Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Some Guidance on Understanding Who is Responsible for What

It is understandable that some of us may be feeling somewhat perplexed at working out who is responsible for what in terms of the repairs currently being proposed, and so the following illustration and links may be helpful:


  • This diagram clarifies that the ROOF is 'scheme' (i.e. shared by all in a building), and the CHIMNEY STACKS are 'mutual' (i.e. shared by all those properties directly connected to it).



If anyone else comes across any good clear resources, please let's share them!

Catriona

Monday, 26 September 2011

Brunswick/Montgomery Street Property Repairs - Notice of Work

Brunswick/Montgomery Street Properties
(Note: this is a copy of what was handed or posted through doors on Monday 26 September 2011, and emailed to those who had provided contact details)

Dear Neighbours,

Further to our communication in February/March of this year with those of you in the 46/48 Brunswick St /47 Montgomery block, we promised to keep you informed of progress.  

For those of you in adjacent buildings, i.e. 43/45 Montgomery Street, and 50/52 Brunswick St, we would like to first of all say hello, and trust that you will be as keen to protect your homes and investments as we are. (We note that you have been proactive in this already as evidenced by the current scaffolding.)

To enable easier communication between us all, you are all invited to subscribe to follow a blog that has been set up. This can be found at http://brunswickstreetblog.blogspot.com/ . (If you click on the 'subscribe now' link on the top right hand of the page, the instructions are self explanatory. If you choose to get updates by email, you may simply have to activate it from a link that will be sent to you automatically).

After some considerable effort, we have now finally managed to obtain some quotes for repairs to the roof, following several incidences of damp and leaks to top floor flats, particularly John Whyte's (now Andy Anderson's) at 3F3. 

The most comprehensive of these was from Bolton's, and is attached (or can be viewed at Brunswick Street Blog (BSB)). Simon Saffery (owner of 1F1) accompanied Mr Bolton on his inspection and kindly took several photos that you can now see on the BSB.

As you will see, much of the detail of the quote refers to the mutual chimney stacks as it is here that the work is really required rather than the roof itself. To make it easier to know which particular chimney stack is being referred to, it is suggested that we start at the top with A&B (i.e. Brunswick Street Mutual) and work clockwise round the edge of the building (C&D on Brunswick Street side, E&F on Montgomery Street side) to G&H (Montgomery Street Mutual).

In terms of where responsibility lies for different repairs such as this, please refer to the tenement act (attached or can be viewed at BSB). This highlights that for repairs to Chimney Stacks, the costs are shared between ALL the properties that share each stack. In the case of those stacks that are shared with neighbouring buildings, the costs then would be shared as follows:

i.e. A&B are shared with the 50/52 Brunswick Street building, and G&H are shared with the 43/45 Montgomery Street Building). 

Therefore, taking the Bolton Quote:

The first Stack referred to:

Front Right Hand Mutual Chimney Stalk to Brunswick Street (10 Vent): would be A&B (Or specifically B)

With 10 stacks, this would be shared between the 10 properties that use it, namely:

1F1, 2F1 & 3F1 46 Brunswick Street, as well as 48 and 48a Brunswick Street PLUS

1F3, 2F3, 3F3 (presumably) in 52 Brunswick Street, as well as 50 and 50a Brunswick Street.

The ESTIMATE for this work is £5,514.00 + vat, so would be £551.40 + vat per property.


The second referred to:

Front Left Hand Mutual Chimney Stalk to Montgomery Street: would be G&H (or specifically G)

With 10 stacks, this would be shared between the 10 properties that use it, namely:

1F3, 2F3 & 3F3 46 Brunswick Street, as well as 47 and 47a Montgomery Street PLUS

1F1, 2F1, 3F1 (presumably) in 43 Brunswick Street, as well as 45 and 45a Montgomery Street.

The ESTIMATE to carry out these works is £5,725.00 + vat, so would be £572.50 + vat per property.

The third referred to is:

Rear Left Hand Mutual Chimney Stalk to Montgomery Street: G&H (or specifically H)

This appears to have 7 or 8 stacks so:

Total ESTIMATE to carry out the required works is: £7076.00 + vat, so would be approx £1,010.00 +vat per property

Please note that these are ESTIMATES and as slating is counted as roof work this would be deducted from each quote for chimney work and, as per the tenement act, would be the responsibility of all properties in the 46/48 Brunswick Street/47 Montgomery Street building (i.e. divided by 14).

We would like to progress this work as soon as possible to ensure we are watertight for winter (as if summer hasn't been wet enough!) and propose 28 days notice before formally instructing Bolton's to proceed. If anyone would like to discuss this please contact us.

Your neighbours, including:


Simon & Sharon Saffery

Alan Duff

Andy Anderson

Lesley Johnston


23 September 2011


Friday, 23 September 2011

A Narrow Escape....

You may be interested to learn more about our narrow escape:

BBC news article about the Corruption claims against Edinburgh council officials

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-14965150 

and

Scotland's Property Scandal  - as screened on BBC2 on Tuesday evening.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b0154z83/ 

BBC Scotland Investigates allegations of wrongdoing and corruption in the City of Edinburgh Council.

With council staff suspended and a police investigation under way, reporter Fiona Walker hears from homeowners who feel they've been ripped off after their housing repair bills have rocketed. Edinburgh is proud to have some of the most beautiful and important architecture in Britain but could the very system that is meant to be saving the city's buildings actually be the Capital's next shame? The programme examines Edinburgh's multi-million pound housing repairs system and hears claims that people have been left with massive debts.

The programme also reveals that the council - already dogged by the trams fiasco - could be facing a legal bill of tens of millions of pounds.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Neighbour Notification ref Demolition of Gateway Theatre 11/02696/FUL

Hopefully everyone will have received a copy of this through their door, but I thought it might be a good idea to post it here.

