Financial and charging arrangements
Homeowners will be charged for the factoring service which will include the management fee and the cost of repairs and maintenance provided to them by the Council. Typically, your title deeds will confirm how your share of the cost of repairs is determined but in cases where the title deeds are silent on the matter, costs will be determined in accordance with the Tenement Management Scheme under the 2004 Act. The appropriate apportionment is specified in the Property Schedule at Appendix A.
Invoicing
Homeowners will be issued with an annual statement of repairs and services and a detailed list of repairs and maintenance carried out to your block during the 12-month period to 31 March each year. Following this the Council will issue invoices to homeowners annually around June of each year for factoring services. For example, any invoices in relation to the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 will be issued in June 2022.
In addition to this, we may issue invoices for planned repairs separately. Payment is due within 28 days, alternatively you can arrange a payment plan by calling the Accounts Receivable Team. Invoices will be posted to the contact address we have on file, if you have confirmed an alternative contact method such as email, we will aim to deliver this within our capabilities.
Late payments
If payment for an invoice is not received by the due date, interest will be added to the debt outstanding in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Debt policy. The current rate set by the Council is 8%.
VAT
The Council must pay VAT on some costs. When this is the case, we will add VAT at the appropriate rate to your share of the costs. The Council must charge VAT on fees. The invoice will show the details of any VAT payable.
Payment methods
To pay
- by Direct Debit email Accounts Receivable accountsreceiveable@edinburgh.gov.uk
- online* www.edinburgh.gov.uk/payabill
- by post send a cheque payable to ‘The City of Edinburgh Council’ to The City of Edinburgh Council, Revenues Benefits division, PO Box 59, Edinburgh, EH1 1UF.
- by BACS* use sort code 83-06-08 and account 00740589
* Payment reference is required which is outlined on the invoice.
Corporate debt policy
It is important that the Council recovers all costs associated with factoring services. We have a debt recovery process for dealing with non-payment which clarifies the steps we will follow. You will find the Corporate Debt policy online at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory/10239/policy-register
If you fall behind with your factoring charges, suitable arrangements can be made to clear the debt. If you have an arrangement in place it is vital you adhere to it to avoid possible legal action being taken against you. In order that we are fair to those homeowners who do pay their factoring charges in full and on time please be advised the Council will pursue legal action to recover unpaid factoring charges where there has been no attempt to clear arrears or an arrangement has been consistently broken. Where debt is pursued through the legal process the Council will seek to recover all expenses from the homeowner.
Financial difficulty
If you are having difficulty paying factoring fees, we may be able to help by
- setting up an affordable payment plan
- advising you of organisations that can help with money advice.