Examples of Clan Gordon Maintenance

The following cases illustrate aspects of our approach to maintenance -

Example 1 - One Bedroom Flat in Gorgie

Faulty Gas Hob - the tenant reported that 3 of the hob burners were not working.

What would you do?

1. Instruct local gas repairer to attend for a call out of £45 + VAT. They attend and call to tell you the hob needs replaced. They can buy one for £149.99 + VAT and install it at no further charge.
   Total cost to landlord £233.99.
2. Know the hob is old and worth replacing. Order a low-cost gas hob online at £129.99 plus delivery and fitting of £71.49 and maybe even £10.16 for removing and recycling the old one.
   Total cost to landlord £211.64.
3. Visit the property on your way home, check the hob yourself and establish that it is indeed very old, quite rusty and most of the control markings have rubbed off. Call the landlord and get their permission to buy one for no more than an agreed cost you can see at Comet and have it installed. Collect one for £99 + VAT under your own Trade Account from Howdens between viewings. Arrange for the gas engineer to collect from the office and install for £45 + VAT.
   Total cost to landlord £172.80.

If you answered 2, you could be an employee of the second largest agent in Edinburgh but only if you add a charge of £100 + VAT for organising the job, making the total cost to landlord £331.64.
If you answered 3, you could come and work for Clan Gordon.

Example 2 - Two year old new build at East Pilton Farm Crescent, Near Fettes

Faulty Dishwasher and Washing Machine - the tenant reported that the dishwasher was not taking in hot water and the washing machine was not finishing its cycle.

What would you do?

1. Instruct Gorgie Appliances to attend for a call out of £45 + VAT per appliance. They attend and discover that the dishwasher, being a modern one, only takes in cold water and heats it internally. This is tested and it works fine. They also discover that the washing machine filter is blocked, preventing it from draining. They clean it and it works fine.
   Total cost to landlord £108.
2. Being less than two years old, you know it's unlikely they are both faulty so you arrange to stop in and have a look. If they are faulty, you also know that appliances are the responsibility of the builder to fix for the first two years. You discover that the dishwasher. being a modern one, only takes in cold water and heats it internally so you test it and it works fine. You also discover that the washing machine filter is blocked, preventing it from draining. You clean it and it works fine.
   Total cost to landlord £0.00.

If you answered 1, you would only be doing what many letting agents and even landlords would do.
If you answered 2, you could come and work for Clan Gordon.

Example 3 - Traditional Flat in Annfield

Leak through Bathroom Ceiling

What would you do?

1. Instruct your plumber to attend, who charges a call-out of £35 + VAT. He opens the hatch in the ceiling and discovers there is a leak from the flat above. He tries knocking on their door but no answer. You try and get hold of the neighbour yourself by writing to them and also asking the tenant below to try getting hold of them when they are in. A few days later the neighbour calls in and agrees to arrange a plumber to resolve the leak which they do. As it's a small leak, the ceiling dries and no further work is required.
   Total cost to landlord £42.
2. It's on your way home, so you stop in to have a look yourself and can see the leak is coming from above. You manage to catch the neighbour in a couple of nights later and they agree to arrange a plumber to resolve the leak which they do. As it's a small leak, the ceiling dries and no further work is required.
   Total cost to landlord £0.00.

If you answered 1, you would only be doing what many letting agents and even landlords would do.
If you answered 2, you could come and work for Clan Gordon.

Example 4 - Traditional Flat in Stockbridge

Faulty Electrics - the new tenant reported that, every time they switch it on, the kitchen light makes a very loud buzzing noise and a clicking sound comes from the fuse board.

What would you do?

1. It sounds quite serious, so you instruct an electrical contractor, who charges £35 + VAT for call outs, to attend and assess it. They discover the new tenant has put a low energy light bulb in a fitting with a dimmer switch. Dimmer switches do not work with most low energy light bulbs. They change the bulb and charge £1.50 for the bulb.
   Total cost to landlord £43.80.
2. It sounds quite serious, so you leave the office to visit the property. As soon as you see a low energy bulb on a fitting with a dimmer switch you know what the problem is. You change the bulb for free and advise the tenant.
   Total cost to landlord £0.00.

If you answered 1, you would only be doing what many letting agents and even landlords would do.
If you answered 2, you could come and work for Clan Gordon.