Edinburgh Council are selling a three-bedroom property with adaptions for those with mobility issues because "it's difficult" to carry out repairs if they only own one flat in the block. The property is a three-bedroomed ground floor council flat in Pilton and is being sold for offers over £130,000.
The bathroom and kitchen are designed to be accessible for wheelchair users and there is already a ramp installed in the garden leading into the property which has on street parking. Although inside it needs to be decorated, a neighbour claimed there were no major repairs or damages that would make it unfeasible to fix up.
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Last year we reported that more than 800 Edinburgh Council homes were lying empty as families endured an 18-month wait, with the highest number of empty properties located in the North East of the city. A source contacted Edinburgh Live to say the empty three-bedroom ground floor flat was being sold off by the council.
Council officers confirmed the flat is being flogged off because it is the only property they own in the stairwell, making common repairs difficult. They say it is easier for them to sell it off and put the money back into buying new property in a building where they already own the majority of flats.
A neighbour who lives near the flat told Edinburgh Live: "As you can see from pictures this isn't a flat in disrepair or fire damaged. I was previously in the community council so know there are families in the area with members of their household who are disabled and this house has been fully adapted with a large garden. It even has a ramp outside the front stair door.
"I asked the agent that was arranging viewings, as she was outside the tenancy, and she confirmed it was being sold by the council. "It's been empty for approx two years now. Edinburgh is a very rich city. So much money is created here yet it hardly ever trickles down to the people who need it.
"I'm just sick of the council and their hypocrisy. On one hand they're saying they've no accommodation for people and on the sly they're selling off the type of tenancies that are sought after. All these mid market flats/houses being built that you have to be earning a certain amount to afford or flats being rented at an extortionate rate.
"The only other option is a council tenancy yet the council are selling perfectly good properties and telling everyone their tenancies are fire damaged or in a state of disrepair. Where else are they putting tenancies up for sale without anyone knowing about it?"
The advert for the three-bedroom flat reads: "Providing well-proportioned accommodation is this ground floor flat located within the West Pilton area of Edinburgh.
"The property benefits from gas central heating and full double glazing and a private area of garden plus a communal drying area . The accommodation comprises; entrance hallway will storage cupboard, well-proportioned living room with kitchen with storage cupboard off.
"There are three double bedrooms, two with fitted wardrobes and the wet room completes the accommodation. West Pilton is a popular area to the north of the city and is within excellent reach of the cities many amenities.
"Locally there is a good range of shops, eateries and schooling. Excellent public transport links are readily available."
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When we contacted the City of Edinburgh Council to ask why the property was up for sale, a spokesman said: "This property is being sold as it is the only house that the council owns in the block making it difficult to take forward common repairs.
"The proceeds from the sale of the home will be used to purchase one or more homes in a block where we will have majority ownership.
"This policy is supporting the council to increase the supply of council homes in the city and take forward common repairs."
Regarding why it has been empty for two years they added: "Concerning this particular property it has taken longer to get this advertised than we would have liked.
"However, the policy is helping us to meet our objective to acquire more Council homes and take forward common repairs in blocks where we own the majority of the homes."
If you have been affected by the housing crisis in the capital and would like to share please get in touch on iona.young@reachplc.com
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