An Aberdeen man claims he has been fighting the council for a decade to get essential upgrades made to his home.
Robert Knowles moved into the Sheddocksley property in 1991 and says no maintenance has been offered by the council in the 32 years since.
He is currently dealing with rising damp and broken windows which are causing significant damage to the property.
But Aberdeen City Council has told him they have on record that certain jobs have already been completed.
The house was previously privately owned, with front and back extensions, a room in the loft, a garage and concrete shed added during this time.
“When we got offered the property, we were over the moon,” Mr Knowles said. “We moved in in 1991 and the issues started in 1993.
“The damp is getting worse – part of the top hallway wall has been taken off and the bathroom is soaking.
“We always get bypassed for upgrades, I think because it looks like a private property. This has been ongoing for years.
“We’ve looked after it and done the best we can inside but it’s falling apart outside. It’s just ridiculous, the council is not interested.”
Wrong information on file
The 55-year-old, who lives at the property with his wife, reached out to his local councillors for help a few years ago.
This led to the discovery that the local authority had details on file which he says are inaccurate.
A letter from Aberdeen City Council stated the property had received wall cavity insulation in 2007 and new windows in 2011.
However, Mr Knowles claims this work was never done.
“The wooden windows have been there since 1983,” he added. “The only window replaced was the porch window in January 2022 and there were faults straight away.
“We cannot see through it because of the condensation.”
He has been told that based on photos from surveyors, the windows will be due to be replaced in 2042.
The council also had on record that the front and back doors of the property were replaced in 2017, but the resident adds they fail to mention it took five years for the upgrades to be made.
“Work was getting done to other houses on the street but we weren’t being offered,” he said.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said teams are “dealing directly” with the tenant on the issues.
Damage caused by damp
Although some improvements have been made over the years, Mr Knowles said each time he has had to fight with the council to make it happen.
The heating system was replaced in March, but prior to this temperatures dropped to below 5C in the house.
“It was absolutely freezing,” he said.
A borescope test on the insulation was also carried out about nine months ago but they have never been sent any results.
Just six weeks ago, they found out that it is a rising damp issue they are dealing with in the home.
Due to this, the residents have been told that the lintels, pointings and gutters will need replaced.
“Someone will come in and sort out a bit of damp above the window, try to cover it up with a bit of paint or aqua panels, but it keep spreading and is getting worse,” he added.
“Part of the top hallway wall has come off and the bathroom is soaking. We keep getting passed about but nothing happens, absolutely nothing.
“It feels like we are being punished.”
Conversation