Millcroft & Greenrigg Flats

Thanks owners who have responded and helped towards the cost of grass cutting. The grass in front of their closes has been cut and the litter picked. There are still 3 closes whose grass is uncut, litter, poo and other things strewn across it. Owners,please step up to the mark and pay your share to keep Millcroft flats grass tidy. The council will not be buying any flats till late 2022 to mid 2023 . The CPO has not even been submitted to Scottish Government and after that has happened the process will take 12-18 months before payouts start. This is the information from North Lanarkshire Council staff working on CPO.

7/4/2021

Grasscutting

grasscutting has begun. Greenrigg owners, Millcroft Odds owners and some of block D (2-74 flats) Millcroft Evens pay towards keeping their grass litter picked and cut. There are no owners in Block E (flats 76-204B) who pay towards the cost of grass cutting or litter picking. Brexit and Covid lockdowns have brought difficult times for many and sadly the decision has been made not to continue cutting the grass in front of block E Millcroft unless enough owners pay the small amount asked. The amount of work and time owners and tenants from Millcroft Odds and Greenrigg flats have given to itterpick in front of Millcroft Evens flats ( to date, near 150 bags of junk taken off ) and tame the grass after decades of neglect, will all be thrown away. Flat owners need to realise their responsibility does not end at their flat door: owners are also responsible for the upkeep and keeping tidy all the common areas eg. around the bins, the grass, the steps, the closes, but not garages or in front of garages. Garages are the responsibility of whoever owns that garage. If flat owners together cannot go and keep the area tidy themselves, they have to pay someone to do it for them. That is their responsibility.

If owners decide to take up the offer to cut the grass and litterpick the grass in front of their Millcroft Evens flat , they need to let us know quickly because if not cut, the grass goes out of control.

There is also an abominable pig living in close 80-94 or below who thows used sanitary towels, excrement in bin bags, used nappies, food waste and tioletries out the windows onto the grass below. It is stomach churning. Will all landlords in this close and courtyard firmly remind tenants not to throw stuff out the window. It does not magically disappear. It means that everyone passing sees their filth. If anyone knows who this person(s) are, please let us know. Suspect it is the flat with the missing smoke alarm

Some junk dumped in the grassed spaces between the blocks has been there a long time and become home to - something else

31/3/2021

Apex Property Factor

Update The police have sent a report on Apex Property Factor (Christine Bakhshee and Neil Cowan) to the Procurator Fiscal. For owners who were targeted, persecuted and robbed, it is not over.

GMFRA letter to MSP Jamie Hepburn:

Jamie Hepburn MSP has replied:

26/3/2021

Council Housing Register Application forms

The residents association have spare application forms for North Lanarkshire Council housing register. If any Millcroft flats tenants still need to register, please email for an application to be delivered. The council have recommended early registration to avoid delays.

25/3/2021

firstly, Big Apology to all who did not receive a reply or acknowledgement to their questions and news about the flats. The email account was not being monitored for some time.

Leaking Roofs

Many, many closes have puddles of water when it rains. The cause is usually broken/cracked glass panes on the roof or clogged gutters, or both. Some closes like 1-15 Greenrigg Flats are in a desperate state. This close has at least 9 missing, leaking points on the roof. There is no landing light. The bare electric cables are directly under a hole in the roof. A nightmare for the tenants on the top floor. And there are tenants.

Both landlords and owner-occupiers in all the closes need to be willing to fix problems in their close. The boarding up of the bare electric wires in 1-15 Greenrigg will only cost around £20 to hire a handyman. The residents association can help with a piece of plyboard. The roof repair, and gutter clean and possible replace of the broken gutter on the grass side of 1-15 Greenrigg might cost around £1000.

The cost of any common repairs has to be shared by all the owners who share the roof space. Any owner who takes on the task of organising such a repair must bear in mind it is likely only some owners will be willing to pay a share; some owners will ignore any request for money so the money for the repair will likely be short. One owner in Greenrigg flats, for months, has been trying to organise a roof repair in her close to stop the water coming into the flats. Other owners in the close have not replied or supported her appeal for a shared cost, which means the repair has not been done and the person in the top floor flat, where the water was worst, moved out and the building is left damaged with water coming into the flats.

North Lanarkshire Council state they no longer offer any emergency repair order facility and will not help with any repairs on private flats or buildings

If tenants have issues with water coming into their flat contact your landlord who has a duty to provide safe, warm and dry accommodation. If landlords fail to carry out the repairs to your flat, contact the council environmental services department who help tenants having difficulty getting landlords to carry out repairs.

Broken lights in closes

Many of the closes in Greenrigg flats and Milcroft Evens Flats have broken lights. Members of the residents association have tested the broken lights in Greenrigg flats and some of the closes in Millcroft Evens flats and found in most cases it is not the light bulb, but something broken inside of the wiring of the light fitting. Repairing damaged wiring requires a qualified electrician. The cost to repair/replace one damaged close light fitting will be around £120-£150. Possibly more. If it is only needing a new light bulb, the residents association do this where there are owners who pay the monthly contribution towards costs. Landlords might be willing to repair a broken fitting for tenants.

Greenrigg 157-171 close now has fitted boards on their close entrance door. The lighting inside the close is broken, so the close is now almost pitch black inside when the entrance door is shut.

The boards on this Greenrigg close door have already been graffitti-ed

Paying to keep the area tidy

The residents association provide a fund to each street for owners to pay £15 per month towards keeping the area around their flats tidy, The money is used to pay for grass cutting in season, litter picking, gritting steps and close entrances during winter, help with removing dumped junk and garbage, small repairs where possible, bush and tree trimming during spring and autumn, organising and paying for a limited number of council special uplifts, tidying closes, action to stop tenants throwing garbage out the window, going through fly tipped bags of garbage to find names and addresses of culprits, buying & spraying weedkiller in season, dog poo removal outside flats, preparing and erecting signage to discourage fly tippers ( at bin areas), litterers ( in car parking areas Greenrigg), regularly sweeping and tidying area outside closes and courtyards ( for those who pay into their fund).

This is a small amount of money asked from each flat owner to help keep the area tidy. When owner-occupiers in Millcroft move to a new Sanctuary Housing flat, Sanctuary's monthly service charge is around £40-£50. Owners will also face a possible increase in council tax. Tenants in Millcroft who move to council or housing association accomodation will also have to pay a service charge as well as their rent . This year if MIllcroft Evens owners wish to have the grass cut and the bushes trimmed, litter picking in the garden areas, please pay the meagre charge of @ £15 per month like other owners to keep the good work we have already achieved in Millcroft Evens flats. It would be sad if Millcroft Evens owners let the grassed area return to the terrible mess it used to be before. The residents association cannot keep paying for the grass upkeep if owners themselves don't bother. Owners can email for the payment details to keep your area tidy.

For the owners in Millcroft Evens who do pay monthly, the flat entrances have been tidied recently, a new door handle on 40-54 , the pot hole at the top of the steps and the dangerous slabs reported to NLC for repair. Happy days.

