As part of South Ayrshire Council’s ongoing initiative to improve public safety, property owners are being encouraged to maintain their buildings in a safe condition.

The Council have carried out a preliminary survey of the front facades of buildings in the town centre areas of Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick and Troon, and will be carrying out further inspections of certain buildings in association with the property owners.

Property owners are responsible for ensuring that any buildings under their ownership are maintained in a safe condition. It is therefore important that owners put in place a planned programme of property inspection and maintenance.

The Council has a responsibility to deal with buildings that have become dangerous, and if necessary to ensure that these buildings are vacated by the occupants. In addition, the Council has powers to take direct action to make buildings safe if the owners are unable to arrange the works, and to recover the costs of such action.

Grant assistance under the Private Sector Housing Grant (PSHG) scheme may be available for owners of residential properties within the designated town centre areas, for essential works such as roof and masonry repairs, thought to be necessary in the interests of safety.

If you wish more information on how to deal with dangerous or defective buildings contact South Ayrshire Council’s Building Standards Services, Burns House, Burns Statue Square, Ayr on telephone number 01292 616253 or log on to the website www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/buildingstandards.

March 2005