Local MSP Ben Macpherson has welcomed the Holyrood Government’s commitment to a review of communal tenemental repairs.
In a housing debate at Holyrood yesterday, MSPs discussed collective responsibility for tenement maintenance, enhancement and repairs, like roofs, common stairs, back greens and other communal property.
Tenements account for almost a quarter of Scotland’s housing stock, which is about half a million homes. The definition of a tenement is a 4-in-a-block or larger residential building, which covers rural communities as well as urban Scotland.
In tenements, owners often face challenges when it comes to undertaking repairs or maintenance of communal areas, whether that’s to do with a roof, a communal stair or a back green.
Speaking in yesterday’s debate, Minister for Local Government and Housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, expressed his support for a recently established Working Group on improving the maintenance of tenement communal property, chaired by Ben Macpherson MSP.
The Working Group was set up to explore and propose how best to support owners of tenement flats to collectively maintain, repair and enhance their communal property, and overcome the challenges of diverse economic circumstances and collective responsibility.
During the debate, Mr Stewart also committed to carrying out a review of existing legislation and engaging with the Working Group on potential new initiatives and solutions.
He said: “I welcome Ben Macpherson’s establishment of a Working Group of MSPs from across this chamber and interested stakeholders to look at ways for owners to better look after tenements. I look forward to hearing this Group’s findings, and particularly about the practical difficulties to enforcement and costs that may be involved for home owners, I will of course give serious consideration to proposals that come out of the Group.
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson, said: “When it comes to tenements, like many in my constituency, current legislation and initiatives like www.underoneroof.scot are helping with maintenance – but,in too many cases, necessary works and enhancements simply aren’t taking place. That’s why I very much welcome today’s debate and the Scottish Government’s commitment to a review that looks at how we can better upkeep and enhance Scotland’s tenement buildings.
“By seeking collective solutions to better maintain and enhance Scotland’s tenements, we can help sustain and improve nearly a quarter of Scotland’s domestic housing stock, which is about half a million homes.
“I’m glad to have helped to take this important issue forward, by creating the new Working Group of MSPs and experts on tenement housing issues. Working with the Scottish Government, the rest of this Group and I will continue to work together to establish meaningful, well-thought-out solutions that help owners, tenants and wider society.
“Better maintained tenements improve the lives of those living in flats, the quality of our shared spaces and the safety of building structures – this is a big issue that affects a lot of people and I’m glad that progress so that maintenance takes place and buildings are preserved and enhanced.”
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