App to be rolled out in two more local authorities following success in Edinburgh

An app developed by Edinburgh Council has been “so successful” in its first year it will be rolled out in two other local authorities.  

The app, made by technology company Novoville, along with the City of Edinburgh Council, allows homeowners living in shared buildings to report damage and areas in need of repair.  

The scheme saw the number of privately-owned properties reporting damage double. Following the early success, Perth and Kinross and East Ayrshire Councils have announced they will roll out the app to homeowners in their council areas.  

Launched in April 2021, the app has over 500 tenement buildings registered in Edinburgh. Over 5,000 properties within buildings using the service have benefited from £700,000 worth of repairs.  

Repairs ranged from extensive roof repairs costing £50,000, to replaced locks costing £200. The app currently lists around 150 trusted traders.  

The service was developed through the Scottish Government's CivTech Accelerator programme.  

Councillor Mandy Watt, City of Edinburgh Council’s finance and resources convener said: “Edinburgh is leading the way in this work in Scotland, and it is great news that two other councils are now about to launch it in their area as well. Our shared repairs team is doing a fantastic job helping people who live in shared buildings through the steps they need to take to carry out repairs to their properties.  

“The app helps people take greater control of the process. It's very accessible and easy to use.  

“Edinburgh has around 170,000 tenement flats and other shared buildings with multiple owners. It’s great to see so many property owners already engaging with the app, as many of these buildings are in need of urgent repair.  

“The feedback I’m getting is that without the app, some people say they wouldn't have had the confidence to approach neighbours and get the repairs done, or the process would have taken a lot longer due to communication breakdowns and uncertainties about the correct course of action.”  

Louis Daillencourt, from Novoville, said: “It's been a pleasure to work with Edinburgh proprietors in the last year to help them fix often longstanding issues, keep their buildings safe, and make them more comfortable. Thanks to their feedback, we've learnt a lot and invested in making the app ever simpler to use.