BEFORE AFTER

24/3/2021

Fly tipping in flat closes has reached new levels. Landlords' tradesmen and tenants have made closes a dangerous fire risk. Fires kill. Fires ruin lives. This is the sorry state of 80-94 Millcroft Evens flats

Regardless of who dumped the items, the owners of the close, stairs, landings and outside the entrance door ie. the landlords and any owner-occupiers, have the legal responsibility to dispose of the dumped junk. Closes and stairs must be kept clear as it is the only fire escape. One way to help avoid a fire risk is if landlords make it clear to their tenants, they are not, under any circumstances to leave items in the close especially carpets.

Update: the items on the ground floor have been removed ( but not very far)

Greenrigg Flats Bin Areas The problem of dumped items and fly tipping is ever going on. North Lanarkshire Council, quite rightly, will not clean it up because the rubbish is on private ground that belongs to flat owners and not the council's responsibility. The dumped junk is the responsibility of the owner of the ground where it is dumped. eg. If it is dumped in front of a garage it is the responsibility of whoever owns that garage, whether landlord or owner-occupier to properly dispose of it. If junk is fly tipped in garden areas as at the far end of Greenrigg, it becomes the responsibility of all the owners in that block to have the junk removed. That is the long and the short of it where the responsibility falls for getting rid of the junk. Dumped rubbish and fly tipping will not stop once it is cleaned up. Owner-occupiers need to be vigilant and tackle it as soon as it appears and Not Ignore It! If junk is ignored, more junk surely follows.

Dumped rubbish bags beside the bin - Please do not ignore it, put it in the bin. Owner-occupiers in Greenrigg have to learn to self-soothe and not expect somebody else to do it for them if they wish to have a reasonably clean & tidy bin area. Landlords who own flats in Greenrigg or Millcroft, please pay your share to fund cleaning up the junk, grass cutting, litter picking, bush and shrub trimming, weeding, and much more to make this a better place for your tenants. Please use the address at the top of the page to get the details. Thanks

4/3/2021

CPO update from North Lanarkshire council: the council remains committed to progressing plans to acquire and demolish Millcroft flats. However, this is a complex project requiring significant levels of public funding and with a number of risks that require to be worked through between the council, sanctuary housing association (the delivery partner who are also contributing funding to the project) and Scottish Government. While work has been progressing in the background on the Statement of Reasons to support the CPO, we have still not yet finalised the legal agreement with sanctuary housing association as we need to agree respective responsibilities and how we share various risks inherent in the project. Until we have this agreement in place we cannot serve the CPO notices and therefore we have been reluctant to commit to providing further dates to owners and residents. The council will ensure that communication is issued to all parties as soon as possible to provide an update on the current position.

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Meanwhile spring is arriving in Greenrigg & Millcroft

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20/2/2021

Winter weather brought out some local heroes clearing the snow. Both owners and tenants took a turn.

Sadly the grit ran out and residents were left with icy steps & paths

Fly tipping has been rife, the worst culprits being businesses and landlords' handymen

This pile is outside 85 Greenrigg

174 Millcroft Evens flat missing window has finally been boarded up

Broken Garage 6 Door Millcroft Evens Flats

Will the owner of this garage (directly below flats 40-54 Millcroft) please see to the repair of the the door. Thanks

Before

After

a storage heater full of bricks that was lying in one of the closes, was flung over the railing from Greenrigg walkway breaking the bin below outside 209Greenrigg #ShamefulBehaviour. The broken bin was reported and NLC have replaced it.

31/12/2020

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas

Happy Hogmany. 2021 will bring a new type of normal. Virtual pubs, meetings, work parties. The internet plays a vital role in keeping us functioning as a society. If you know of anyone in Greenrigg or in Millcroft flats who doesn't have internet and would like to get online let us know.

Millcroft Odds flats still use the original bin sheds. The shed doors have been labelled with the flat numbers they are for. Owner occupiers, in Millcroft Odds flats, please do not remove the labels. Many new tenants do not know where to put their garbage and unless they see the notice, some will leave garbage on the walkway or use others' bins. It is well known many long-time owner occupiers hate having to share closes & courtyards with landlord's tenants and can be spiteful. It is in all owner-occupiers in both Millcroft flats Odds & Evens streets to keep the area as tidy and clean as possible by discouraging fly tipping, garbage dumped in the bushes.

The new Sanctuary flats at Burns Road are due to be completed late 2021 and owner-occupiers will want the best price for their flats when they are valued. The scruffier the street, closes, walkway, grass looks the less money owners will be offered. Please help keep the place tidy by showing or telling newbees in the flats where their close bin is kept.

Landlords

It is a criminal offence in Scotland Not to register with the local council if you are a landlord in the area. We found a few unregistered landlords, one in particular who was also not carrying out repairs leaving one tenant without a toilet and only partial heating, and another with bathroom leaks causing water ingress in the flat below.

Burst Drain

The clogged drain behind 198B-204B Millcroft Evens has been cleaned out and the smelly stream of muck has dried out. Scottish Water had argued it was a blockage above the manhole and the responsibility of the owners. It was quite obvious it was coming from the manhole and not nearer the flats. But it has now been fixed. Thank God.

The number of residents in both Millcroft and Greenrigg flats throwing junk out the window is getting to epic proportions! Resident in flat 73 Greenrigg is still throwing bags of used cat litter out the window and other bags of rubbish. Another has been throwing beer cans across the grass in front of Arnold Clark showroom. Others throw their old vegetables & fruit. Do they realise someone has to go and pick up their mess!!

Enough moaning. Have a peaceful and prosperous New Year to all

9/12/2020

we organised a scrap metal collection for this afternoon for both Millcroft & Greenrigg flats. 2 cookers, 2 washing machines, 2 metal bed frames, 1 storage heater frame (no bricks). For anyone in the area who needs to get rid of washing machines, tumble driers, cookers and any other metal scrap or has got stuff sitting in their back garden,

Thieves in the area.

Christmas is coming and thieves are on the prowl. Please make sure you don't leave anything of value out, however small: it is likely to disappear.

Resumption of GMFRA Meetings

The funds for the zoom meetings have been awarded from Comic Relief. We are still waiting to receive the funds. I am hoping for a meeting before Christmas. If not certainly early in the New Year

Compulsory Purchase Oder on Millcroft Flats

Our contact at private housing section of the council, Kate O'Connor is retiring. Our new contact for information is Natalie Henry. We are hoping to invite to our zoom meeting an owner-occupier from a previous CPO in Cumbernauld high rises who can perhaps tell us what it was like for them. Also NLC have confirmed owners will def. NOT be able to rent out their new Sanctuary Housing flat. The timescale when owner-occupiers shall move to the new flats is dependent on when the new flats will be ready. On my last visit, contractors were busy preparing the site ground at Burns Road.

A few of the owner-occupiers have requested being rehomed outwith the area. This is being considered. However the property has to be a new-build to meet the Scottish government criteria for financing.

Managing the common areas

To keep the area in a reasonable appearance, regular litterpicking, junk removal, close tidying, leaflet printing, landlord notifications of unruly tenants, particularly those throwing garbage, residents problems in closes/courtyards dealt with, disposing of junk ( that we can't get into the bin). The list goes on & on. We need owners support by paying £15 per month to cover the running costs and also, for Greenrigg flats, a share of their own close's repair bill.

