Common Stair Repairs
If you want to save yourself and your fellow residents from costly common stair repair in Edinburgh then get organised. Local councils like the City of Edinburgh want the law chaged to get flat owners to setup a compulsory common stair repair fund.
For CEC advise on how to set up a Shared repair fund
For CEC step by step tenement repairs toolkit guide
Scottish Law Commission “Tenement law: compulsory owners’ associations” Link
Why is this happening ?
Due to the now abandoned Statutory Repair Notice system , properties are falling into disrepair and I suspect that the City of Edinburgh Council does not want to get involved in managing these works.
Why bother having a repair fund ?
Well basically it’s a good idea as my background is building maintenance and the old adage of “a stitch in time” really does work i.e. spend a £100 now and save yourself £1000 in the future.
What if we organise a stair maintenance fund ?
Basically, all good and well done as it’s more cost effective and if the owners contribute a small sum of money into the fund every month then when a repair is needed its no longer a financial shock and you can fix it first time instead of patching it up on the cheap.
What if we don’t form a stair maintenance fund ?
I suspect the councils will get extra powers so that if a stair does not comply with a repair fund then they may want to force a Factor on a stair and the extra cost this incurs.
Is it not better and less hassle to get a Factor ?
Don’t get me wrong a Factor can be a good thing but you have to pay for this service. One example was that I had a landlord who asked me what was the cost of upgrading a stair light to LED. I said £145 each for your stair. She replied it cost us £200 via a Factor and we have to pay £50 a month Factors fee. Basically, a £145 job cost each owner £800
Remember a Factors management fee of £50 each a month in a stair of 9 is £5400 in total per annum.
Below are some links that you mind find helpful.
CEC shared repairs information website
Applying to CEC for tracing absent owners release of ownership
Stair lighting notification form
Common stair repairs in Edinburgh notification form.
Abandoned bikes notification form.
