Using the tenement management scheme

Use the tenement management scheme if you need to make decisions about your home's communal areas and your title deeds are unclear.

What the tenement management scheme is

This is legislation that tells you:

• what areas and parts everyone must maintain

• how to come to an agreement

• how costs should be shared

You do not have to live in a tenement. You can use the scheme when the following all apply:

• you live in a building of two or more flats

• there are flats on different floors

• the flats are individually owned or meant to be individually owned

Read the tenement management scheme on the government's legislation website.

Before using the tenement management scheme

Check your title deeds. These are legal documents that say what parts of the building you own and what you are responsible for.

The tenement management scheme is only used when there are gaps or conflicts in title deeds.

We have guidance on title deeds if you need more information.

How to make decisions using the tenement management scheme

Step 1: set up a neighbour meeting

Give everyone at least 48 hours' notice of the meeting.

Discuss what repairs are needed and arrange a vote.

If you cannot set up a meeting, you can vote by email.

Step 2: vote

Decisions are made through majority voting. A proposal must get over 50 percent of the votes to win. Each flat has one vote.

If it’s about common areas only some flats use, such as stairs, lifts or landings, only those flats vote.

If the decision is about common parts, such as the roof or external walls, every flat can vote.

If any flat does not vote, you cannot start the work for 28 days. This is so they can appeal the decision.

Step 3: arrange the repair work

Once a decision is made, you can agree:

• which flat will arrange for repair work

• who will do the work

• how payment will be arranged

If you need to do emergency repairs

In certain circumstances, you can do repairs without a vote or the agreement of your neighbours.

This is when emergency repairs are needed:

• to protect the buildings structure

• for health and safety reasons, like burst pipes or a gas leak

Once the work is done, work out who else should pay for the repairs and tell them what they owe.

If you disagree with a decision

Speak to your neighbours and explain why. You might be able to come to an agreement.

If you have to pay more than 75 percent of repair costs and the decision was made without you, you can cancel the work. Write to all other owners within 21 days saying you do not want the work to go ahead.

A solicitor can write to your neighbours on your behalf or help you challenge a decision in court.

You usually have to apply to court within 28 days from the date the decision was made.