Some owners in particular landlords have stopped paying. This means there is less money to fund the essential monthly tasks. In some cases, particularly in Millcroft Odds flats, the cleaning of the gutters was widely supported by owners, but the few owners who ignored their share of the costs leave the organiser short in her own pocket. For the small amount of the shared cost that was asked of each owner, shame on them who greedily kept the money back for themselves.

Greenrigg flats owner-occupiers who have tried to rally others in their close to fund a roof repair face the same problem. A small amount of money from each owner (around £60) means the flats can stay dry and their property value kept. At the moment there is a number of Greenrigg flats with water running down the side of the walls because the gutters need cleaned.

Also if anyone knows who is the landlord of flat 73 Greenrigg, please tell your tenant to stop throwing garbage out the window including cat litter and empty cat food pouches. We know it is them cos we have proof of address.

22/11/2020 Meetings to resume on zoom

Hope everybody is well and managing through the Covid restrictions.

I apologise for not putting up any news for some time. Coronavirus not only affects people physically but also mentally.

There is no new news to report on North Lanarkshire CPO process. Their projected time for the first CPO notice to be served on owners is mid 2021. Owner occupiers will be offered a brand new 2 or 3 bedroom flat at the new Burns Road flats. Presently builders are still clearing the ground at Burns Road ready to lay the foundations. Other options for owner-occupiers are a cash price for their flat or a cash price plus rent a flat from Sanctuary Housing. The council have recommended tenants in Millcroft flats get on the housing list early so when they eventually have to move, tenants will be in a better position to be offered acommodation. Landlords have pointed out it will be years away before the flats are emptied out and landlords compensated.

Millcroft Evens The new Fire Chief in Cumbernauld has encouraged the council to remove the junk dumped in Millcroft Evens, and get rid of the old bin sheds and provide more street bins. It seems to have made a difference to the tidiness of Millcroft Evens street.

Much to the annoyance of many, there are 2 or 3 "throwers" opening their living room window and throwing their garbage out onto the grass. Identifying what flat it is coming from is a problem and often means raking through bags of garbage to get the name and flat number. Throwers tend to be careful to remove their details but over time they will get careless and that is when we catch them.

There is sewage running from a manhole behind 198B-204B flats and it has got worse. It is very difficult for residents to reach their gas top-up meter behind the sewage stream. The smell wafts across the area to flats in other closes. Scottish Water have refused to help, saying the blockage is before the manhole drain cover. SEPA refuse to help. North Lanarkshire Council refuse to help. They all say it is private property and the responsibility of the owners. So, sorry guys, tried to help but no-one willing.

On a brighter note, this year saw 3 wild garden areas within the lawns in Millcroft flats with swathes of yellow and blue flowers. Hopefully we will be able to do the same next year

Millcroft Odds flats has now completed all the gutters cleaned. Thankfully most owners paid their share. One or two didn't which meant their share of the costs had to be borne by others.

Before:

The dangers of leaving close cupboards stuffed full of flammables is obvious. This cupboard had bags of logs, shell suits and lots more just waiting for a match

This summer we weeded & tidied the kerb edge from Millcroft Odds to the main Carbrain Road. Looks a lot better, though weeds grow quickly again

Residents in Millcroft Odds have been busy feeding the birds this year . Anyone passing can see the feeders hanging from various tree & bushes. The feeders have attracted many different types of birds from tits, starlings, blackbirds, thrushes, robins and even big woodpigeons. Sadly there has been a thief who stole the bird food from outside a door in a courtyard and even stole a bird feeder.

Late Autumn and the leaves are already off the trees. That means the courtyard areas need swept and the last grass cut of the season.

The money owners pay in to fund our work in managing the flats goes towards not only grass cutting, but replacing lighting, close cleaning, weeding, bush trimming, the constant bin clean-ups, ink & paper for close notices and letters to owners, stamps, lawnmower servicing, litter-picking, and owner's individual requests for repairs/maintenance, dealing with dumped rubbish, which means sifting through it to find a name & address, dumped cars, and much more.

Greenrigg flats

noticed this lovely little garden tucked away in a courtyard

18/3/2020 GMFRA Meeting cancelled

Due to ongoing coronavirus issues in Scotland, this month's GMFRA meeting is cancelled. Hopefully our next meeting on Tuesday 19 May will go ahead. Will keep you all posted!

This month a number of naughty tenants in Millcroft Evens and Greenrigg were caught throwing stuff out their flat window. Fly tipped rubbish bags were opened & gone through for names and addresses .

The nappy thrower in block 57-67 Greenrigg has been at it again. If anyone can help find the culprit who has a wean in one of the flats on the left hand side, please let us know. Email address at the top of the page.

New door closing mechanisms have been fitted to many of the Greenrigg walkway entrances. Some of the doors have also been cleaned and/or painted and new perspex door panes fitted.

With coronavirus rampant in Scotland, keeping common door handles as germ free as possible is important. The virus can live on surfaces for up to 4 days.

26/2/2020

North Lanarkshire Council have sent out another letter to Millcroft Flats owners. The council still have not applied to ScotGov for the CPO, and say they intend to submit the application summer 2020. Kate O'Connor says the external survey report on the flats is not yet complete and is not ready to give GMFRA a copy ( apparently they are waiting for costings on repairing the flats).

Previously, staff at Private Sector Housing told owners it would take 2 years from the time the CPO application was submitted to the government to the time it was authorised, allowing for any objections from owners and the time ScotGov to hear those objections.

In the latest letter from the council, they have shortened the timescale to 1 year to achieve their CPO with the first CPO notice served on Millcroft flat owners late summer 2020 . In my opinion, the snails pace which NLC have worked on this project suggests the CPO application will not be submitted until months after their new estimated time, and as their new timescale does not include owners objections, please think more on 2022.

Every time I phone the Private Sector Dept of NLC for an update, Kate O'Connor tells me they have been very busy having lots of meetings with Sanctuary Housing, though she never mentions why they need all those meetings. There is a difference between productive time spent and simply faffing about

30/1/2020 GMFRA Meeting tonight

GMFRA meeting this evening Baptist Hall Greenrigg Road 7.30pm

Wild and windy this afternoon, hope to see a few willing to come out to the meeting. Lots to discuss including repairs for Greenrigg flats BLOCK A, repairs Millcroft Odds Flats BLOCK C, the reappearance of Bakhshaee&Cowan as KLEAN KUT Ltd

23/1/2020

this morning saw Hacking & Paterson 🙄 Property Factors lettering flats in Millcroft touting for business. Their reviews on Google are dire (1.5 stars), the latest review from someone named Hass "Didn't give me the option to give them less than 1 star but since moving into my property their main priority is how to fill their own pockets. What for a bit of grass cut? And no other work ever done "

, Although it sounds a tempting price, please do not encourage them. They have not said what work they might do for the money and owners have had enough of hassle from a property factor they did not appoint.

