The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) told a recent meeting of the RAAC in Housing Leadership Group, which includes representatives from Scottish Government, councils, Registered Social Landlords and other stakeholders, that remediation involving installation of a new roof structure directly below the existing one is the preferred solution.

Mark Flynn, leader of Dundee City Council, said: “All of our online resources and direct communications with those affected are being updated to reflect the updated IStructE position which regards our approach as the preferred way of dealing with it.

“By doing this any RAAC will be fully supported and therefore it is at no future structural risk.

“Pilot works in five empty properties of different types across the city were approved almost a year ago and a report will be brought back to the council in late spring to lay out a detailed appraisal of the works and consider next steps.

“Meantime, it is important that people who are affected know that the council continues to carry out regular detailed inspections to monitor the condition of properties where RAAC was found in line with the IStructE guidance.”

Where these properties are privately owned responsibility for maintenance lies with owners who have been recommended to seek their own expert opinion regarding the condition of RAAC present within their property.

If RAAC is discovered, the advice on dealing with it will be in line with the IStructE’s guidance which recognises the remediation approach that Dundee City Council has implemented in the pilot properties.