Advice on property factoring
For some years the City of Edinburgh Council has acted as the property factor for your block, looking after both the communally-owned parts of the block and also some parts which, though not communally owned, all owners have a liability to maintain (‘the common parts’).
The title deeds for each property set out owner rights and responsibilities for the common parts. The appointment of a property factor by the owners is simply the owners delegating these powers to a third party, that is the property factor. As such, the property factor has no greater powers on behalf of the owners than the owners have themselves individually. The property factor is simply an agent acting on behalf of the owners.
The full detail of the Council’s role as property factor is set out in our Property factoring service: written statement of services. This written statement of services has been produced in line with the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011. It describes the service levels and arrangements between the Council, as property factor, and the homeowners of the factored properties. Please note this includes the Council as an owner of some of the properties in the block.
Costs for shared repairs, help and advice for owners
All the owners, including the Council, are responsible for paying their share towards repairs and maintenance to common parts of the block. The Council represents council-owned flats in the building and funds their share of the costs.
We understand that works to the block can often be expensive, and you may have concerns about funding it.
Your case officer can explain the options available to you from the Council, including referring you to the debt recovery or acquisitions and disposals teams. We cannot provide financial or legal advice. You must seek your own financial or legal advice from
- your bank
- a financial advisor
- solicitor
- other independent organisation.
We are unable to provide advice. You may be able to get free guidance from these organisations:
- Citizens Advice Scotland - Scotland’s largest independent advice network
0131 550 1000 - Scottish Welfare Fund Team – Helping families in Scotland on low incomes
welfarefundteam@edinburgh.gov.uk
0131 529 5299 - Age UK – Supporting older people in the UK
0333 323 2400
Care and Repair Scotland – Enabling older and disabled people to stay in their homes
0141 221 9879 - Ithrive – helping people find mental health and wellbeing services
- Get the worrying about money guide to find out about how to get advice and help with money matters.