A new awareness campaign is underway in Edinburgh to encourage flat owners to work together on keeping their properties in good repair.

The City of Edinburgh Council's Shared Repairs Service toolkit offers private homeowners help and guidance when seeking to repair their properties.

Launched earlier this year, the system is (in some cases) able to cover the missing share' to enable much-needed works to go ahead if an owner in a tenement property is unable or unwilling to get involved.

Advice is available to those looking to fix a leaking roof, blocked guttering, a chimney, or stonework in need of repair. The toolkit also takes homeowners through the process with their neighbours to get these and many other areas of their property fixed more easily and efficiently.

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So far, more than £600,000 worth of work has been carried out privately in 46 tenement buildings, while £350,000 of worth has been completed on behalf of owners in four tenements. Overall, around 500 people have been helped so far.

Cllr Alasdair Rankin said: "Storm Ophelia was a reminder to us all of the need to keep our property in good repair. The launch of our campaign and the toolkit is very timely as we approach the winter.

"The aim of the new service and the campaign is to help and guide people to take care of their own properties such as helping to set up stair meetings, explaining legislation and guiding towards trusted traders, all of which can help when speaking to or writing to your fellow owners. Whilst the relatively new Shared Repairs Service will only step in financially as a last resort, it is a necessary part of helping to maintain the built fabric of the city.

"I was personally involved in a case in George Street, where by supporting the lead owner, we managed to help everyone in the building carry out major works and at no cost to the Council. I feel sure that the service will continue to prove its value to tenement property owners."

(LM/MH)