Glasgow City Council has given its support to the use of the Novoville Shared Repairs app by people with co-ownership of tenement buildings.
The app – which was developed by the company with City of Edinburgh Council and is also used by others in Scotland – enables people to join their ‘virtual tenement’ in which they can connect with other owners to manage repairs and maintenance.
It is mostly used for self-factoring tenements but can also be used by others when a project or repair falls outside the scope of a factoring agreement. A need for repairs of maintenance work can be reported to tenement proprietors through the app and then progressed.
It can also be used for contacting contractors, receiving quotes for work, to vote on a preferred contractor then to pay the relevant share of a cost into a secure account.
The app charges a fee – currently 2% plus VAT – upon the completion of a job.
Developed for easier repairs
Duncan Thompson, group manager for private sector housing at Glasgow City Council, said: “Novoville was originally commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council who were given funding by the SG to devise a digital solution to make it easier for private owners to carry out common repairs. The app is now widely used in Edinburgh and other local authority areas.
“Glasgow City Council has been monitoring the progress of the app and is keen for a digital solution which 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 property repairs, organise quotes for the work and deposit their money safely in a regulated account. Glasgow City Council supports the introduction of the app as this should assist owners and help speed up the process of carrying out common repairs.”
