Contractor Of The Year Award

The Contractor selected for the Contractor of the Year was Mike from MHS Plumbing. Mike has been a fantastic sub-contractor who has proved that he his willing to go the extra mile.

Mike has been called upon to do a variety of jobs over the past year and at a variety of times. No job is ever too much hassle. Always happy and helpful whatever time he’s called out. Mike has attended jobs within 10 minutes of being called. He is prompt, polite, reliable, efficient and tidy in his work. He likes a good wee chat so we are always fully informed of the work he has done and that is excellent for us!

If that wasn’t enough, he’s also got a good sense of humour and we make him use it! Sorry girls he’s happily married to Gene.

Mike was happy to hear that he had got the award and his response was “Oh Barry!”. Camera shy he is so we had to track him down for his picture on the street.

As well as the award, mike also got a Goodie Bag.

The Decision

.We have many excellent tradesmen that we subcontract. They are all exceptionally good at what they do and we value the relationship we have with them. As with Tenants we have to select just one for the award.

We considered their reliability, ability, customer focus, feedback given to us and from customers. We also considered flexibility when dealing with call outs and the type of work we had given them over the past year. Mike, was the best all round for 2008.

Keep it up Mike cause there are already some serious contenders for 2009!

Angela Muir
2 February 2009

Tenant Of The Year

The Tenant selected for this award was Elaine Clayton from Peffer Bank. Elaine has proved herself to be an exceptional Tenant over the past year and we are proud to give her this award.

Elaine had a very difficult year with regards to maintenance. Elaine moved into a new build property and experienced a very difficult time from the Developer, Aspect Scotland Ltd (now Whinstane LLP) and his contractors. Elaine had to work very closely with her Property Manager to deal with snagging issues and defects.

Despite moving into a luxury apartment, the standard of workmanship within it was exceptionally poor. The Developer, Derek Stephen, has even refused to put right damage caused by his contractors. When asked to deal with the damage he attempted to blame Elaine for it. He now refuses to discuss the outstanding issues and says as far as he is concerned the matter is closed.

Had Elaine not worked so closely with her Property Manager we wouldn’t have been able to determine who was actually liable for the damage caused. Well Done Elaine!

Elaine has not only been rewarded with the Award, she also received a bag of Goodies. As she is such a valued Tenant we have given her a new Tenancy in another Luxury Apartment; built by another Developer. I am pleased to say she is exceptionally happy in her new home.

The Decision

We had two main contenders for the 2008 Tenant Award. One was Angie, living in Niddrie and the other was Elaine living in Peffer Bank.

Both Tenants proved to be reliable, both for community living and paying rent. Neither had any complaints made against them and they paid the correct rent and on time. They both also showed that they were supporting Abacus property by referring Tenants to us.

When both were nominated the deciding issue was how they had dealt with maintenance. Angie hadn’t had any maintenance issues raised which was a potentially a good signal that she was looking after the property well. Elaine was the complete opposite constantly raising maintenance issues. This was also good as Elaine had taken on a new build property and was dealing with snagging. We where impressed by her understanding of maintenance issues, also the need to have them reported so they could be dealt with.

The deciding factor was maintenance inspections at both homes. We conduct regular maintenance inspections to ensure that maintenance is being dealt with. It’s really important that even small issues are addressed before they have a chance to become a bigger problem. An example is reporting the failure of the Extractor Fan in a bathroom. Failure to report this can result in damp damage to the property which can be very expensive to put right. It can also lead to health problems for the Tenant.

Because Angie had failed to report several small issues for maintenance we felt that we couldn’t award her the Tenant of The Year Award.

Elaine was exceptionally chuffed to hear that she was selected for the award. When presented with her Award Certificate and Goodie Bag her response was a great big smile and “Cheesing!”.

Well Done Elaine!

Angela Muir
2 February 2009

Thanks To All Our Good Tenants

Thanks to all our tenants that kept their Rent Accounts up to date, paying their rent on time and not falling into arrears. Also for their community spirit and keeping the peace with their neighbours. Finally, for looking after their homes.

As a thank you from Abacus Property all our good tenants were rewarded this year with a tin of luxury biscuits and a bottle of wine. This gift is a discretionary one and your Property Manager makes the decision of entitlement.

As a guide we adopt a flexible approach with regard to complaints and some maintenance issues, however, anyone who is in arrears with their Rent at the time of the decision would automatically be excluded from the gift.

We appreciate the support you, as tenants, give us!

Angela Muir
2 February 2009