FIFE Council are struggling to buy back properties in Dunfermline as they're constantly being "outbid".

Housing boss Lynne Johnston said there was a "clear need for more affordable homes" in the city but they can't compete in a sellers' market with some properties being sold for up to 15 per cent more than the asking price.

The local authority declared a housing emergency earlier this year, as demand continues to outstrip supply, and the main approach to try and reduce their long waiting lists is to build and buy homes.

At the City of Dunfermline area committee, Councillor Lynn Ballantyne-Wardlaw said the latter hadn't been very successful.

She said: "The report talks about two properties being bought back in the Dunfermline area last year.

"To be honest that seems a bit disappointing, particularly when we have properties advertised very regularly which would absolutely be suitable to bring back into our housing stock.

"What are the restrictions you're facing as a service to bring these properties back?"

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Ms Johnston, the Dunfermline area housing manager, replied: "It's the demand for property in Dunfermline.

"We can only go to a certain percentage, five per cent, over the home report value.

"So we are being outbid by private purchasers unfortunately.

"The demand is so high that properties are going for considerably more, 10 to 15 per cent over the asking price."

Cllr Ballantyne-Wardlaw asked: "Is it possible to revisit that policy given that it's still a very cost effective way of bringing housing back under council control?"

Ms Johnston said she would report that suggestion back to housing management.

There is continuing pressure on housing services - staff absence and recruitment difficulties had exacerbated this - and councillors were informed about the revised area housing plan for 2024-25.

Ms Johnston said that as well as building new homes and buying back properties, they would let empty homes as quickly as they could and invest in the stock they have to improve homes.

She also told the committee: "There is a clear need for more affordable housing in Dunfermline.

"There are increasing numbers of people looking for housing in Dunfermline with 2,361 applicants with Dunfermline as their first area of choice.

"That accounts for just over 18 per cent of all applicants."