Residents at a block of flats in Edinburgh are demanding answers after what they say is years of serious neglect by the council, leaving them living with sewage leaks, falling masonry and increased fire risks.
People living in Westfield Court in Gorgie where the City of Edinburgh Council acts as property factor say they have raised repeated concerns but feel nothing has been done.
The council insists it has been “proactively engaging” with owners and tenants over the condition of the building for the past 18 months and says the issues are complex because it is not the majority owner.
But residents say they feel “trapped” in a block that’s steadily deteriorating around them.
‘I could end up homeless’
STV NewsIn the five years Dimitrios Kampouris has lived in Westfield Court he’s had to call out firefighters six times, as frequent leaks onto the electrics in his flat puts him at risk.
“I encountered leakages from the very first month I moved in. I thought the lack of response from the council was due to Covid, but the council responds the same way whether there’s a crisis or not – no replies despite numerous calls.”
Dimitrios and his neighbours say they now face falling masonry, sewage leaks and flooding from worn-out pipes. Many homeowners say they are unable to sell their properties, leaving them “locked in” homes they fear are unsafe and falling in value.
“People have invested all their savings in their property – what am I supposed to do now? I could end up homeless due to someone else’s actions.
“Plenty of people cannot even survive on their salaries and they have to pay.
“The only time the council acts in a democratic way is when you have to contribute to the bill – then we are equals.
“We have to ask ourselves, how safe is it here? How would you feel if you were risking your life? If a panel fell off the top floor onto your head or your kids’?
“The council has to take responsibility for their actions. The council has to act in a fair way – we can’t tolerate it anymore.”
A council commissioned report found serious issues at this building five years ago, including fire risks, but according to residents no action was taken.
The council said the 2020 document formed part of a wider assessment of high-rise blocks and was “incomplete” at the time.
Officials say concerns raised then – including fire safety issues – were communicated to owners, who voted to proceed with repair work. However, contractors later withdrew due to asbestos and other complications.
A more detailed condition survey was commissioned in 2025 to address those failings and map out the full cost of repairs. The council says it has acted on all urgent issues.
‘They need to step up and do what’s right’
The tenants’ union say residents are being let down and accuse the council of neglect.
Living Rent organiser Barry Will says residents have been left to cope with a deteriorating building while the council, as factor, “has failed at every count of their legal obligations”.
“You can see decay, concrete falling off the façade,” he said. “Residents reported issues for years, but the council didn’t move. Now they’re expecting the residents to pay the cost.
“Pensioners who’ve lived here for decades don’t have £300,000. The council needs to step up and do what is right.”
‘They’ve left us in limbo’
STV NewsAround two thirds of the block is privately owned. The rest is made up of council-owned temporary accommodation.
Former schoolteacher Marion Potter has lived in Westfield Court for more than 70 years. She says residents have been denied access to communal areas such as the roof and risers – spaces they are told they are responsible for maintaining.
“The council has neglected the building over years,” she said. “They’ve only done patchwork repairs. Now they say they can’t do patchwork anymore.
“Where am I supposed to go? They’ve left us in limbo.”
Some residents in temporary accommodation have been told they may have to move at short notice. One man said his housing officer phoned to make sure his belongings were packed.
The council says it is working with temporary accommodation tenants and will “provide full support” for anyone required to relocate. It also says not all moves are linked to issues within the building.
What the council says
A spokesperson stressed that, as property factor, the council manages the common parts of the building – including the roof, structure and shared services – but cannot order major repairs unless the majority of owners agree and contribute to the cost.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Tim Pogson said: “It is of course alarming to hear that owners and residents have concerns relating to their homes in Westfield Court. It is important to stress that over the last 18 months the Council has been proactively engaging with owners and residents over the condition of this building.
“This is ongoing and specialist officers continue to be onsite to provide support and advice. There is no easy fix, given the structure of ownership, but I am committed to making sure residents are supported as much as possible.”
Council officers will bring a further report to committee in December.
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