Looking after your property

As an owner you are responsible for the repair and maintenance of your property. This includes, internal and externals parts and any common areas.

Having a maintenance checklist in place can remind you to check different parts of your building at different times of the year. Regular inspections of your house can help you spot and fix minor repairs, reducing the chances of repairs going unnoticed, which may cost you more money in the long run to put right.

Looking after your property - maintenance plan
DOCX file, 272.3 KB

Your property title deed will outline what common parts you are responsible for. If the title deed isn't clear, if there are gaps or anomalies, you should look at the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004.

  1. Table of contents

Common repairs

If your property has a common area; you and your co-owners are responsible for any maintenance and repairs.

Your title deeds will tell you who is responsible. Common areas can include internal stair lighting, door entry system, guttering, external paths and shared roof etc.

If you live in a tenement and your title deeds do not have the information you require, you can revert to the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for guidance. The Tenements Act set out rules for making decisions about common repairs and maintenance. Under One Roof is a website that provides free and impartial advice to owners.

The Novoville Shared Repair app may also help you arrange common repairs and maintenance within a tenement/block, whether in private ownership or mixed tenure. For more information and to download the app, visit Novoville Shared Repairs or our Novoville Shared Repair app page.

Maintenance checklist

Creating a maintenance checklist will allow you to manage the repairs and maintenance of your property. An example maintenance checklist can be found below:

Looking after your property - sample checklist
DOCX file, 56.6 KB
Looking after your property - blank checklist
DOCX file, 37.2 KB

Carrying out inspections

We recommend that you check your property regularly. If you are unsure or concerned about checking any part of your property, you should seek advice from the correct tradespeople.

For information on where to find suitable tradespeople see Buy with Confidence.

Seasonal checks

It is good to check property at the beginning of each season to ensure that any weather related damage is repaired. This will avoid further damage, which may be expensive to fix.

Spring & Summer checks

  • signs of decay on exterior wood, fences, outbuildings etc
  • exterior paintwork on property, windows, doors etc
  • gutters and downpipes - are they clear or need repaired or replaced

Autumn & Winter checks

  • replace any damaged or missing tiles or slates from the roof
  • all water pipes are correctly insulated
  • all vents are clear - vents in the windows and walls

Internal checks

Living in your property means that you should notice when something isn't right, however it is recommended that you look out for the following:

Check walls and ceilings for:

  • Cracks - it could be natural movement but could also be a sign of structural issues
  • Stains - could be a sign of a leak or water penetration from roof or water tank

Check doors and windows for:

  • Seals and ventilation
  • Safety catches

Check floors for:

  • Squeaky floor boards or dips - could be a sign of an underlying problem

Check kitchen and bathrooms for:

  • Cracked tiles or flooring
  • Cracked or broken Seals

Always check for signs of damp or wet patches throughout. For information on how to manage condensation or how to treat damp, contact Environmental Health or a suitable tradesperson.

Environmental Health
01324 504950
envhealth@falkirk.gov.uk

External and structural checks

Different parts of your property have a different life span. The information below is a guide for you to consider when checking your property as a starting point. It is recommended that you contact a suitable tradesperson for advice.

When to check What to check
Every year Roof inspection
  • Check flashings, roof tile/slates and any chimneys
  • TV aerials and fixings
Walls
  • Check any rendering or rough casting
  • Exterior wood work - windows, doors and fascia boards
1-5 years Paint work
  • Windows, doors and any external staircases
Gutters & Down Pipes
Door entry systems
5-10 years Roof inspection
  • Check any felt roofs
10-15 years Walls and chimneys
  • Check and replace pointing
  • Check and replace rendering
Windows - uPVC
20-50 years Roof inspection
  • Replace felt roof
  • Replace tiles and slates
50-100 years Replacement
  • Roof
  • Cast iron works
  • External woodwork (painted and/or treated)
  • Gutters and downpipes

If you have a factor

A Factor Service may include maintenance of common parts. If your property is managed by a factor and you are unsure what the service includes it would be best to contact them.

More information on factors can be found on the Under One Roof website.

Repairing Standard

For information on the Repairing Standard please refer to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber).

If a Landlord fails to meet the Repairing Standard, they can be reported to First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber).

The Housing and Property Chamber can issue a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order (RSEO) against the Landlord and will place this onto the property title deeds.