Wed 21 Nov at 5.30pm - Property repair and maintenance event at ESPC

We are clearly not the only ones facing the issue of managing common repairs, so this free event at the ESPC on George Street might be of interest:

and remember our own next BSORA meeting is on Sunday 25 November 2012 at 5pm.

Property repair and maintenance event

Date: Wednesday 21st November

Venue: ESPC Showroom, 85 George Street, Edinburgh

Reception: 5.15pm

Speakers:5.30pm-6.30pm

Surgery and Q&A:6.30pm-7.30pm

Free event - refreshments provided

 

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.

Full details on ESPC website: http://www.espc.com/news-events/events/property-repair-and-maintenance-event

Next BSORA Meeting: Sun 25 November 2012

Hello all,

This is just a reminder that our next meeting is due to take place at 5pm on Sunday 25 November 2012, again at the No 11 Brasserie and Hotel  (11 Brunswick Street).

The primary purpose of this meeting will be to review the quotations from contractors that DM Hall are currently gathering on our behalf.

So that we can properly advise Ella of numbers, please could you let me know (before 5pm on Friday 23 November) that you intend to attend.  

Kind regards,

Catriona

Call for builders to be included in invitation to tender

Hello all,

Just a quick reminder to say that if anyone has a particular building contractor that they would like to be included in the 'Invitation to Tender' that Greig Adams of DM Hall is currently preparing, then please get in touch.  For example, we have already had one suggestion to include Boltons who have previously quoted for some work.

Before he draws up the scope of works to be offered, Greig has been up again this morning to have a quick check to see if there have been any significant changes to the state of the roof/chimneys etc since his Full Building Survey conducted in November last year.

He hopes to make sure we get all the quotes back in good time to circulate before our next meeting on 25 November 2012. 

Thanks,

Catriona
for
BSORA  

Outcome of Meeting on 23 September 2012

Dear all,

Firstly, many thanks to all those that took the time to attend our meeting on Sunday 23 September 2012 and to contribute towards our shared goal of maintaining our property.

Many thanks must go particularly to Ella at the beautifully refurbished No 11 Brasserie and Hotel for the use of the facilities and warm hospitality.

I am pleased to say that we managed to agree a final version of our Constitution which is now posted on this site, along with the Meeting Notes (Thanks Kate, for getting those done so quickly).

This means that we are now in a position to proceed to open a bank account to manage our shared payments.  This will happen within the next few weeks.

The BSORA members present agreed unanimously to appoint the professional services of DM Hall, who have now been asked to proceed to Stages C&D under their Scope of Services.  This includes preparation of a brief and documents for tender to put out to various contractors so that they can provide us with comparable quotes to undertake the work identified in the Building Survey conducted last year.  

This stage is now under way and will cost approximately £800 + VAT (i.e. about £70 per property).   Please note that payment for this is likely to be required towards the end of October 2012. 

It is hoped that at our next meeting in November we may be in a position to agree what work we will get done and when, and how much it will cost so that we can appoint contractors and be ready to start the work in the spring.

If anyone does have any further questions or comments please do let us know, and in the meantime we will aim to keep you posted here.

Thanks,

Catriona
for
BSORA

Fire Safety - Be Stair Aware

We recently had a visit from the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service reminding us to be 'Stair Aware' and to make sure that we all not only have working smoke detectors and fire alarms fitted, but that we each also have a plan of escape in the event of a fire in another part of the building.  You can access an Escape Plan Leaflet here.

If you hear an alarm or suspect Fire, dial 999 and ask for 'Fire', giving as much information as you can.

If you would like a Free Home Safety Visit they will happily come and offer further advice and if necessary install a free smoke alarm.  Call 0800 169 0320.

Their website provides lots of other relevant Home Safety Advice.

The leaflet they posted also reminds us that it is an offence* to store combustible materials in a common stairwell.   (*under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982)  

Although I thankfully don't think this is a big issue for us, this might be a good time to remind ourselves to keep both the stair and the access to the garden clear, so far as possible, of obstacles like bicycles, lawnmowers etc .  If you know you have something potentially blocking safe access, please consider your neighbours and relocate it to a safer place  (For example bikes could perhaps be stored on the outside of the railing, to hang over the well.)  

Thanks.

Catriona

 

Opportunity to Comment on The New Shape of Edinburgh Council's Property Conservation Service

In preparation for our next BSORA meeting being held on Sunday 23 September at 5pm, I have been checking the current position with the council.

It would appear that they have finally concluded that the current arrangements do not work, and are now seeking public consultation (open until end October 2012) on how it should be redesigned.

This is our chance to comment!

You can see full info here:

Property Conservation Redesign - consultation on a new service:
 http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/1028/improvements_and_repairs/1807/property_conservation_redesign/1

and New Proposals for maintaining private properties :   http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/1028/improvements_and_repairs/1807/property_conservation_redesign/2


How can I take part in the consultation?

You can fill out a web survey

You can e-mail your views to propertyconservation.redesign@edinburgh.gov.uk

If you have any other questions, require assistance with the survey or would prefer to respond via a FREEPOST written form call 0131 529 4594/4632.

Please do take advantage of this chance to comment!

Interesting Channel 4 Documentary

I saw this documentary on Channel 4 recently that resonated.

Although we are not leasehold, we currently face many of the issues highlighted.

Worth watching if you get the chance.

Dispatches: Property Nightmare: The Truth About Leaseholds

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/4od 

8 PM Mon 20 August 2012 C4  Duration: 27:03

 

The economic downturn has made buying property outright more difficult than ever but our obsession with home-ownership has led three million of us to choose the apparently cheaper option: leasehold properties. But purchasing a home in this way can come at a cost, leaving those owners vulnerable to excessive and unfair charging, to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds.
Dispatches reporter Morland Sanders investigates allegations of private landlords, councils, and housing associations overcharging leasehold homeowners for housing works and maintenance, which in some cases are also claimed to be unsatisfactory and unnecessary.
With complaints and cases disputing costs on the increase, Dispatches investigates the government's reluctance to impose greater regulation on the leasehold sector, which is making two and a half billion pounds a year in service charges for maintenance and repairs.