Tenants in Urquhart Crescent and Berrylaw Place, a small estate north-west of Pittencrieff Park, are upset about the poor standard that their properties are in and want to see improvements.

From draughty windows and doors, double glazing which is not sound- or weatherproof, no wall insulation and dampness, residents are sick of their substandard treatment and want the same upgrades as other areas.

“It feels like they’re spending money everywhere but here,” said Jan Eddey, secretary for the Urquhart and Berrylaw Tenants and Residents Association (UBTRA). “They said we were above the poverty line so it wasn’t a priority but if they were to sit in my living room when the wind was blowing in a certain direction then maybe they’d change their minds!

“The problems with the roofs over the years have been horrendous.” After claiming they’ve been waiting years for works to be done, and still no hope in sight, some of the residents say they are at their wits’ end.

“It’s been going on for an awful long time,” said Jan. “The association was formed because of what was going on, particularly a lack of updates on the maisonettes.

“It feels like you’re banging your head against the wall. We just have to keep fighting and fighting, it’s very frustrating.

“It’s getting worse and worse but not for a lack of us asking and telling.” In a letter to the Press, the residents association said, “In spite of all the work done by the Urquhart and Berrylaw tenants and residents in lobbying Fife Council, we are no further forward and if anything the housing stock has further depreciated.

“When we questioned what was being done to the Broomhead flats to bring them up to standard and asked why Urquhart and Berrylaw could not expect the same treatment we were told that we were above the poverty line and as such would not get the same treatment! We will soon be below the poverty line with our high heating bills due to lack of insulation and badly fitting doors and windows.

“While the residents and tenants watch their homes depreciate we hear about community schemes like the arts centre at the old fire station, the floral clock, the Hub etc costing thousands of pounds going ahead. Okay, so the money is coming out of a different pot but surely someone somewhere can see where the priorities should lie.

“Five years later, the depreciation has not halted – as you can imagine it has got worse and the cost of upgrading the properties to a decent standard will cost even more with each passing year.” Fife Council confirmed that it had recently visited the site to get a clearer picture of the problems facing residents.

Senior manager Alan Russell said, “I’m aware that these are issues that are not going to go away.

“While we have limited grants available, I’m looking to see if there are ways to get additional funding which could help the owners in these blocks meet the costs involved.”