Planning has been submitted for the demolition of the old Gateway Theatre at the back of our block.

It can be viewed online here : http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LQ4A9UEW7N000 

Or in person at the counci����� �����=�������������������0���0830-1540 on Fri).

http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/portal/submissions.do?action=ViewPublicCaseDetails&applicationRef=11/02696/FUL .

We have 21 days from the date of notice (19th August 20110 to comment, either online or in writing.  In other words if you have something to say you have until 9th September to say it.

Rhones

Thanks to Andy Anderson and his brother, who both went up on the roof at the weekend and removed a bucketful of sludge and debris from the poor overworked gutters, particularly from the Brunswick Street corner over Alan's flat.

Much appreciated, Andy.

Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Quotation for roof work from Bolton Roofing 29/06

Apologies for the formating but the following is the quote for the roof works from Bolton roofing;

bolton
2 Albert Road
Edinburgh, EH6 7DP
Tel / Fax:0131 555 4055
Email: enquiries@boltonroofing.co.uk
www.boltonroofing.com
Managing Director: R. Bolton
VAT REG NO.783511326
Ref: HB/LM
Mrs Saffrey
46 Brunswick Street
Edinburgh
EH7 5HY
28th June 2011
QUOTATION

Dear Mrs Saffrey
Re: Repairs at 46‐46a‐48‐48a‐50‐52 Brunswick Street & 47‐47a Montgomery Street.
To attend site to carry out the works detailed below:

Front right Hand Mutual Chimney Stalk to Brunswick Street (10 Vent):
To erect scaffold access tower including walkway & scaffold around the chimney with ladder
access & boarded where required.
All to comply with current Health & Safety Regulations.
Render Works:
To cut off entire rendering, bag & remove debris from site.
To soak chimney, apply 1st coat cement, lime, sand mortar scored to form key.
To apply 2nd coat mortar floated smooth & lined to resemble stone work.
Lead Works:
To supply & fit new code 6 lead water gate to one side only of the chimney stalk.
To cut chase , then supply new code 5 lead cover flashing to water gate.
To re‐point chase using polysulphide mastic.
Slating Works:
To strip down slating at the chimney stalk abutment, lay slates aside to re‐use.
Upon completion of new Watergate installation, to re‐slate using slates previously laid aside.
Total cost to carry out the above works: £5514.00 + vat

Front Left Hand Mutual Chimney Stalk to Montgomery Street.
To erect scaffold access tower including walkway & scaffold around the chimney with ladder
access & boarded where required.
All to comply with current Health & Safety Regulations.
Render Works:
To cut off entire rendering, bag & remove debris from site.
To soak chimney, apply 1st coat cement, lime, sand mortar scored to form key.
To apply 2nd coat mortar floated smooth & lined to resemble stone work.

Lead Works:
To supply & fit new code 6 lead water gate to one side only of the chimney stalk.
To cut chase , then supply new code 5 lead cover flashing to water gate.
To re‐point chase using polysulphide mastic.
Slating Works:
To strip down slating at the chimney stalk abutment, lay slates aside to re‐use.
Upon completion of new Watergate installation, to re‐slate using slates previously laid aside.
Total cost to carry out the above works: £5725.00 + vat

Rear Left Hand (‘L’ Shaped) Mutual Chimney Stalk to Brunswick Street:
To erect scaffold access tower including walkway & scaffold around the chimney with ladder access
& boarded where required.
All to comply with current Health & Safety Regulations.
Render & Cope Stone Works:
To seal off all fire places applicable to the vents to prevent soot & rubble damage.
To take off chimney cans, lay aside whole cans to re‐use.
Demolish & remove chimney copes.
To reform same in granolithic cast insitu with whole cans & new cans if required set within.
To cut off entire rendering, bag all debris & remove from site.
To soak chimney, apply 1st coat cement, lime, sand mortar scored to form key.
To apply 2nd coat mortar floated smooth & lined to resemble stone work.
Lead Works:
To supply & fit new code 6 lead water gate to one side only of the chimney stalk.
To cut chase , then supply new code 5 lead cover flashing to water gate.
To re‐point chase using polysulphide mastic.
Slating Works:
To strip down slating at the chimney stalk abutment, lay slates aside to re‐use.
Upon completion of new Watergate installation, to re‐slate using slates previously laid aside.
Total cost to carry out the above works: £7076.00 + vat


If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Assuring you of our utmost attention at all times.
Regards
H Bolton
for Bolton Roofing Contractors Ltd

Monday, 25 April 2011

Bolton Roofers Inspection Pictures

Hi all. Pics of roof attached. Waiting for estimate, meanwhile:

 Mr Bolton Advises that the roof is fine, problem is mainly with Chimney breasts above John's flat Pics 001, 003, 004.  Notice where the chimney meets the roof.  Mortar has just been added and added. This needs to be removed and replaced with either cement/mortar or better still a lead watergate. see pic 010. This is part of the roof so everyone is responsible for this cost. There is a lead watergate on the other side of the chimney breasts both on Montgomery and Brunswick St. However, there is a hole in the top of the roof on the other side so not in pic but located behind two chimneys in pic 008. John should be aware of coping as seen in pic 011. That's the chimney above John's Kitchen.

Chimneys above Alan Duff's flat are in better condition, pics 002 and 005.  Only one needs the rendering fixed and even that isn't urgent. However the cement / mortar is cracked and will need replacing soon. Mr Bolton said that the cement/ mortar need replacing every eight years approx. as opposed to the lead watergate which has a much longer life span. Other chimneys are fine.

Will forward estimate as soon as we receive. You can also look at Bolton's web site for more info. http://www.boltonroofing.co.uk/index.html

Hope this makes sense.

Sharon

001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 013