Project Progress and Looking Ahead

Dear all,

Please find here the meeting notes from our last meeting which was held at 46 Brunswick Street on 24 November 2013.  Many thanks to all who attended.

It is with enormous relief and pleasure that I am finally able to report that we are now in a position to be able to appoint the contractors, James Breck and Sons. 

Realistically, of course, this will now happen in the New Year.  Nevertheless, allowing for time to obtain the relevant permits etc, we might anticipate having the scaffolding erected by February/March 2014 (weather dependent, of course).

This means that we can start 2014 knowing that we have made a significant step forward, and that all our efforts over the past few years are coming to fruition.

Due credit must be paid to Greig Adams of DM Hall, whose support has been -  and continues to be  - enormously appreciated.

Our next meeting will be our AGM, and this will be held at 5pm on either Sunday 26 January 2014 or 2 February 2014, subject to a suitable venue - please watch this space!

In the meantime, on behalf of all the committee, I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy (and watertight) 2014.

Kind regards,

Catriona
for
BSORA





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Reminder - Meeting Sunday 24th November 2013

Dear all,

 

Just to remind you that our next meeting will take place this Sunday 24th at 5pm.

 

As the hotel is unable to accommodate us this time round, I shall confirm the venue once I know the anticipated numbers - so please rsvp to bsora@hotmail.co.uk -  ideally with a mobile phone number!  (Joseph and Gavin, I know you already confirmed thanks).

 

The agenda, very roughly, shall be:

• Approve minutes from last time (September - on blog)
• Update on current status of the maintenance project
• Update on communication from Bank of Scotland
• Discuss plans for January AGM and possible amendment to our constitution
• Consider longer term planning for subsequent smaller projects
• AOB

As usual, we shall aim to keep to 1 hour, but if anyone has anything else they'd like to add to that please let me know asap.

 

Kind regards and look forward to seeing you,

 

Catriona

for

BSORA

The Reality of More Leaks...

.. and as if a timely reminder were ever required, as the update was just being posted, the rain is pouring into this property - with more rain forecast - reinforcing yet again how vital this work is if further damage to our building is to be avoided.

Meeting Notes and Update

Dear all,

Since our last meeting on 22 September 2013 (notes here), great progress has been made and we would like to thank you for your co-operation in getting your signed mandates back to DM Hall and payments lodged into the account.

At this stage, although we are now very close, we are still awaiting the confirmed return of just one or two more mandates and payments.  The impact of this is that we are regrettably unable to instruct the contractors just yet to start work, due to the risk that the work would not be completed before the Christmas holidays.

Every effort is continuing, however, to be made to secure these final elements so that we can proceed with this long overdue maintenance as soon as possible in the new year.  (Fingers crossed for a dry winter!)

Our next meeting is therefore proposed for 5pm on 24 November 2013, by which time we hope to be able to confirm a start date and schedule for the work.  Please rsvp your attendance here.

In the meantime, if there are any questions that have not yet been answered elsewhere on this site, please contact bsora@hotmail.co.uk.

Kind regards,

BSORA Committee

Thanks - and Congratulations to No 11

Thanks to all those that took the time to attend our meeting today.

Thanks also, to Ella and team at No 11 Brunswick Street Hotel for the use of their lounge, and congratulations on a great review in today's Scotsman.

Read it here  http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/travel-11-brunswick-street-edinburgh-1-3106151, or better still try out the new Brasserie menu for yourself.

Catriona

Next Meeting Sunday 22 Sep 2013

Dear all,

Many thanks to all those that have already signed and returned your mandates to DM Hall and made the respective payments into the BSORA account (number 10792067, sort code 802260).  

If you have yet to, please do so by this Friday 20 September 2013. 

Our next meeting shall be at 5pm on Sunday 22 September 2013. 
(NB Venue for this is yet to be confirmed so please RSVP to bsora@hotmail.co.uk and we can keep you informed).

Hope to see you there.

Catriona for BSORA

(PS Interesting to see that Gateway Apartments have now opened - and sobering to note that our own repair project has been going on longer than it has taken to build them!).

Mandates Issued and Calendar Added

Dear all,

Further to the letter issued last week, this is to confirm that DM Hall have now issued the mandates directly to each property owner, so you should receive all the documentation  from them within the next day or two.
 
As the nights are already noticeably drawing in, we need to act promptly.  Please then ensure that the mandates are signed and returned to DM Hall by the due date of 20th September 2013.

