Albany Court, Fraserburgh

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Albany Court is located in Fraserburgh, with a total of 41 flats in the main complex. It also has a small number of linked cottages, 3 of which are currently being used as Sheltered Housing.

Occupancy rates and demand for Albany Court have fallen in recent years, with occupancy falling to 80.7% in 2023/24 from a high of 99.2% in 2014/15 and significant challenges in letting vacancies. We currently have four Sheltered Housing schemes in Fraserburgh, meaning that demand in the settlement is split between a relatively large number of properties.

The scheme is also challenging financially, with a Net Present Value of around -£4.4 million. This negative value is caused by a combination of lost income due to vacancies and future investment requirements. Although the scheme returns a small revenue surplus at the moment, this will not cover the cost of future works required at the scheme, meaning that other housing tenants will have to subsidise these in future.

The layout of the scheme can present challenges to tenants with mobility issues, and could restrict the ability of people to live there. Fraserburgh itself has a wide range of shops and other local amenities available to tenants, and the scheme has good bus links nearby.

The main drivers for considering the closure of this scheme are the low demand for vacant properties here, and the high costs of maintaining the scheme in future.


Albany Court is located in Fraserburgh, with a total of 41 flats in the main complex. It also has a small number of linked cottages, 3 of which are currently being used as Sheltered Housing.

Occupancy rates and demand for Albany Court have fallen in recent years, with occupancy falling to 80.7% in 2023/24 from a high of 99.2% in 2014/15 and significant challenges in letting vacancies. We currently have four Sheltered Housing schemes in Fraserburgh, meaning that demand in the settlement is split between a relatively large number of properties.

The scheme is also challenging financially, with a Net Present Value of around -£4.4 million. This negative value is caused by a combination of lost income due to vacancies and future investment requirements. Although the scheme returns a small revenue surplus at the moment, this will not cover the cost of future works required at the scheme, meaning that other housing tenants will have to subsidise these in future.

The layout of the scheme can present challenges to tenants with mobility issues, and could restrict the ability of people to live there. Fraserburgh itself has a wide range of shops and other local amenities available to tenants, and the scheme has good bus links nearby.

The main drivers for considering the closure of this scheme are the low demand for vacant properties here, and the high costs of maintaining the scheme in future.


Questions

Question 1 - Will the cottages be affected? 

Answer: No they won't, for those tenants who reside in cottages they can remain in them, but the access to the scheme once it is closed will stop, e.g. laundry and communal lounge for social activities. However we can link the cottages to another scheme in Fraserburgh e.g. Windmill Court.

Question 2 - Why are there so many empty properties at Albany Court?

Answer: Applicants appear to be more interested in the other schemes in Fraserburgh, that are more centrally located within the town, some of the flats are small with a number of bedsits in Albany court that are less attractive.  

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  • Share Albany courtbis actually returning a small revenue surplus. Why have you said it is one of the 54 schemes running at a loss? on Facebook Share Albany courtbis actually returning a small revenue surplus. Why have you said it is one of the 54 schemes running at a loss? on Twitter Share Albany courtbis actually returning a small revenue surplus. Why have you said it is one of the 54 schemes running at a loss? on Linkedin Email Albany courtbis actually returning a small revenue surplus. Why have you said it is one of the 54 schemes running at a loss? link

    Albany courtbis actually returning a small revenue surplus. Why have you said it is one of the 54 schemes running at a loss?

    Jlangley90064 asked 7 days ago

    Albany court along with all but two of the Sheltered Housing schemes does not balance the books and requires to receive subsidies from the HRA. The scheme has a substantial negative Net Present Value driven by high levels of capital investment required along with challenges in letting a high proportion of the properties in the main block. 

