Edinburgh Council has said it is considering launching a new property repairs enforcement service.

The detailed service blueprint, costed business plan and implementation plan is due to be presented to the Finance and Resources Committee next Thursday, 27 November.

If the project is approved, it would result in extending the local authority's Shared Repairs service.

The proposed design is based on supporting homeowners to take responsibility for their own shared repairs, with the Council only carrying out emergency and essential repairs where owners are unable to do so themselves. The service would be delivered by an in-house team working to clear operational procedures and quality assurance standards, while improved management information systems would be developed to ensure clear communications with owners affected by repairs projects, Edinburgh Council has said.

It is understood an initial project management fee of 26% has been proposed, allowing the council to recover the costs of enforcement, with a 5% discount offered to those who settle within 28 days.

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Councillor Alasdair Rankin, Finance Convener, explained: "We are acutely aware of the issues faced by the former Property Conservation Service and the wishes of Edinburgh residents to see the Council play a role in protecting our historic capital city.

"The design set out in this blueprint pays particular attention to the lessons learned and to the need for a culture change on the part of homeowners.

"Essentially, we are aiming to balance the Council's commitment to protect the fabric of the city with the need to encourage owners to take responsibility for repairs to their own homes.

"In the longer term, we believe that national legislation may be required to ensure that owners of shared properties across the country are supported in taking a more proactive and planned approach to maintaining and managing their buildings and it is our intention to continue the dialogue we have already started with Scottish Ministers."

The previous system was suspended in 2011 following allegations of mismanagement. It was claimed that owners were being overcharged for repair work, which was occasionally found to be substandard, or didn't need to be carried out in the first place.

Councillor Bill Cook, Vice Convener, added: "We acknowledge the risk associated with introducing this service but we believe the risk of doing nothing is greater.

"These proposals should not be viewed as a panacea solution to managing shared repairs in the city and Council involvement would only be as a last resort. That said, we recognise that not all homeowners are in a position to manage repairs for themselves and are in genuine need of support."

(JP/IT)