14/1/2020 APEX PROPERTY FACTOR

The Scottish Ministers hereby give public notice of removal of the property factor named below from the Property Factor Register under section 8 (1) of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 (the “Act”). Apex Property Factor Limited 46 Eastside Kirkintilloch G66 1QH The date of removal was 10th April 2019. Apex Property Factor Limited appealed to the sheriff against the decision by the Scottish Ministers under section 8 (1) of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 to remove them from the Register from 10th April 2019. This appeal was unsuccessful. As such the relevant date under section 9 (2) of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 is 10th January 2020. Accordingly after 10th January 2020: • No costs incurred by the property factor in respect of work instructed after 10th January 2020 are recoverable ; • No charge imposed by the property factor which relates to a period after 10th January 2020 is recoverable; • Homeowners may appoint new property factors (or decide to manage their properties without appointing a property factor) in accordance with the procedures made in relation to such decisions in their title deeds or, as the case may be, the tenement management scheme; and • The property factor may not lodge a notice of potential liability for costs under section 13 (1) of the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 11) in respect of work instructed after 10th January 2020 • A Public notice confirming the removal will appear in the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, Clydebank Post, Irvine Herald, Kirkintilloch Herald, Kilmarnock Standard, Motherwell Times, Paisley Daly Express and Glasgow Herald on 22nd January 2020 and in the Hamilton Advertiser on 23rd January 2020.

Tuesday 18/12/2019

GMFRA meeting on 5th December was lively and a bit #heated. The promised external report on Millcroft flats common areas was not ready as promised. Checked with the surveyors contracted to do the survey in August and they confirmed they had not completed the report yet but said it was a very thorough report detailing each close, outside brickwork, roof state, garages etc. So, the council say the CPO application to ScotGov has also been delayed. Whatever council workers say, the application for the CPO has not been submitted and so there is no certainty that the council will get all 3 blocks to demolish (but it is likely).

Greenrigg Flats

13 closes have been checked for lighting faults and repaired where possible.

2 closes have had replacement door handles fitted.

Closes have all been cleaned, some repeatedly due to dirty workmen fitting insulation, in particular the workmen with the orange van who lied about removing their rubbish and cleaning up, left a pile of rubbish beside the bins, dirty closes and stairs, and left the flat owner dismayed at the mess in her flat! The insulation company I have had some dealings with are ecosave. They seem to be reasonable with no complaints as far as I know and the workmen did clean up after.

Residents who leave items in the close will be asked to remove them. It is a serous fire risk. 4 bales of loft insulation were removed from 1-15 close. They had been lying at the bottom of the stairs for some weeks. We had failed to contact anyone on the ground floor who might be able to help us trace the owner. There were more bales of loft insulation at the bin area. A few days ago, a gang of girls attempted to set fire to the bales of insulation in close 1-15. The bales were immediately removed and disposed of.

Throwing items out of he flats windows is a problem in 2 closes. We are concerned that the tenant in 163 Greenrigg has been consistently throwing dog poo out the window along with stuffing from furniture. His neighbours said the dog barks for almost 12 hours at a time and they have not seen the dog being walked. The grass in front of his flat is now so bad it cannot be walked on.

Dirty toddler nappies are being thrown out from a flat window in 57-67 , either flat 57 or 61 or 65. There is a number of other items thrown out including cake packets, and other wrappers. It has to stop.

December and weeds are still growing on Greenrigg walkway. We have zapped the weeds outside flats but left the weeds on the viaduct part between the two blocks of flats. The walkway is the council's responsibility. They have been neglecting the area and it needs brought to their attention! The area adjacent to Greenrigg has been kept neat and tidy by NLC but for some reason as soon as one enters Greenrig walkway there is serious council neglect. Just to recap: the three streets of flats pays just under Half a Million £s council tax each year, far more than a row of terraced houses in Kilbowie, yet Kilbowie area is kept neat and tidy while Greenrigg walkway is forgotten.

notice how the council have treated weeds on Kilbowie bridge to Greenrigg yet at the exact spot that Greenrigg walkway begins they have left weeds untreated. The council are spending money on Kilbowie but not on Greenrigg

Millcroft Odds

new door handle on bin shed 21-35. Door mat stolen from 69-83. If anyone sees a large dirt barrier mat suddenly appearing in their close please let us know.

Millcroft Evens

a tenant in 40-54 asked for close lighting. It is very dark in there. Unfortunately after testing the lights, there is something wrong with the fuses or wiring and needs the attention of an electrician. Owners of flats in 40-54 need to arrange close lighting for their tenants.

A number of tenants in the area are throwing bags of rubbish onto the ground below 136-150 close. Residents in the Link housing opposite have tackled one woman and her daughter for throwing rubbish onto the ground, but the culprits just shrugged their shoulders. NLC need to focus their CCTV on this area to stamp out the problem.

So, all that remains to be said is, have a very happy Christmas.

Upcoming Residents Association Meeting

The next GMFRA meeting will be on Thursday 5th December at 7.30pm Greenrig Baptist church hall. A representative from North Lanarkshire Council will be present with the external survey report on Millcroft flats ( part of the council's preparation for their Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO))

Report from Community Police on crime in the area.

Updates on both Greenrig and Millcroft Flats goings on ( good and bad)

Tenants are welcome to come along for help with any issues regarding landlords, neighbours, close repairs.

Saturday 16/11/2019

New Bins and dog poo signs on Greenrigg Walkway. This has been a long time coming and has been chased up by Councillor Willie Goldie.

This gorgeous bush on Greenrigg walkway is covered with winter berries #stunning

2 Millcroft Odds flats closes and the courtyards below have been rewired for new lighting thanks to a kind hearted electrician. Closes 21-35, 53-67 and courtyards 17 and 49 now have lighting. Thanks John

It is in every owner's interest to help keep the blocks of flats in good order and manage repairs. The value of the flats depends on not only how good the flat looks inside but also how well the common areas outside have been maintained. One of the simplest things to maintain the closes is to make sure faulty light bulbs are replaced and residents are not left in the dark. Neglected closes are a magnet for drug dealers and vandals. Owners please regularly check close lighting and replace faulty bulbs as necessary. Don't let neglect cause your property to devalue and your tenant move to somewhere better.

Greenrigg walkway this afternoon.

Royal Mail postmen are still dropping elastic bands in closes, on stairs, on the walkway, in fact everywhere they go! Have asked them personally to stop it. Have complained twice to the manager at the depot. Have complained to Royal Mail online. Yet it still goes on. Does anyone has any suggestions how to get postmen to stop this infuriating practice?

Tuesday 8/10/2019

North Lanarkshire Council have confirmed the first CPO notice to owners of Millcroft Flats will be issued early 2020 as the application proceeds through ScotGov. There are a number of owners who have been trying to sell their Millcroft flat without success. The threat of the CPO hangs in the air. However there is a process called blight where owners who have been unsuccessfully trying to sell their flat can force the council to buy the flat now. NLC claim they have decided not to buy any flats until the CPO is finalised but the process of serving a blight notice on the council will in my opinion take precedence over any internal decision NLC staff may have made. See details from Shelter Scotland:

you may want to apply for a blight notice if:

• • your home is in or near a housing renewal area where homes are to be demolished

  • your home is subject to a compulsory purchase order (CPO) and you want to move away, but the CPO process is moving very slowly.