To help keep track of key dates such as this and any meetings, a calendar has now been added to this site.  The calendar can be viewed in either a small format from the main page, or there is a full page version accessed using the link to the right.  It can be set to your preference of week, month or agenda format and for your convenience, entries can be saved to your own calendar.

With everyone's timely co-operation, we should soon be in a position to tell you when the work will actually start.

Kind regards,
Catriona
for
BSORA committee

Meeting Notes from 11 August 2013

Please find here the notes from our most recent meeting, 11 August 2013.

Our next meeting is to be confirmed, as things are now moving more quickly, but it is likely to be held on Sunday 22 September 2013 at 5pm.

Post Meeting Notes from 23 June 2013

Please find here the notes from our most recent meeting held on 23 June 2013.

Our next meeting is yet to be confirmed, but is likely to be held on either 28 July 2013 or 11 August 2013. 

Next Meeting 5pm Sunday 23 June 2013

This is to confirm that our next BSORA meeting shall take place at 5pm on Sunday 23rd June 2013. 

To enable us to confirm our venue, which (subject to availability) will again be No 11 Brunswick Hotel, please confirm your attendance or apologies to bsora@hotmail.co.uk by 15th June 2013.

The Draft Meeting Notes from the last meeting on 12 May 2013 can be found here.

The following documents have also been prepared with a view to helping general appreciation and understanding about what we are working towards with this project. 

• Project Overview Presentation as at 9 June 2013
• Tender Document in excel as at 9 June 2013

We look forward to you joining us.

Kind regards

BSORA Committee

Estimated Project Apportionments - Revised

Dear neighbours,

In the course of conversations with our neighbouring association on Montgomery Street, it has become apparent that the initial estimated distribution of costs was disproportionate to the work being undertaken.

With the BSORA committee's agreement, these figures have now been reviewed and revised to more fairly reflect the respective proportions of scaffolding costs in relation to the work.

This means that the cost of the scaffolding attributable to each building has now been calculated in proportion to that building's share of the total work. (Previously, it had been based upon the proportion of each building's share of the chimney work alone).

This adjustment now gives the total estimated share for each building to be:

41-45 Montgomery Street block:                                               £8,327.97 (approx 12.7%)

46-48 Brunswick Street (&47 Mtgmy St )(i.e. BSORA block): £53,013.80 (approx 80.5%)

50-52 Brunswick Street block                                                    £4,468.75 (approx 6.8%)

 

Total estimated project cost remains       £65,810.52

Please see the sheet here for more detail:

• Revised Brunswick Street Apportionments at Building Level as at April 16 2013

and here for an edited letter which includes the revised figures and indicative timescale.

The consequence of this revision will obviously require some adjustments on a similar basis to the property level estimates, which will follow in due course.
 
If you have any questions about this in the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us. 
Kind regards,
BSORA Committee

Meeting Notes and Next Meeting Sunday 12 May 2012

It is heartening to report that the response to our recent communication proposing this work has been positive, and we do have a growing majority of owners committed to protecting their homes by undertaking these necessary repairs.

There is still a little more work to do in confirming similar majorities with our neighbouring buildings before we can determine a final schedule for the work and payments.

The committee will aim to keep everyone informed of this progress, as and when more information becomes available.

Meanwhile, the (Draft) Meeting Notes from 7 April 2013 have now been posted. You can view them here.

Our next meeting is currently planned to be 5pm on Sunday 12 May 2013 - please RSVP your intention to attend (either yes or no) to bsora@hotmail.co.uk before 5 May 2013 so that we can confirm with the hotel.

We look forward to you joining us.

BSORA Committee

Some Recent Relevant Articles

Worth a read, not least for all the comments that follow, is this article from Scotland on Sunday this week: Home buyers warned of top-floor flat repair threat

and as if we needed any further motivation to organise and act for ourselves, then there's always this to remind us: Statutory Repairs scandal: Reports to be released!

Edinburgh Council's New "Shared Repairs Service" Launched

It's been a while coming, but finally the council have announced the launch from 2nd April 2013 of their new Shared Repairs Service to replace the old Property Conservation Service.

On the whole there is not really that much new in it, although it does reinforce that the advice is generally (as mentioned at the ESPC events) to do exactly what we have been doing, i.e. to work together in the common aim of protecting and maintaining our shared building.

