Edinburgh Councillors have this week reviewed a report highlighting the successful outcomes of the Mixed Tenure Improvement Service (MTIS) pilot project in Wester Hailes.

The MTIS initiative was established in 2020/21 to address the urgent need for repairs and maintenance in mixed tenure blocks, where ownership is shared between owner-occupiers and landlords, including the Council and other social landlords. Many of these blocks, built under the right-to-buy legislation of the 1980s and 1990s, require significant investment in common areas due to age and lack of proper factoring arrangements.

The MTIS pilot, conducted in Wester Hailes, involved repairs to 1,341 flats across 175 blocks. Work included roofing, guttering, drying room facade repairs, installation of insulation, and maintenance of communal stairwell spaces.

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The success of the MTIS pilot has led to its shortlisting for the Housing and Regeneration category of the 2023 SURF Awards, recognising best practices in community regeneration in Scotland. This recognition underscores the program's effectiveness in improving homes and communities.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Jane Meagher said: "Bringing all our housing stock up to a good condition, making homes energy efficient, warm and affordable to heat is very important, both for tenants and for owners in these blocks.

"By making these older homes more energy efficient, we're driving down carbon emissions and clamping down on issues like damp and fuel poverty. Not only are owners and tenants using less energy, and therefore saving money on energy bills, but they've noticed a huge improvement in the overall area because of the works.

"Council officers have worked hard to support tenants and private owners throughout the MTIS pilot, so I'm delighted that their work was recognised by the prestigious 2023 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration. I look forward to seeing the MTIS continue to develop and improve as we work with owners and tenants to offer support and guidance."