  • You should be able to apply for a blight notice if:

    • • you own your home, and

      • the council or another public authority is planning a development in your area, and

      • your home is subject to a compulsory purchase order (CPO), or is likely to be subject to a CPO in the future, or

      • you can't sell your home on the open market because of the development, or

      • the value of your home has dropped significantly because of the development, or

      • your home will be badly affected by the planned work, and

      • you can't get the authority to agree to buy your home voluntarily.

      • To serve a blight notice, you need to fill in a standard form, which you can get from the council or authority.

        • Talk to a solicitor if you're in this situation, as blight notices are not easy to get. Your solicitor will be able to:

          • advise you on your options

          • send the authority the blight notice on your behalf

          • agree a good price for your home

          • negotiate compensation

          • carry out the legal conveyancing work involved in selling your home.

        • Once you've sent a blight notice to the council, it has to let you know within two months whether or not it will buy your home, and if not, why not.

        • If the council doesn't get back to you within two months, the blight notice will go ahead automatically and the council will have to buy your home.

      • If the council refuses to buy your home without good reason, you may be able to appeal to the Lands Tribunal - you can find out how to apply at the Lands Tribunal website. Talk to a solicitor before you apply - they will be able to tell you if it's worth pursuing your case.

      • You may be able to claim a home loss payment when you move out, but the council won't have any duty to rehouse you, so you'll have to find a new home yourself.

GMFRA Meeting update

Update on the Millcroft Flats CPO will be available with an estimated timescale of events.

Updates on crime figures will also be available from Police Scotland Community Police.

GMFRA Meeting Thursday 10/10/2019 Baptist Hall 7.30pm

For those who are not sure where the meeting hall is across from the car park at the far end of Greenrigg, on the corner. There is also disabled access.

This Thursday's meeting will have demonstrations and information for residents in Millcroft and Greenrigg flats from St. Andrew's Ambulance on how to save a life - CPR, what to do if someone has stopped breathing, been stabbed, or choking or overdozed on drugs, or broken a bone, and more. Knowing can make the difference.

Also there will be a talk for Greenrigg owners on funding for building repairs from Co-operative member.

Please come along and support the meeting.

Friday 6/9/2019

article on BBC news about residents facing a buyout of their homes in South Deans Livingston. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-49599988

The Livingston area is akin to Millcroft flats situation and face a CPO. Some owners who have spent money improving their property refuse to sell saying the money they have been offered is not enough. Most of the other owner-occupiers and the tenants have moved out leaving the area boarded up like a ghost town. The council refuse to offer any more money to the owners. Although some owners' homes are beautiful and well kept, the South Deans Livingston area looks like a disaster and has seriously affected property prices.

It is wise to keep Millcroft Flats common areas as clean and tidy as possible so that the value of property in the area does not get any worse and NLC do not have an excuse to offer rubbish money.

Bins are emptied twice a week. Smaller items left lying about or dumped in the street or walkway can go in the bin, to landfill. Larger items can be disposed of on a special uplift at a cost of £2.50 per item - see residents association contact details: gmfracumbernauld@gmail.com

SCAM ALERT!

just had a phone call from a man pretending to be from the national grid saying he was going to give me refund on my electricity bill and asking for my details. Rumbled him though, and he hung up.

15/8/2019

Reminder GMFRA meeting tonight Greenrigg Baptist Hall 7.30pm

All flat owners, whether a landlord or a owner-occupier, and all tenants welcome. Come and have your say. Lots to discuss, especially North Lanarkshire position on demolishing Millcroft Flats and how owners can help safeguard their flats' value and how tenants can get a head start by registering for accommodation with the council. Forms will be available to take away at the meeting tonight.

There will be a short talk from the Fire service about how residents and landlords can stay safe from fire in the blocks.

15/7/2019

New dog poo signs have been put up on Greenrigg Walkway. We are waiting to hear from North Lanarkshire Council about bins also on Greenrigg walkway.

A mattress and bed base dumped in close 105-115 in Greenrigg has been removed. A cigarette lighter and shell suit was found wedged between them - a quick way to start a fire. Furniture left in closes is a dangerous fire hazard. It only takes one foolish person to strike a match or flick a lighter to put residents' lives at risk.

Residents Association Meeting

Next GMFRA meeting Thursday 15th August 7.30pm. Baptist Hall Greenrigg.

There will be housing applications available for Millcroft flats tenants who wish to register with North Lanarkshire Council in preparation for the Compulsory Purchase Order.

The residents association is here to serve the flats community, owner-occupiers, landlords, and of course tenants. All are welcome.

Our new trolley has been put to good use this week moving dumped items to bins and to special uplift points.

Outside Millcroft 2,22 entrance got a makeover

80-94 also got a close entrance clean-up

Some wild trees on Millcroft Evens Grass that were blocking light from the flats behind them, have been cut down.

Apex Property Factor

From the Property Factor Register /Scottish Government today:

"Apex Property Factor Limited have appealed against a decision by the Scottish Ministers under section 8(1) of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 to remove them from the Register from 10 April 2019. The decision under appeal does not prevent Apex Property Factor Limited from continuing to operate as property factors until such time as the appeal is concluded. A procedural hearing in the appeal has been fixed for 8 August 2019 and it is not yet known when the appeal will be concluded...."

Ah well, looks like we're in for another long wait (yawn).

9/7/2019 Scottish Government v Apex Property Factor

the court date for Apex property factor appeal against the Scottish Government decision to remove their licence is Thursday 11/7/2019 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, reference EDI-B379-19 Looks like Neil Cowan will be representing Apex property factor cos there is no solicitor named on Apex details.

Think Neil Cowan will use his old ploy that he used at the HPC FT and call for an adjournment and waste court time saying he has papers he wishes to submit, but really has nothing.

Here's hoping for a good outcome

1/6/2019 Saturday

Carbrain and Hillcrest Community Council held a BIG LUNCH at Millcroft Primary School

Fresh food was cooked onsite and with a dry day, eaten AlFresco.

#Summertime.

GMFRA Meeting Thursday June 20th 7.30pm Greenrigg Baptist Hall

All Millcroft and Greenrigg Flats owners and tenants welcome. Application forms will be available for Millcroft flats tenants to get on the housing register prior to the CPO on the flats.

Apex Property Factors have again started. Phoning and pestering owners in Millcroft. If owners are contacted by them, please remember to ask for your money back, all of it.

29/5/2019

This evening there was a North Lanarkshire Council open evening for owners and residents in Millcroft Flats held at Greenrigg Baptist church Hall.

There was no new information from the council but a faq. sheet was given out. Also housing application forms were available for tenants to get on to the housing register ahead of the demolition. If you are a tenant in Millcroft flats and need a housing application form you can email to the address at the top of the page for one to be delivered.

This is the information NLC handed out at the open day.