You can read more about it at the links below, and then we could perhaps have a brief chat about reactions to it at our next meeting on Sunday:

News Blurb: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/1185/new_property_repair_advice_service_to_begin

More details: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/1028/improvements_and_repairs/1959/advice_and_help_for_shared_repairs

Thanks,

Catriona

ESPC Free Landlord Events 26/7 March 2013

 

I appreciate this is now quite short notice but as many of us BSORA members are either existing or potential Landlords, I thought these ESPC events next week, on 26/7 March 2013, could be of interest in making sure we are up to speed on all our current obligations:


Make the most of your investment whether you are a landlord, or are thinking about becoming one.

Come along to ESPC's tailored events for expert advice and information, to make sure your investment works for you.

ESPC are holding two events with a number of excellent speakers covering topics for those in the Scottish rental market.

Full details here: http://www.espc.com/news-events/events/landlord-event

In the meantime, many thanks for the positive responses received so far with regards to our common repairs proposal.  If you have any outstanding queries before you send us your reply by 2nd April, please contact bsora@hotmail.co.uk and we'll do our best to respond.

Thanks,

Catriona
for
BSORA  

Recent Uploads and Next Meeting

Following our last BSORA meeting held on 24th February 2013, the draft minutes can now be viewed here.

Further to the letter that you should all have received (copy here) two sheets have been prepared outlining in a little more detail the estimated apportionment of the costs:
 
- one is to 'building' level, showing how the totals have been shared between the three blocks,

- and the other is focussed specifically on our own arrangements for sharing the costs between the 14 properties that are arranged in 3 vertical groups in our own block.

We hope these summaries are helpful in answering any questions you may have about this proposed project and are looking forward to receiving your positive responses by 2nd April 2013 enabling us to proceed with this essential repair work. 
 
Our next meeting will be held at 5pm on Sunday 7th April 2013, venue to be confirmed.

Please email us at bsora@hotmail.co.uk with your response, and either your apologies or intention to attend the meeting.

Thanks,

Catriona
for
BSORA

(Update 13 March 2013: Apologies - there appears to have been an error in accessing the documents.  This should now be sorted but please let me know if you need help viewing them - thanks. Catriona)

Edinburgh Council Property Conservation Redesign

Most of you will by now no doubt be familiar with the issues affecting the City of Edinburgh Property Conservation Department. 

You may also recall being invited to contribute (here) towards a consultation that they held last year on how the service should be redesigned going forward.  Several options were proposed, none of which really offered a satisfactory solution, and this is reflected in the comments within the responses received, which are documented here.  I'd encourage you to have a look - it actually makes for some interesting reading! 

In the meantime, based on these results, the council are about to issue some new guidance from April 2013.  See current details here - http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/1028/improvements_and_repairs/1807/property_conservation_redesign.

So - watch this space!

Edinburgh Statutory Notice report reveals £27m gap

This article on the ongoing Edinburgh Council Property saga was featured on BBC Newsnight Scotland on Tuesday evening, which you might catch on the BBC iPlayer - or read it here - and perhaps ponder a moment on just how lucky we have been to have had such a narrow escape!

That said, we do still have a long way to go to get our own repairs done, so please let me know that you will attend our next meeting scheduled for Sunday 24 February 2013 at 5pm by RSVPing to bsora@hotmail.co.uk by this weekend.

Thanks.

Catriona   

Thur 28 Feb 2013 - Property Repair and Maintenance Event at ESPC

As mentioned at our AGM last week, there is another of these FREE Property Repair and Maintenance Events taking place along at the ESPC in George Street on Thursday 28 February 2013 at 5.15pm.

I attended the November version of the event and it was certainly very interesting in getting a better understanding of some of the more technical and detailed aspects of our responsibilities and what we are dealing with, as well as reassurance that what we are doing is indeed the correct way to proceed.

I'd really encourage you to attend - book here: 

Catriona
for
BSORA

****************

Living in a tenement?

Have you considered the best way to maintain the communal building in which you live to protect your property from damp or other such problems, particularly during the winter months?

Or worry about how to go about fixing repairs on your shared building now that the council's statutory notices are no longer issued? Is there funding available for your property?
Come along to our free event where you can speak to knowledgeable professionals who can put you on the right track.

Property repair and maintenance event

Date: Thursday 28 February

Venue: ESPC Showroom, 85 George Street, Edinburgh

Reception: 5.15pm

Speakers:5.30pm-6.45pm

Surgery and Q&A:6.45pm-7.30pm

Free event - refreshments provided

 
About the event

Hypostyle Architects has worked with homeowners for many years providing a professional service to help them repair and maintain their properties.

