We've been trying to sell our flat for THREE YEARS – but smell from downstairs means nobody wants to buy

Scottish Sun

11-06-2025

Darren has called on the council to do more about the situation, adding that 'it's been hell' for the family
'NIGHTMARE' We've been trying to sell our flat for THREE YEARS – but smell from downstairs means nobody wants to buy
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A HOMEOWNER has claimed he has struggled to sell his flat for three years because an overpowering smell of food is pouring into the home from a restaurant below the property.
Darren Barrett, 53, says all potential buyers have been put off the flat in the west end of Edinburgh because of "pungent" cooking smells.
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Neighbours have been complaining about the smell for years
Credit: GOOGLE MAPS
The property is located on Queensferry Street and sits directly above The Vietnam Food and Coffee Shop.
Back in March, we told how the Vietnamese diner was ordered to close by the local council after neighbours lodged several furious complaints over two years.
The local authority ruled that the restaurant had caused 'odour nuisance' to residents and was ordered to be shut down.
Owner Kim Dinh appealed the decision to the Scottish Government, which upheld the original ruling.
But Darren has told the Edinburgh Evening News that bosses have avoided the notice, adding that they are still cooking meals despite being told they can only serve soup and sandwiches.
A report from Environmental Health stated the overpowering smell is leaking into their homes due to holes in the ceiling and around the ventilation system.
It smells like a Vietnamese kitchen every day in our home... It is pungent. It's so stressful having that smell in our home every night
Darren Barrett
And Darren said the smell is so bad that the family struggles to sit in the living room without all the windows open - even during winter.
The dad said they have been trying to move away from the restaurant for three years, but haven't been able to sell the property.
He explained that there is an official notice online informing potential buyers about the odour issue, which has put people off.
Darren said it has been "heartbreaking" for the family, adding that "It smells like a Vietnamese kitchen every day in our home."
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He said: "We can't sit as a family in the living room, that's been two years now. It gets into the hall as well, but it's at its strongest and worst in the living room.
'We had to go through the winter just there with our living room windows open every day to let the smell out, so it doesn't stink out the rest of the flat. It is pungent.
'It's so stressful having that smell in our home every night. The boys are in their bedroom instead of sitting with us, and my wife and I sit in the kitchen and have to watch TV in our bedroom.
'But our biggest concern is not being able to sell this flat, and that's the third year now, it's a nightmare for us as a family.'
Darren has called on the City of Edinburgh Council to do more about the situation, adding that "it's been hell" for the family.
Our biggest concern is not being able to sell this flat, and that's the third year now, it's a nightmare for us as a family
Darren Barrett
He said: 'They now seem to have just ignored the orders and are still operating as a restaurant, with the smell still invading our home every day.
'We managed to get some communication with planning today, after a month of trying, to say the restaurant has been sent a letter to say they have to close by June 20, or it will be passed onto the legal department, but we just don't know what that means exactly.
'They have been told they can still operate while serving food like soup and sandwiches, but not fully cooked meals. They had earlier said they were not preparing hot food, which is just nonsense.'
Owner Kim Dinh told the Edinburgh Evening News that they were unaware of the ventilation and odour issues when they took over the premises in 2023 from previous owners Noodles and Rice.
Years of complaints
DARREN isn't the only neighbour who has complained about the smell coming from The Vietnam Food and Coffee Shop over the last two years.
Another local claimed he was suffering from the stench on a daily basis for over a year and that the problem was impacting his mental health.
He said: "Having to be in the position of explaining to visitors or guests why there is a 'bad smell' time and time again is embarrassing, frustrating and unfair when this should quite simply not be in use as a restaurant.
"At times, we are faced with making the decision to heat the home and bear with the smells or leave windows open and be cold.
"The fact that this issue has persisted for well over 12 months is mentally draining and stressful."
Owners initially appealed the decision to close, and submitted a document to Edinburgh Council's planning committee which read: "
The Vietnam Food and Coffee Shop is not just a business but a vital source of livelihood for a family supporting a disabled child.
"The enforcement notice and subsequent closure have caused significant financial and emotional strain on the family.
"The business has also become a valued part of the community, offering authentic cultural cuisine and supporting the local economy."
But Government reporter Trudi Craggs upheld the council decision.
The council said: "The use as a restaurant has resulted in odour nuisance being evident in the residential flats located above the premises and has resulted in the matter being brought to the attention of planning enforcement."
They added that they were always upfront with landlords about their plans for the restaurant and "at no point" were told about any issues or informed about the unit being "unsuitable for restaurant use".
Kim also explained that they tried to fix the issues regarding the holes and problems with the ventilation system, explaining that "the structural limitations of this older building made a full technical solution extremely difficult".
They also rejected claims that they are "ignoring" the notice to close.
Kim said: "First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere sympathy to Mr Barrett and his family.
"We understand how distressing this ongoing situation must be for them, and we never intended to cause disruption to anyone's home life."
We will begin the process of closing the restaurant. This is a heartbreaking decision for us. We have poured our energy, savings, and passion into creating a business
Kim Dinh
They added: "We have never intended to ignore enforcement — rather, we awaited the outcome of our planning application before taking irreversible steps to close the business, which would have had serious financial consequences for our family.
"We will, of course, comply with the latest directive and begin the process of closing the restaurant.
"This is a heartbreaking decision for us. We have poured our energy, savings, and passion into creating a business that contributes to the local area.
"We worry this will represent a loss of cultural diversity and community offering in the neighbourhood."
Bosses also called on councils across Scotland to share "complex histories" with small businesses planning on moving into new premises.
The City of Edinburgh Council has been approached for comment.