Some owners who attended the open evening are expressing concern over the amount of money used as an example as the value of the flats. It is very low. It might be in owners interests to collectively employ a negotiator to make sure owners get the best price for their properties. Apparently it is common for owners in blocks of flats to do this when faced with a compulsory purchase order.

20/5/2019

Yesterday and today there was a skip in Millcroft Evens Street for a clean-up organised by Carbrain and Hillcrest Community Council and funded by the Prince's Trust. There were a number of helpers on hand including councillor Willie Goldie and members from the charity Corra as well as members of the Community Council. Sadly, the community council did not tell the residents association or the locals they were coming and it was by chance that we bumped into them.

Two of us from GMFRA managed to get rid of a good number of items left in closes in Greenrigg, Millcroft Odds and Millcroft Evens and into the skip. An owner and his son managed to get rid of a lot of stuff that was sitting about in his courtyard and outside at the entrance area in Millcroft Evens and have made a big difference in that part of the street. Millcroft has never looked so clean for a long time!

One of the areas GMFRA concentrated on was a laundry drying area that was stuffed to the roof with dumped furniture/carpets and was a fire hazard. Look forward to seeing the clothes ropes & pegs again.

While out grasscutting in Greenrigg this afternoon, had some company from a gray squirrel.

Thanks to all the owners who pay in to their fund every month. This makes managing the flats possible. For those still thinking about paying or have forgot to pay, please set up direct debit so that we can continue making a difference. It takes regular funds to pay for the litter picking, close cleaning and grass cutting. On top of that, there is the removal of dumped furniture in the closes particularly Greenrigg. It costs time and money to haul stuff out of the closes. It costs £25 a time for the council to take the stuff away. There are also other costs, like tools, dog poo spray, black bags, floor cleaner, buying close lights to replace broken ones. It is a constant cycle and none of it is free.

Some owners in the past have contributed some money but then stopped. The continual looking after the common areas does not stop. Guys and gals, we need regular funds every month so that we can budget and plan. Please remember to set up the direct debit. The owners have a responsibility to keep the common areas in a reasonable state.

5/5/2019

work is ongoing in the 3 streets. Our Greenrigg close cleaner has been off sick last week so this week will see the first of the close cleaning. Greenrigg grass has been cut end to end at the front and side.

There has been some fly tipping in Greenrigg from a car wash company. Looks like the same style of plastic drum that were dumped in Millcroft Evens, when the company responsible was prosecuted by NLC for fly tipping. If anyone in Greenrigg flats can pinpoint the time and day the drums were dumped at the far end, please let us know or report it directly to North Lanarkshire Council/Fly Tipping.

Millcroft Evens Flats bins were emptied today around mid day. A few hours later, 3 bins were completely full, 2 bins were half full. In the few hours I was working in Millcroft Evens, noticed 3 people from the Sanctuary flats opposite filling up the Evens bins. One woman from the Sanctuary flats was putting bits of wood and other non household items into the bin at the end of the street meant for Millcroft Evens flats. She told me her housing officer and also another council worker said she could use that bin. And when bin day comes again and flats residents have to leave their black bag of rubbish beside the bin cos there's no room, the refuse collectors leave the black bags sitting there cos it's not in a bin!

On a brighter note, a bit of tidying up at flat entrances.

Do you own a garage in Millcroft Flats or Greenrigg Flats?

GMFRA are trying to trace owners of garages to compile a list of garage owners. There are residents who wish to rent garages that are in good condition. There are also others who have helped themselves to garages by breaking into them. The email address is at the top of this page. Thanks

GMFRA Meeting 25.4.2019

The meeting this month was lively with about 35-40 people attending plus the committee.

Guest speakers this month were Colin Bruce, the Carbrain community projects team leader talking about the new sports facilities recently opened and asked residents for suggestions for new projects in the area. Colin also informed us that new CCTV cameras will go up outside the shop and near the school.

Councillor Goldie informed us that Millcroft will return to once a week collection and recycling facilities will be removed as the recycling is for the most part, contaminated. On questions from owners about including Greenrigg flats on the CPO, Councillor Goldie confirmed Greenrigg flats are not being considered at all for a CPO.

The meeting heard an account of the latest court case of Greenrigg owners versus Apex Property Factor. It was noted at the meeting that some owners are continuing to pay Apex Property Factor either out of ignorance that they are not appointed and there is no contract, or out of fear of the threats of Neil Cowan.

The committee introduced the new Greenrigg litterpicker and close cleaner to a round of applause.

How to get rid of unwanted furniture, and household items now that the free council uplifts have stopped. The GMFRA committee suggested that if residents cannot get rid of their items either through a charity free uplift or through the store taking away the old items when delivering the new items, residents can arrange an uplift through GMFRA at a cost of £2.50 per item.

The fire risk of furniture or mattresses left in closes is a real danger to the lives of residents. That practice needs to stop. There are already furniture and mattresses in the closes and Councillor Goldie said he will investigate what the council can do to help.

GMFRA committee member in charge of the Neighbourhood Watch, gave lots of information on how and why to join up as well as a booklet about the Neighbourhood Watch.

An update from the community police was read out.

There was a discussion about the large number of supermarket trolleys in the area mostly in bushes, behind bus shelters, and down embankments and if we could create one place to put them for collection or disposal.

Requests for more bins along the walkway and "poo" bags for dog fouling with dispensers were made. Councillor Goldie offered to look into these matters also.

The meeting was concluded.

And, the Results are in..

Greenrigg flat owners versus Apex Property Factor. Please follow the link to see the results:

HPC FT property factor decisions, Apex Ltd

According to our sources, the court decision says Apex Property Factor were not legally appointed factor in Greenrigg Road Flats. It also says the court does not have any jurisdiction to make any enforcement order cos Apex property factor are not the legally appointed factor and has dismissed the whole case. That includes all those from Greenrigg flats who joined this case and the one from Millcroft Odds who, in my opinion, might have known it has already been proved that Apex property factor were not appointed as factor in their street. There were some obvious pitfalls: the legal representative could not show or prove some of the applicants actually owned their properties ie. no title deeds were produced to prove they actually owned the properties. Of the two witnesses in one case, one had signed a mandate authorising Apex property Factor which Mr Cowan produced and that witness was a bit hazy on actual details; the grounds for this case were different from the Millcroft Odds case which was won. The panel did however give their opinion on some of the evidence brought. Think there were no expenses awarded either. Hope the owners involved can get satisfaction from it.

NEWS!

Scottish Government have decided to revoke the registration of Apex Property Factor. However the Property Factors register have confirmed that Apex property Factor have appealed the Scottish Government's decision to remove their registration. The case is to be heard in a sheriff court.

Update

Further to Mr Neil Cowan's complaint I point out that while the appeal process is ongoing Apex property Factor are still registered as a property factor. A flat owner has pointed out that the appeal process can run for a long time, with appeal after appeal. So disappointingly, Apex property Factor have not yet ended.

Millcroft Road Hub - uniting flat owners around the world in one place

10/4/2019 Grasscutting season is here again!

Millcroft Odds flats today. Neat and tidy grass.

