‘I’m at my wits’ end’Tenant slams council over collapsing balcony
A West Lothian grandmother has told of her safety fears over a ‘hazardous balcony’ at the back of her home. Sharon Blain, 52, who lives with her partner John Millar, 48, and son Kai Blaine, 21, is dreading a devastating collapse.
The Armadale family are in a council home with two properties either side that are owned. They share a communal balcony that leads down to three private gardens. But around four years ago issues with the structure of the balcony were raised.
Sharon claims a contractor working on behalf of the council visited the site around two and a half years ago and stated the structure was unsafe. She alleges the balcony has since been condemned however no significant work has been undertaken to repair it.
The local authority are understood to have issued a £51,000 bill for the repair work to be carried out to both of Sharon’s neighbours but no agreement has been reached. This means the work is not able to proceed.
A spokesperson for the council has since told Edinburgh Live the authority has “limited legislative powers at its disposal” and has attempted to communicate with neighbours regarding the potential repair, however they were unwilling to contribute.
Sharon, who has lived in the home for 14 years, shared videos of her West Main Street balcony which shows the structure visibly wobbling if touched. Wooden beams and other metal supports are also visible in the footage holding the balcony in place from below.
Part of the wooden supports holding up the flimsy balcony.
She said she is now unable to use her garden and has demanded the council fix the problem before someone becomes ‘seriously injured’.
She added: “Around two and a half years ago, a lot of contractors came out but the council couldn’t get one to take on the job. When one guy came out he said it needed to be condemned, he was worried about walking away and leaving the wall as he said it was so dangerous.
“Building standards then came out and our neighbours were quoted £51,000 each to have the repairs carried out. One of my neighbours I know was offered a payment plan but when she asked for more details she was brushed aside.
The brick wall is visibly crumbling away.
“I think it was only a year and a half ago that the balcony was actually condemned. My two neighbours can still access their back gardens at the side of their homes but I can’t get into mine unless I get permission to go through theirs.
“The structure is about to collapse. I’ve had to remove bricks myself so they do not fall on people.
“There is a real fear that the whole structure could come down at any minute. When you go below the balcony, the structure looks like it is being held up by flimsy supports. The whole wall wobbles when you touch it.”
Two wooden posts have been fitted to stop the wobbly wall from going over.
Sharon claimed she was given a timeline of around three months for the issue to be fixed – this was over two years ago. But she alleges the council have now approached her to say they are unable to resolve the issue unless the two neighbouring homeowners stump up £102,000 between them for the repairs.
She said: “They are now telling me they cannot fix it because the council are a minority on the row. They said if they were just to fix my element then it could destabilise the homes.
“It is just a waiting game for it to collapse. They offered to close up my back door and put a window in but I asked how is that a solution?
“I would have no access to my garden and it would remove a fire exit for us. I’m at my wits’ end.
“It’s really difficult, I have fibromyalgia, anxiety and osteoarthritis, using my garden is so important for my health. We have spent money on a summerhouse and laying new turf only to be cut off from it. My grandson cannot use it when he visits. The council does not care at all.
“Is it going to take for the balcony to collapse and hurt someone or take a part of the house with it for them to do anything? They have treated us like we are nothing.
Sharon worries the wall is about to collapse.
“I’m like some fly who is pestering them, they just want to swat me away. But see if I stopped paying my rent or council tax, I bet they would be quick to act.”
West Lothian SNP MSP, Fiona Hyslop, who has since retired ahead of the election. She has raised the issue of the balcony on behalf of Sharon’s family.
In a statement, her office said: “Prior to her retirement, Ms Hyslop supported Ms Blain and raised her concerns with West Lothian Council on her behalf. This is a serious matter which requires action by West Lothian Council.
“Ms Hyslop also recommended that Ms Blain seek a fire safety inspection from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, given the nature of the concerns involved.”
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “ The council is aware of this case and has been in dialogue with the tenant for some time. The council is the minority owner in a block of three flatted properties with the council property being the middle of the three.
“Unfortunately, the council is restricted in what it can do in this scenario with limited legislative powers at its disposal. We can confirm that officers attempted to obtain a voluntary agreement from the other owners through the Tenement Management Scheme under the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004. However, as the council is not in the majority and the private owners remained formally unwilling to contribute or agree to the long-term repairs, the council could not continue via this route.
“We understand their concerns and can confirm the tenant has been through the council’s complaint process however the council is satisfied it has acted accordingly within the powers at its disposal. The Scottish Public Service Ombudsman has also reviewed the case and supported the council’s actions in this regard.
“The Housing Service remains available to support the tenant and discuss potential alternative housing arrangements.”
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