Tenement and Common Stair Painting in Edinburgh
A clean, freshly painted stair makes every flat in the building feel better cared for, and it's often the first thing a buyer or tenant sees. We paint common stairs, closes and entrance halls in tenements across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Getting the neighbours on board
In a tenement, the common stair is owned by all the flat owners together, so decisions are normally made jointly. Repainting the close is usually organised like other common repairs (often called shared repairs in Edinburgh): the owners agree the work and share the cost. Most title deeds require a majority of owners to agree. Where there aren't clear rules, the Tenement Management Scheme provides default ones. Often the hardest part of a stair repaint is simply getting everyone to agree, and we try to make that easy:
We'll come and look at the stair with one owner or a few, and give a clear written quote you can share with everyone
We're happy to answer neighbours' questions by phone or email
We can talk through colour options and leave sample patches for owners to see
Working with factors
If your building has a factor or property manager, let us know when you get in touch, and we'll talk through how the quote, timing and access should be arranged. If there's no factor, one owner can act as the point of contact for the rest of the stair.
Splitting the cost between owners
The cost is usually shared between the flats according to your title deeds, often in equal shares. Our written quote can be shared with every owner, so everyone can see what's included.
What we paint in a common stair
Every stair is different, but a typical job can include:
Walls and ceilings of the stairwell, landings and entrance hall
Dado rails, skirting, handrails and banisters
Flat entrance door surrounds and frames (owners' own doors by arrangement)
Meter cupboards, the area under the stair and the main entrance door
Railings, the back-green door and, where agreed, windows on the landings
Where there are original features, such as tiled dados, cornicing or cupolas, we'll protect them, clean around them and agree in advance whether they're painted or left as they are.
Keeping the stair usable
Residents still need to get in and out, every day. So we:
Work in sections, flight by flight, so there's always a clear route
Protect stairs, floors and handrails, and keep walkways free of tools
Use clear signs for wet paint and low-odour paints where possible
Tidy up at the end of every day and give residents a timetable in advance
Tenement exteriors and windows
The outside of a tenement is usually shared too. We also paint tenement exteriors and sash and case windows, and owners often organise these together.
Frequently asked questions
Do all the owners need to agree before the stair is painted?
Usually most of them do. Common stairs are jointly owned, and your title deeds normally set out how decisions are made, often by majority. Where the deeds are silent, the Tenement Management Scheme provides default rules. We can't give legal advice, but we can provide a clear written quote and answer neighbours' questions to help you reach agreement.
How is the cost split between the flats?
That's set by your title deeds and is often an equal share per flat. Our quotes are free, and every owner can see what's included. The price depends on the size and height of the stair, its condition, the repairs needed and the surfaces to be painted.
Can residents still use the stair while you're working?
Yes. We work in sections so there's always a safe route in and out, keep the stair clear of tools and materials, and put up clear wet paint signs. We'll give residents a simple timetable before we start, so everyone knows which parts are being painted and when.
What if our building has a factor?
Tell us when you get in touch, and we'll talk through how the quote, access and timings should be arranged. If you don't have a factor, one nominated owner can act as the point of contact for the rest of the stair.
How long does it take to paint a common stair?
It depends on the number of floors, the height of the stairwell, the condition of the walls and how much repair is needed. A typical stair is usually a matter of days, not weeks. We'll give you a realistic timescale in the quote and keep residents updated as the work moves up the building.
Will you paint over the original tiles and features in our close?
Not unless the owners want us to. Original tiled dados, cornicing, cupolas and decorative plasterwork are part of what makes Edinburgh stairs special. We protect them, clean carefully around them, and agree with you in advance exactly what will be painted and what will be left as it is.
Get a quote for your stair
Send us the address, how many flats share the stair and whether you have a factor. We'll arrange a free visit and a written quote you can share with your neighbours. Call or text us on 07514 665726 or email info@edinburghpaintingspecialists.com.