Millcroft Evens flats owners we need the grass in front of your building to look as good as this. Millcroft Evens grass has been litterpicked 3 times recently by GMFRA committee and we are ready to start making it a lawn again as soon as owners pay in their £15 per month to their Millcroft Evens account. At the moment, there needs to be more owners paying their share to afford this. Grass needs cut every two weeks at the beginning of the season and the grasscutter needs paid.

For account details please email using either the email at the top of the page millcroftflatsnews@gmail.com or to the residents association at gmfracumbernauld@gmail.com.

Reminder residents association meeting Thursday 25th April Greenrigg Baptist church hall 7.30pm Please come along if you can.

7/4/2019

Millcroft Evens beginning to get a makeover today.

Before, covered in dirt, grass and dog poo

After, a big surprise to the residents (LOL)

2/4/2019

GMFRA meeting postponed until 25/4/2019

The meeting at the Baptist hall Greenrigg that was supposed to be on the 18th is now changed to 25th April 7.30pm Baptist Hall Greenrigg owing to church use at Easter.

10/3/2019

Greenrigg walkway gardens are looking so much better with the thorough litterpick. A big Thanks to all concerned Let's hope it stays this way.

26/2/2019

The GMFRA meeting was a success. We had about 20 or so who came along from the 3 streets. Leeann was not able to come at the last minute, so Iain McNaught kindly stepped in to chair the meeting.

Think the fact that the posters only went up a week before the meeting affected the turnout. Also the posters in Millcroft were half a page,and perhaps less noticeable. We need owners and residents to make an effort to come to the meeting in order to keep this valuable Residents Association going.

NLC reps. gave an account of where the CPO process for Millcroft flats is.( ie not anywhere at the moment as they say they are going through the whole process again from scratch but haven't actually started doing that)

Shazia from Corra charity has offered to pay for CCTV notices to go up in Greenrigg and Millcroft evens to ward off fly tippers and is active in helping find the funding to prune back trees in Millcroft odds that block out the new CCTV cameras' view.

James Collier said he is now waiting on the written decision from the HPC FT panel re Greenrigg owners v Apex property factor. He has moved to a new job with a firm of solicitors. James is optimistic of a favourable outcome and talked of a compensation claim for owners against Apex pf through his new job.

The Millcroft flats odds self-factoring group was unanimously approved at the meeting with a majority of 33 owners out of 57 owners votes for the group to manage the block 1-103 Millcroft (odds) and common areas.

The community police gave a written update on the new CCTV cameras effectiveness, saying that it has helped them solve crimes in the area. THe CCTV is run by NLC who have a direct radio link to Police Scotland incident room. The police have been very active this last week rooting out weed farms in the area. Our neighbourhood watch has contact with the community police and others to make the street a safer and cleaner place.

New committee member was voted on: Donna Fadel from Greenrigg. Donna is an owner/occupier in Greenrigg and has already been making a difference litter picking and reporting fly tipping. and getting rid of shopping trolleys. She is happy to take on the role of GMFRA secretary.

The state of Greenrigg flats common areas was discussed and the urgent need to start repairs. It was sad to learn that, like 89-103 Millcroft, there is more than one close in Greenrigg with a hole in the glass roof that water comes in through and has been doing damage to the structure of the building. The meeting also touched on other Greenrigg repairs such as repairing entrance doors where glass has been broken and the closing mechanism. A bank account has been set up for owners to provide a common kitty to start to tackle these issues. For glass roof repairs, it has been difficult to find any willing tradesmen. Roof access was discussed, and the use of cherry pickers, scaffolding. It was confirmed by NLC spokesperson, Pamela Humphries, that the council has no plans to buy Greenrigg flats. All the more reason to start looking at a program of carrying out repairs in Greenrigg. The committee will also explore if Corra charity can help fund repairs. Owners and residents need to come to the meetings though so that repairs are noted and can be considered.

Millcroft Evens Flats

Since the meeting, we have had owners from Millcroft Evens paying into their kitty. Already we have been busy removing fly tipping, general litter on the walkway and around the close entrances. There are some closes and courtyards that are kept clean and tidy. The majority of Millcroft Evens common areas are dreadfully neglected by owners and North Lanarkshire Council: walkway and garden areas full of rubbish from fly tippers and passers by; at garage areas fly tipping from landlords / tradesmen who have left baths, furniture, flooring & other materials, not to mention the dog poo in the area is like a carpet. It is sad for the people who live there and sad that owners' have let their properties be devalued. Millcroft Evens owners can change this by paying into their kitty and keep going the management of the 2 blocks in the street. with a regular weekly litter pick, reporting of fly tipping, checking closes are free from fly tipping/ furniture etc that in the past has been set fire to.

It is not just cleaning up what is there, the pile keeps growing. Clean it up one day, the next day there is a new lot of fly tipping. The 2 blocks need to be #managed.

It is not possible at this stage to introduce a property factor. It has been many years since the blocks had any factor. The best, I believe that can be done is Block management under the Greenrigg and MIllcroft Residents Association. That is litter pick of garden and entrance areas, closes checked for rubbish and action taken to remove any, notifying NLC of fly tipping and regularly checking that the council has removed it. Part of the neglect is down to North Lanarkshire council who have been slow to, or failed to remove fly tipping. This has contributed to the street becoming a target for fly tipping from businesses like the car wash company who dumped all those plastic drums. The GMFRA committee asks £15 per owner per month to keep the 2 blocks clean and tidy. Owners with 2 or more flats, we ask an extra £5 per additional flat. It all takes time to do these things and time is money.

Millcroft Evens flat owners, please email to : millcroftflatsnews@gmail.com to receive the details of the new Millcroft Evens bank account and also owners can sign up to our newsletter, detailing work done, progress in cleaning up the street and general news. Millcroft Evens owners are the ones who can make a difference for residents and improve the value of their properties.

Millcroft Odds (1-103)

With the support of owners in the street who have been paying into Millcroft odds kitty since April 2018, we have got the street to a reasonable standard. Fly tipping is dealt with as it comes, the walkway , car parking areas and front grass is regularly litter picked, bin sheds managed, ( yes, Millcroft Odds still have all functioning bin sheds) overgrown trees and bushes tackled,. This month owners have funded the closing off of open bin chutes and exposed electric wires in close 89-103 Millcroft. An owner landlord has repaired all the broken panes in 1-15 Millcroft, and part painted the close. The owners' group have purchased new dirt barrier mats for two of the closes with a third mat planned. The broken close lighting in 37-47 has been replaced with a new fitting. All these things cost money and it is with the support and funding of responsible flat owners that we have raised the appearance and safety of the street and also raised the value of our properties.( every little helps). For Millcroft odds owners who have not yet started to contribute, please contact millcroftflatsnews@gmail.com for details . Thanks.

Greenrigg Flats

The GMFRA committee plan to assess the repairs needed close by close. The outside common garden areas and close entrances need regularly litter picked. A kitty has been set up for owners to pay into so that a weekly litter pick can be funded. For details please email millcroft flatsnews@gmail.com

Happy New Year to all.

