An app that allows tenement residents to coordinate maintenance and repairs of shared areas has expanded from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
The Novoville Shared Repairs app allows people who have any property in co-ownership to join their ‘virtual tenement’. Via this, they can connect with other owners and manage their block’s repairs and maintenance needs from start to finish.
The app is mostly used by self-factoring tenements, but can also be used by any tenement where a project or repair falls outside of the scope of their factoring agreement. Using the app, residents can report and progress repair or maintenance work to tenement proprietors.
They can also contact contractors and receive quotes through the app.
Owners then use an in-built voting system to select their preferred contractor. They can pay their share of the cost into a secure account available in the app rather than one owner having to coordinate those payments.
The app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. A small fee (2% plus VAT) is chargeable upon the completion of a successful repair or maintenance project.
From Edinburgh to Glasgow
The app was launched to those in tenements in Edinburgh in spring 2021. The expansion to Glasgow is supported by the city’s council.
Duncan Thomson, group manager – private sector housing, at Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow City Council has been monitoring the progress of the app. [We’re] keen for a digital solution that will enable owners in tenement buildings to engage with each other in the repair and maintenance of their properties.
“This app will provide a platform for owners to share information and highlight the need for repairs, organise quotes for the work and deposit their money in a regulated account. The council supports the app as this should assist owners to speed up the carrying out of common repairs.”
Louis Daillencourt, business development director at Novoville, added: “It’s not just about pride of place. It’s a lot more cost-effective to maintain buildings than to repair them. In times of high energy costs, fabric repairs and maintenance are a simple and effective way to keep your home warmer, wind and watertight, and avoid unnecessary high energy bills.”
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