ESPC has teamed up with Hypostyle to host a Property Maintenance Event to provide homeowners with the tools required to assess their building's condition, and demonstrate how to carry out repairs and ensure correct maintenance of their property. This means you don't have to worry about any sudden large bills dues to degrading buildings.

Speakers

We have five excellent speakers who will each talk for around 10 minutes:

Jo Parry, Conservation Architect, Hypostyle Architects

Learn about the importance of repairing properties and advice on how to get started.

Fiona McDonald, Edinburgh World Heritage

The grant aided projects available within the EWH site.

Graeme Millar, NFRC

Advice on best roof repair practice.

Alex Stark, Stone Federation

Identifying defective stonework and the process of its repair/replacement.

Dorothy Hoskins, Historic Scotland

Advice on appropriate repair and maintenance, covering all key areas of your building and the HS Inform guides available to help.

Simon Roberts, Scottish Government

Fundamental information on the Tenement Act, encouraging owners to work together with their neighbours.

After the speakers

Mingle and talk to the experts who can answer any of your specific questions or concerns, plus pick up information packs. In addition Edinburgh World Heritage will be there on the night who can provide details regarding any funding available for the preservation of selected properties in and around Edinburgh.
Perhaps you fancy learning more about building maintenance so that you can spot any potential work before it gets worse.

Book a space at the free event

For information about the event or to book a space contact Jo Parry of Hypostyle at conservation@hypostyle.co.uk or call 0131 555 0688.
Places are limited so book fast to make sure your home is protected over the winter!

Post Meeting Note - 27 January 2013

Many thanks once again to all who attended and contributed to this evening's AGM.

(Thanks to Ella and the team at the No11 Brunswick Street Brasserie and Hotel for accommodating us again.  They are now open for coffees, lunches, afternoon teas and evening meals!).

 

For information, I have now uploaded the following: 

• Updated Tender Document with 4th contractor's return added (received 11 January 2013).
• Questions presented to DM Hall from 18 December 2012 
• Chair's Report 2012
• DRAFT Meeting Notes from our meeting this evening (please let me have any comments or corrections to these as soon as possible before next Sunday 3 February 2013). 

In summary, we agreed unanimously that our preferred contractor would be:

• James Breck Roofing & Building Contractors Ltd – http://jamesbreck.co.uk

Further information will now be sought from DM Hall on certain aspects of how we proceed from here, with a view to preparing draft correspondence for our neighbours to be reviewed at our next meeting.

This will be on Sunday 24th February at 5pm. 

Please RSVP your attendance YES or NO to bsora@hotmail.co.uk before Saturday 16 February 2013.  

With thanks,

Catriona
for BSORA

Notice of BSORA AGM - 27 January 2013

The very first

Annual General Meeting

of our Brunswick Street Owners' and Residents' Association (BSORA)

will take place on

Sunday 27 January 2013, at 5pm

in the No 11 Brunswick Street Brasserie Hotel.

The Owners of each of the 14 properties within the building at No 46 Brunswick Street are, as automatic members, invited to attend in person or to send a representative on their behalf *.  

All residents within the block are also very welcome to attend, and to contribute to the discussions, although they shall have no voting powers*, unless they are appointed as the Owner's Representative. (To see the full details of the BSORA constitution, click here.)

At this meeting, in addition to electing (or re-electing) a committee for 2013, we will be discussing the quotations that have now been received from various contractors for the work to be undertaken to repair and maintain the building.  The basis of these quotes was the full building survey undertaken by DM Hall in November 2012.  All of the relevant documents can be viewed on this blog, here. Please take time to familiarise yourself with them before the meeting.

A decision will then be taken as to which contractor to appoint, and as per the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004, the majority vote will rule.   

It is hoped that by then we will also be able to share the details of our new BSORA Bank Account, along with guidance on how payments may be made into it.

Tea, coffee and other refreshments will be available, so to ensure we are able to accommodate everyone, please confirm your attendance by emailing  bsora@hotmail.co.uk (BSORA) before Sunday 20 January 2013. 

If you have any questions, or issues that you would like to be included in the agenda, please email BSORA as soon as possible, and ideally no later than Saturday 19 January 2013.

Regards,

Catriona
for BSORA

(*Each property carries one vote which may be cast either by the owner or their representative. Please note that in cases of shared ownership there is only one vote, and any representatives must be confirmed as such by the owner in writing prior to the meeting).