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!