdeen City Council tenants 'left in the cold' as energy bills soar

Tenants at an Aberdeen City Council housing development say they are being forced to choose between heating their homes and keeping their energy bills affordable.

Residents at the Cloverhill development in Bridge of Don claim the heating system in their properties is “inadequate” and has left some relying on alternative heaters, while others say they have lost confidence in the council to support them.

One tenant, Patrick Malone, who has lived in the development for two years, says he has been forced to stop using the main heating system altogether.

He told STV News: “It’s gotten that bad that I’ve turned off the heating. I’ve only left on the hot water, and I’m using an oil-filled radiator to heat my home.”

Mr Malone, who says he suffers from multiple health conditions, believes the system is “not fit for purpose” and says the cold has worsened his symptoms.

“I’m disabled and I’ve got neuropathy – my feet and hands are always cold,” he said. “It gets a lot worse because the house is colder. My bill was £200-250 a month with running the system.

“But with running the oil-filled radiator, I’m £50-70 a month – now that’s a big difference.

“No-one in the council is listening, they think we are stupid and they we can’t run the system because we don’t know how it works.

“Well, I know how it works, it’s been here for two years.”

“My hands are cold all the time, it’s just not comfortable to live in…it’s not homely.”

Gillian Baron, who was among the first tenants to move into the scheme in 2023, said she now avoids turning on the heating after receiving a bill of £800.

She told STV News she has had to rely on other ways to stay warm and is now considering leaving the development, which houses more than 500 residents.

“I use a heatpad on my back. I’ve also got a blow heater and oil-filled radiators,” she said. “They need to do something with the heating, even giving us extra radiators, they need to try and help us. It’s causing damp and everything, and if they’re not going to help us, then I’m jumping ship.”

Aberdeen City Council say support is available for residents.

A spokesperson said: “The new build project at Cloverhill has been developed with air source heat pumps that have been designed and installed to provide residents with heating and hot water across all properties.

“We are aware that some tenants have had issues with the heat pump system. Sessions have been set up with tenants to help them better understand the new system.

“Tenants who are concerned about paying high costs for electricity are encouraged to speak to SCARF, who offer local, free support and advise on energy efficiency.”