The programme will see mixed tenure homes across Lochend and Restalrig retrofitted for better energy efficiency, prioritising better insulation and targeting the root cause of serious disrepair including damp and mould. The work will make homes in the area warmer and cheaper to heat while smartening up the exterior appearance of buildings.

The retrofitting programme could cover a maximum of approximately 1,440 homes. But the exact number of homes will only be confirmed once the council starts carrying out detailed surveys of the area.

Funding from the project will come from the council’s Housing Revenue Account. Private contributions from homeowners will also be necessary where there are owner occupiers and private landlords in the buildings. The work will be subsidised for most homeowners who are eligible for Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Scheme Grant in Kind Funding.

Members of Living Rent Lochend, who have been campaigning over what they described as the disrepair and the neglect of their housing blocks by the council since November 2022, said they are relieved that the council has committed to introducing the programme and want to ensure owners can afford the cost of the programme.

In December 2022, members staged an action outside Edinburgh City Chambers to protest the council’s lack of action over particular blocks of flats. The flats had overgrown ivy covering the entire block, causing structural damage, blocking windows and light and causing a fire hazard. Living Rent said there were chronic leaks, draughty windows, and the buildings were very poorly insulated. Draughty windows and poorly insulated walls meant that the flats are expensive to heat, especially with the recent increase to fuel bills.

The ivy had grown to such an extent that members said it led to rats being able to access the property, a lack of sunlight in the property and has led many residents to have difficulty opening and closing their windows. Tenants also said that the overgrowth is a serious fire hazard.

Alongside the ivy, tenants also raised concerns about the quality and security of the stair doors, namely in buildings 70 and 71. Tenants pointed out that the failure of the doors to lock represented a safety risk, and say that they have had increased anxiety over strangers entering the property uninvited in the past.

Members highlighted that the City of Edinburgh Council was failing to meet Scottish Housing Regulator Housing Quality Standards that stipulate that council homes must be free from serious disrepair, be energy efficient, have modern facilities and services and be healthy, safe and secure. The action and negotiation with council officials came as the Council announced a hike in rents for social tenants.

Since the action, council staff and elected councillors committed to immediate repairs of the three blocks raised by Living Rent members and a full inspection was carried out the week after union members took action. Ivy was cleared from windows and is due to be removed from the root, a pest control programme was completed, chronic leaks were investigated, and new, secure doors installed. The council also committed to a full retrofitting of the blocks which will see external wall insulation and windows installed among other essential work.

Living Rent Lochend spokesperson Laura Jackman said: “After decades of neglect, the communities of Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig are relieved at the promise of improvements to our homes and wider community. It brings a level of excitement and hope for a vibrant and valuable Edinburgh suburb for all housing tenures, social and private renting tenants as well as private owners.

“This is a huge win for Living Rent members. As energy bills increase, the retrofitting programme will ensure residents in Lochend and Restalrig are more able to afford to heat their homes.

“Such a huge win shows the power that we have when we come together and take collective action to push for what we need.

“Now the council has committed to the programme, the council needs to ensure owners can afford the cost of the programme as well.

“Hundreds of thousands of homes across Scotland are in dire need of repairs and retrofits, Edinburgh City Council have shown that it is possible if there is political will. The Scottish Government needs to ensure that councils have the funding available so that they can follow suit.”

Councilor Jane Meagher, chair of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, said the retrofit scheme was part of the £173m spending package agreed by the council in March.

She said: “Indeed, more than 3,000 older homes in Edinburgh will benefit from retrofit improvements – including around 230 blocks in Restalrig and Lochend.

“The work we do will make homes more modern, greener and more accessible. In many cases we will fundamentally overhaul the fabric of buildings and improve energy efficiency.

“This will help with issues such as damp, help reduce renters’ fuel bills and support Edinburgh’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Rollout will take time and there may be short-term disruptions, but the longer-term benefits to tenants will be significant.

“I am pleased that we are able to undertake this work and that Living Rent’s news is being well received. It’s so important that we continue to listen to our tenants so we can continue to invest in the areas that make the most difference to people’s lives.”