New site could save property owners cash on repairs

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE 2016. Under One Roof website launch, Glasgow, 21/9/16. L to R, Kevin Stewart MSP (Minister for Local Government and Housing), John Gilbert (author of the website), Annie Flint (author of the website) and Iain Connelly (RIAS). Pic free for first use relating to RIAS. © Malcolm Cochrane Photography +44 (0)7971 835 065 mail@malcolmcochrane.co.uk No syndication No reproduction without permission
Kevin Stewart MSP, website authors John Gilbert and Annie Flint, and chair of the steering group, Iain Connelly                  © Malcolm Cochrane Photography

A new website has been tipped to save Scottish homeowners “hundreds of millions” of pounds

Under One Roof is designed to help private flat owners carry out repairs to their shared properties. The free site has been launched by Kevin Stewart MSP, the Scottish Government Housing Minister.

Written by Annie Flint and John Gilbert, the authors of the Tenement Handbook originally published by the RIAS over 20 years ago, the site contains over 100 articles on flat owners’ legal responsibilities towards their co-owners and over 70 technical information articles that enable owners to identify repair problems and understand quotations from builders.

The site also features specially commissioned, drawings, photographs and a Repair Symptoms Checker.

Kevin Stewart said, “When you are a flat owner, it can be hard to know where to start when repairs or the maintenance of communal areas like closes and roofs are needed. Under One Roof is a great new tool that will help home owners understand their obligations when it comes to property and shared spaces and provide free and impartial advice.”

Iain Connelly, Chair of the Under One Roof Steering Group added, “This site, which gives advice to owners on, sometimes vital, repairs and on establishing good maintenance regimes, has the potential to save owners very significant sums, amounting, over time, to hundreds of millions of pounds. It will also help prevent acrimony and heartache. This is a very important initiative for Scotland.”

Lorraine MacDonald, owner of Speirs Gumley, property managers of the launch venue at 33 Dalintober Street/53 Morrison Street said, “I am delighted that this beautiful B-listed building has been chosen as the venue for the launch of this vital new website. The restoration of this building is a living example of the best practice that Under One Roof advocates, and shows just what can be achieved when owners, property managers and local authorities pull together – in this case saving this iconic Glasgow building from falling into serious disrepair. I really believe this new website will help make shared repairs and maintenance less daunting for homeowners. As property managers, we’d always advise that prevention is better – and cheaper – than cure.”