  • Share What will the local authority do if and when they do not have sheltered housing accommodation available to the elderly over the coming years? on Facebook Share What will the local authority do if and when they do not have sheltered housing accommodation available to the elderly over the coming years? on Twitter Share What will the local authority do if and when they do not have sheltered housing accommodation available to the elderly over the coming years? on Linkedin Email What will the local authority do if and when they do not have sheltered housing accommodation available to the elderly over the coming years? link

    What will the local authority do if and when they do not have sheltered housing accommodation available to the elderly over the coming years?

    Diane asked 5 days ago

    The review of Sheltered Housing takes into account the future housing needs of Aberdeenshire’s ageing population, with plans in place to upgrade the remaining schemes to ensure they meet the required standards. Aberdeenshire Council currently holds 10% of all Sheltered Housing stock in Scotland, making it the largest provider in the country. Even with the closure of some schemes, the Council will continue to maintain a substantial and well-supported portfolio of housing options for older people.

  • Share What will happen to the empty building once the residends are moved out? Are we all to act supprised when the migrants move i ? on Facebook Share What will happen to the empty building once the residends are moved out? Are we all to act supprised when the migrants move i ? on Twitter Share What will happen to the empty building once the residends are moved out? Are we all to act supprised when the migrants move i ? on Linkedin Email What will happen to the empty building once the residends are moved out? Are we all to act supprised when the migrants move i ? link

    What will happen to the empty building once the residends are moved out? Are we all to act supprised when the migrants move i ?

    Andrew Pattinson asked 11 days ago

    No decision has been made regarding the potential closure of Albany Court. Should a decision to close be taken, the process of supporting tenants to find suitable alternative accommodation will take several months, if not years, and will be carried out in a fully supportive and person-centred manner. As such, no decisions have been made about the future use of the building at this stage.

    Additionally, it is important to clarify that the responsibility for sourcing and managing accommodation for migrants lies with the Home Office, not the local council.

  • Share I visited Albany court last night with my fellow Fraserburgh and District councillors and we heard that there are only now 7 vacant flats as 5 have been occupied recently. Will this have a significant effect on the matrix used? Also all tenants in the meeting said they did not want to move out and would not do so voluntary. on Facebook Share I visited Albany court last night with my fellow Fraserburgh and District councillors and we heard that there are only now 7 vacant flats as 5 have been occupied recently. Will this have a significant effect on the matrix used? Also all tenants in the meeting said they did not want to move out and would not do so voluntary. on Twitter Share I visited Albany court last night with my fellow Fraserburgh and District councillors and we heard that there are only now 7 vacant flats as 5 have been occupied recently. Will this have a significant effect on the matrix used? Also all tenants in the meeting said they did not want to move out and would not do so voluntary. on Linkedin Email I visited Albany court last night with my fellow Fraserburgh and District councillors and we heard that there are only now 7 vacant flats as 5 have been occupied recently. Will this have a significant effect on the matrix used? Also all tenants in the meeting said they did not want to move out and would not do so voluntary. link

    I visited Albany court last night with my fellow Fraserburgh and District councillors and we heard that there are only now 7 vacant flats as 5 have been occupied recently. Will this have a significant effect on the matrix used? Also all tenants in the meeting said they did not want to move out and would not do so voluntary.

    Cllr iain Sutherland asked 24 days ago

    The data analysis methodology has been consistent across all 17 schemes, utilising occupancy levels from the past 10 years for evaluation. In the case of Albany Court, several properties were identified as low demand, with no interest from prospective tenants at the time of analysis (10 December 2024). At that point, there were eight vacancies. As such, the allocation of the five additional properties, along with the existing seven vacant units, is unlikely to significantly impact the overall scoring.

    We are committed to working closely with tenants, listening to their needs and preferences, and providing support in exploring alternative accommodation options should a decision be made to close Albany Court. There is no urgency for tenants to move until suitable and preferred alternative housing has been identified. We fully acknowledge the emotional difficulty of this situation and are dedicated to managing any transitions with sensitivity and comprehensive support.

Page last updated: 12 May 2025, 02:10 PM