Lots of Edinburgh tenements have a property factor looking after the shared bits. A good one makes life easy; it's worth knowing what to ask before you buy.
Check a street with the Flat Risk Check
What a factor does
mygov.scot describes a property factor as a company or organisation that manages shared areas such as roofs and external walls, stairwells, entrances and lifts, and shared gardens or paths. A factor can be a private business, the council or a housing association. Factors arrange repairs and regular inspections, organise building insurance and manage contracts for services such as gardening.
Do you have to have one?
mygov.scot says your title deeds normally say whether you must have a factor and how to appoint or dismiss one. If the deeds don't set out a process, the law sets default rules, which normally need a majority of owners to agree. Our Tenements Act guide covers how owners make decisions.
The rules factors must follow
- Under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011, there is a register of property factors operating in Scotland. The Scottish Government notes that operating as a factor without registration is a criminal offence (section 12). You can search the Scottish Property Factor Register.
- Registered factors must comply with a statutory code of conduct setting minimum standards of practice. The Scottish Government says an updated version took effect from 16 August 2021.
- If a homeowner thinks their factor hasn't complied with the code or carried out its duties, they can apply to the Housing and Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, which deals with disputes between homeowners and property factors.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Who is the factor, and are they on the register?
- Can I see their written statement of services and recent invoices?
- Is there a common buildings insurance policy, and what does my share cost?
- Is any common repair planned or under way, and is there a sinking or maintenance fund?
- Are there any unpaid factoring charges on the 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
Buying a flat in Edinburgh: the checklist · Roof and common repairs · The Tenements Act · Browse postcode areas · Search a street
Sources (checked 2026-11-06): mygov.scot: property factors · Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 · gov.scot: code of conduct · Property factor register · Housing and Property Chamber. Summaries are our wording; the council's pages are authoritative.