A new free website has been launched which could save private flat owners across Scotland hundreds of millions of pounds.

Under One Roof has been designed to help the 500,000 owners of flats carry out repairs to their shared properties.

It was launched by Scottish Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart at an event in Glasgow.

The website has over 100 articles on flat owners’ legal responsibilities towards their co-owners and 70 technical information articles which allow owners to identify repair problems and understand quotations from builders.

It also has 100 specially commissioned drawings, 200 photographs and a repair systems checker to help owners find out what is affecting their building.

Downloadable letters will make the whole process easier for owners and advice on dealing with owners who refuse to participate in critical repairs is also provided.

The website will help owners of traditional stone tenements, newly built apartment blocks, ex-local authority tenements, four-in-a-block and converted houses.

Mr Stewart said: “When you are a flat owner, it can be hard to know where to start when repairs or the maintenance of communal areas like closes and roofs are needed.

“Under One Roof is a great new tool that will help home owners understand their obligations when it comes to property and shared spaces and provide free and impartial advice.”

Iain Connelly, chairman of the Under One Roof steering group, said: “This site, which gives advice to owners on sometimes vital repairs and on establishing good maintenance regimes, has the potential to save owners very significant sums, amounting over time to hundreds of millions of pounds.

“It will also prevent acrimony and heartache so this is a very important initiative for Scotland.

“Having access to this information will make a real difference by helping properties from falling into disrepair and will lead to better maintained, good quality and warm homes for everyone.”

George Redmond, the city council’s jobs and the economy spokesman welcomed the launch of the new website.

He said: “As Glasgow’s factoring commission discovered, there is a real thirst among owners for authoritative information that helps with practical decision making.

“The vast majority of owners are constructive in the way they manage their responsibilities and are simply looking for the best way to fulfil them.

“The Under One Roof website offers a single, reliable source of information that will point owners in the right direction and ultimately help improve the standard of homes and other properties across the country.”