The Scottish Parliament has passed a new law to allow local councils to recover debts they have incurred when taking on enforcement work on dangerous or defective buildings.

By law, local councils have a statutory obligation to address any dangerous buildings, and can take action as they see fit. The expenses involved can be recovered from the building's owner.

However, the new Buildings (Recovery of Expenses)(Scotland) Bill will now make it easier for local authorities to recover debts by legislating for charging orders, outlining repayable amounts and splitting it into annual instalments.

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They will be able to register a charging order in the appropriate land register, meaning new and former owners, will be liable if the property changes ownership.

Making the announcement, Minister for Local Government and Planning Derek Mackay said: "Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure people inside and outside buildings are safe, and help to protect our built environment for future generations.

"When building owners fail to rectify any dangerous or defective problems to their properties, local authorities can carry out the work and then try to recover costs from the building owners.

"Unfortunately this debt recovery process can be difficult with local authorities struggling to recover expenses and they can left out of pocket.

"This Bill will provide local authorities with additional powers for debt recovery that provides them with flexibility and gives them more certainty to recover these expenses. We want to make sure building owners are held accountable for enforcement work in future."

(JP/IT)