Factor fees in Edinburgh: management charges, floats and repair funds

Ask what the bill includes, not just how much it is. According to mygov.scot: property factor fees, each property factor sets its own fees. They are not set or approved by the Scottish Government. Costs depend on the building, the services in the written statement and contractor costs. That is why this guide does not offer a guessed “average Edinburgh factor fee”.

Separate the three kinds of payment

mygov.scot says factors usually charge a regular management fee, a float for routine repairs and a maintenance fund for bigger repairs. These are different things. When comparing two flats, our suggestion is to make a separate line for each, rather than comparing one headline monthly payment with another.

• Management: ask what regular services the fee pays for and how often it is billed.
• Routine-repair float: ask how much you need to contribute, how it is used and what happens when you sell.
• Bigger-repair fund: ask for the current arrangements and whether proposed work has an estimate.

These are questions to put to the seller and factor. Do not assume that a regular payment includes every repair or that a balance will transfer to you; ask your solicitor to confirm the arrangements for this purchase.

Request the written statement and recent accounts

mygov.scot: what property factors must do says a factor must give homeowners a written statement explaining its services and how fees are calculated. The fees guidance also says the factor must supply a financial statement at least annually showing spending and work done.

Before buying, ask the seller for the current written statement, recent statements and details of proposed works. Mark any unclear charges and ask for an explanation. Our practical comparison sheet would have columns for the service, payment frequency, amount, what is included and questions still unanswered.

Check the cost split, not just the total

mygov.scot: responsibility for tenement repairs directs owners to their title deeds for common-area responsibilities, decision-making and maintenance-cost shares. Ask your solicitor to explain the share for your flat. Do not divide the whole-building estimate by the number of doors unless that is the correct rule for the work.

The shared repairs calculator can illustrate supported splits once you know the assumptions. It cannot determine what your deeds require. Keep purchase costs and ongoing building costs on separate lines in your budget.

What if a charge does not make sense?

The official fees guidance says to ask the factor for an explanation. It describes a complaint, then a tribunal application, where charges are for services not provided, differ from the written statement or go against the title deeds. Start with documents and a clear question rather than assuming a charge is wrong.

For location context, compare Coburg Street with other streets in your buyer pack. A heritage or area result is not a factor-fee quote: get the actual building’s paperwork.

Put the answers in one place

Use the flat buyer’s checklist to prepare your questions, and save streets in your buyer pack. The LBTT calculator helps with purchase-tax planning; the shared repairs calculator illustrates supported repair-cost splits. Neither replaces advice about your own flat.

Not legal advice. This is a plain-English summary of official sources to help you know what to ask. Every property is different, so check the details with your solicitor, surveyor or the council before you rely on it.

Related

Property factors: roles and registration · Shared repairs in tenements · Title deeds for flat buyers · Browse postcode areas · Search a street

Official sources

Checked 7 November 2026. mygov.scot: property factor fees · mygov.scot: what property factors must do · mygov.scot: responsibility for tenement repairs. Our questions and checklists are practical suggestions, not legal or surveying advice.