Maintaining a building is an on-going process. Just as an MOT is required for a vehicle, it is useful to carry out regular inspections to your property to ensure it remains wind and watertight and to safeguard your investment. It is therefore a good idea to regularly set aside funds so that you are able to keep on top of any necessary repairs.

Visit our online maintenance guide for advice on maintaining your tenement.

In addition, you are legally required to keep your building in good order. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 introduced new laws to ensure owners keep properties in good condition.

To help plan for repairs, you can see an example of a maintenance plan here. The plan is recommended as a guide and as such could be altered to suit your individual/owner’s association needs. What is an owner's association?

National Maintenance Week - 23rd to 30th November

National Maintenance Week is an annual event which offers practical and straightforward advice to property owners regarding the maintenance and repair of their building. The event is organised by The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

Now into its 11th year, National Maintenance Week also coincides with National Gutters Day, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of regular clearing which could prevent major damage in future.

As part of the overall 2012 event, Rothesay THI offered a presentation on energy efficiency in traditional buildings, delivered by Towards Zero Carbon Bute, which was the key message of this year's event and the effects of lack of maintenance by Building Standards.  

For more information on National Maintenance Week and maintenance in general, take a look at SPAB's website.

Useful Documents

The Rothesay Tenement Maintenance Guide is a useful booklet published by Rothesay THI and is tailored to improving Rothesay's tenements. It contains information on your rights and responsibilities as an owner and what to look out for to avoid your building falling into disrepair.

To help towards the cost of a Tenement Condition Survey, the council may be able to grant aid up to 75% of this. The survey would categorise works required and give a breakdown of costings attributable to each flat within the building. This may help you when prioritising maintenance works and would also support any THI grant application.

The 'Common Sense, Common Repairs' booklet explains who may be responsible for what when properties are shared by two or more owners.

For advice on repairs to and maintenance of more specific elements of your building it may be useful to browse Historic Scotland's Inform Guides. Here you can find free publications about maintaining slate roofs, masonry decay, sash and case windows and more.