Repairs that do not fit the criteria of emergency works, but which would cause disrepair if left, are categorised as routine repairs. A routine repair can be minor or major, depending on the amount of work required. A majority of homeowners must agree for any repair work to go ahead.
Examples of shared common repairs include:
- Repairs to the door entry system (non-emergency)
- Cleaning to guttering where moss has gathered
- Damaged roof tiles which need to be replaced
- Leaking rhones (also known as gutters)
- Faulty door closer on the communal door
Emergency work can be carried out to a common part of a property by a homeowner, without the approval of other homeowners. This is often where there's a health and safety risk to a member of the public or if there's potential for further damage.
Examples of emergency repairs include:
- Close lights not working and leaving the stairwell in darkness
- A roof tile that has broken and is in danger of falling or letting in water
- A loose rhone hanging over doorways and common paths
- Burst pipes within the communal area
The Mutual Owners team can only deal with shared repairs, where work is required to the communal areas of the building and there is a mix of owners and council tenants. If you need to report a repair to your own council house, please go to our Housing repairs section.
A shared repair can be reported by a homeowner or by a council tenant.
When reporting a shared repair, it's important that you give as much information as possible. You should be prepared to give the following details:
- Your name and contact details
- Full address including postcode
- Block or close detail if necessary
- Location of laundrette or bin store if necessary
- Full detail of the repair
This information will assist staff in processing the repair. Please advise that you are reporting a repair with shared responsibility. Please remember to visit our Housing repairs section if you want to report a repair to your own council house.
There are various ways to report repairs:
- Non-emergency - Online reporting
- Emergency (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) - 03451 55 00 11
- Emergency (6pm to 8am, including weekends and public holidays) - 03451 55 00 99
- Email: mutual.owners@fife.gov.uk
In an emergency
If you believe the repair is a danger to health or safety, you should report the problem as soon as possible. Please use the Request an emergency housing repair online form.
Back To TopWhen a non-emergency shared repair is reported to us, homeowners will need to agree before the repair can go ahead. The following steps will be taken:
- Repair will be inspected by a Housing Management Officer from the Factoring and Mutual Owners Team, to decide on the nature of the repair
- The Housing Management Officer will obtain costs for the repair
- All homeowners with a shared liability will be notified of the repair and all costs associated with it. This includes a ballot paper to return (please note, majority agreement for non-emergency repairs is required before repairs can go ahead)
- Following majority agreement, the shared repair will be carried out by the appointed contractor
- Completed repairs will be inspected by the Housing Management Officer and approved
- An invoice will be sent to all homeowners with a share of liability
Where works are undertaken by our Factoring and Mutual Owners Team, a fee will be added to cover the administration of the repair.
Where an emergency repair is reported, we'll carry out the works to make sure there's no risk to the health and safety of residents and/or to avoid serious damage to the building or structure. The minimum work required to make safe will be done and all homeowners with a responsibility will be issued with a notice. It will advise of their liability for the works and costs due, in line with their title deeds. A fee will be added to all invoices to cover the costs of administration. Advice will also be provided on how payments can be made.
Where homeowners fail to pay for their share of works, we'll seek to recover monies due.
Back To TopIf you need to reschedule your non-emergency housing repair, you can do so via the red Chat button on our Housing repairs page.
Please note, this is for rescheduling repairs only.
Back To TopOrganising and carrying out shared repairs, either emergency or routine, can be led by either us or by a private homeowner. However, if we're delivering Factoring Services to the development you live in, we'll lead with the repair.
Homeowners should ensure legal requirements are followed so repairs costs can be recharged to other homeowners who share liability of the repair.
Where a homeowner contacts us to advise of emergency work that has been carried out, the repair will be inspected by a Factoring and Mutual Owners Housing Management Officer. The homeowner needs to submit a receipted invoice for the emergency repair before we can arrange to pay back the council's share of the costs.
This payment is made by bank transfer and can take up to 20 working days, allowing for post inspection and processing of payment.
