Common repairs
If you buy into a tenement, a four-in-a-block, a terrace or a former council house you may share part of your property, like the roof, garden or stair, with other owners.
If you are buying a former council property, for example, you may share a responsibility for repair or maintenance in common with the local authority.
Common responsibilities are usually listed in your title deeds or the Burdens Section of your Land Certificate so you can read them to find out your responsibilities. If your title deeds or Land Certificate does not list common responsibilities, or if you do not understand them, ask your solicitor to explain.
Normally, everybody in the stair or building agrees to pay a portion of the bill when a common repair is needed. However sometimes a factor is employed to manage a tenement or common property and property owners pay for the service. The factor's main duties are dealing with repairs and tradesmen, collecting everyone's share of common repair bills, generally known as common charges, paying common insurance and handling rents and repairs.
Factoring is more common in the west of Scotland than in the east, but whatever the factor does on your behalf, remember you are still responsible for the maintenance and repair of your property!