Our next GMFRA meeting is confirmed as Thursday 21st February 7.30pm Baptist Hall Greenrigg. The meeting promises to be informative and busy.

This month's guest speakers are team members from the Corra Foundation, a charity that is keen to help projects in Millcroft and Greenrigg areas. The foundation has already expressed interest in helping repair the close lighting 21-35 and 53-67 Millcroft and also repair the roof in 89-103. If owners from these closes can come along and liaise with the charity representatives.

Also we need owners and residents in MILLCROFT EVENS to come along and tell the charity members what repairs are needed in Millcroft Evens. The charity , I believe has already been in touch with owners in Greenrigg.

Updates from James Collier, the paralegal who is championing Greenrigg owners' case against Apex property factor.

Street Updates

Updates from owners/ residents in the 3 streets, on what has been happening.

Updates from the Community Police officers on the effect of the CCTV cameras recently installed, and on crime figures in the area.

Litter

There have been several complains about the disgusting litter left in Greenrigg walkway and parking areas. Also Millcroft Evens walkway and parking areas. This is not the fly tipping but the sweetie wrappers, beer cans, buckfast bottles, takeaway cartons etc etc. The answer is a regular paid for litter pick. GMFRA comittee have set up two new accounts for the purpose of cleaning up Greenrigg and Millcroft Evens walkways and parking areas, erecting of no fly tipping signs and CCTV warning signs, reporting fly tipping and general management of the areas. Owners can email for details of their street's bank account for collecting the funds. The monthly payment for owners in Millcroft Odds is £15 per month so it is reasonable to expect the same amount for both Greenrigg and Millcroft Evens

NLC progress on buying Millcroft Flats

There seems to have been some progress in the situation with North Lanarkshire Council, Sanctuary Housing and the CPO on Millcroft Flats. A representative from the Private Sector Housing at NLC will be present at this month's GMFRA meeting to update landlords and residents. Also there is to be a further external survey carried out of Millcroft flats to determine whether it is best to demolish or refurbish. Not yet clear what this will mean for us, if anything. What has been made clear is that owner-occupiers will receive a replacement brand new flat in Cumbernauld. Tenants will be individually interviewed, when the time comes, about where they wish to be rehomed. More details at the meeting.

Committee Ratification of MFOSFG

Millcroft Flats Owners Self Factoring Group now have the votes of the majority of owners in the block of 57 flats. Therefor, at this meeting, MFOSFG will seek to have the decision ratified by GMFRA committee and owners present.

Old Books and Comics collection

GMFRA are collecting old books and comics, maps, for our gala and fête stalls this year. Owners, if you have any old books, comics etc you are clearing out, please bring them along to the meeting. Landlords, if you are clearing out rental flats in the streets, let us know if there are any books, comics, maps (no smutty mags. please)

Wednesday 19/12/2018

Millcroft flats owners self factoring group have now obtained a majority vote from owners. A big Thanks to all owners who have made the effort. Over the next week or so, the GMFRA committee will meet to hopefully ratify the decision. One of the tasks after that will be to demand the return from Apex Property Factor, the money they took from owners when they claimed to be factors and to demand they stop their intimidation. Owners who have not already voted for the MIllcroft flats self factoring group and wish to, please send in your votes to the email address given or you can also send them to millcroftflatsnews@gmail.com Every owner's vote matters.

Again staff at Apex Property Factor have been phoning demanding money. It gave me great pleasure today to blow a raspberry down the phone until the Apex property factor worker hung up.

Ongoing work.

We have approached North Lanarkshire Council to provide a skip to clear away the rubbish in the 3 communal laundry drying areas and are waiting on a reply through a local councillor.

We are obtaining prices for tree pruning so that the newly installed CCTV can properly see the street and also all parts of the walkway.

The usual challenge to keep all 6 binsheds functioning and stop fly tipping.

These small improvements do make a difference to the attitude in the area with many residents and walkway users showing more respect.

Millcroft odds Owners SF Group latest work

This month we've been able to do a few repairs in the street, thanks to owners' money that supports the groups' work. We are now seeking at least 29 votes ( a majority) in favour of the self factoring group to continue the work. Owners please support us with your vote.

new fly tipping sign put up. This has been a hot spot for fly tipping so hopefully it will help deter fly tippers.

new windows at 49 & repairing of door closing. Residents at 49 requested this repair and we were able to help.

concreting the hole outside 89-103 & repairing door closing will hopefully avoid an accident. There are other urgent repairs needed in this close. We plan to do what we can. Also this month, we organised removal of graffitti from wall of 69-83, and there was the usual litter picking, bin shed checking, reporting of fly tipping, street light needing repaired etc.

Next residents association (GMFRA) meeting 15th November 7.30pm Baptist Hall Greenrigg

This promises to be a lively meeting with a visit from the community policeman, a vote on the factoring scheme for Millcroft odds, and updates from all 5 blocks plus our residents association raffle!

Voting for Millcroft odds owners factoring scheme is ongoing. Owners, if your cannot attend the meeting, please remember to cast your vote via email or post or by proxy. We need to reach a majority and every vote counts. Thanks.

Report on GMFRA meeting 20/9/2018

The meeting was packed, with about 30-40 owners from the 5 blocks.

We voted some new members onto the committee to even things up so now we have owners from Millcroft evens, Millcroft odds and Greenrigg on the committee to make sure everyone's issues are listened to.

Owners insurance was discussed briefly on how to make sure the common areas of the blocks are insured. This will be gone into in more depth.

James Collier gave an update on Greenrigg owners getting rid from Apex PF. He said the papers are now lodged with HPC FT and he will be calling owners as witnesses. He said he doesn't know which owners he will call yet but will notify them in due course.

The owners self factoring group in Millcroft odds was discussed and owners agreed they liked the work done. Greenrigg flats are to start their own self factoring group looking to going forth maintaining the common areas, grass cutting, close cleaning, litter picking. Millcroft flats evens were encouraged to start a self factoring group with the support of the GMFRA.

A neighbourhood watch scheme in Greenrigg has been started and owners are encouraged to join in. There is no charge, flat insurance can be cheaper because of the presence of a neighbourhood watch scheme. It definitely deters fly tippers, drug dealers, cannabis farmers, and thieves.

Chairperson said they have not yet got a treasurers bank account for the GMFRA but hopefully this will be done by next meeting. The intentions are to raise funds through raffles, car boot sales, participating in gala days to provide funds for letters stamps hall hire and hopefully a Christmas party!

Councillor Allan Graham attended the meeting and answered questions about Apex property factor and Millcroft flats progress on buyout. Mostly it was complaints about Apex property factor and the only news Councillor Graham said about Millcroft flats was that a council bulletin would be issued shortly. Owners complained they had not had any news or bulletin or update about the flats in many months. Rosemary Hart at the NLC private sector housing had promised an update several times claiming she was just finalising the wording before it was sent out. No update came.

Previously Ms Hart told me that the flats that had been earmarked for owner occupiers in Millcroft were no longer available. Owners tonight were saying they believed the flats were still available. Considering it will be at least 18 months - 3 years before the cpo process is finished and details finalised, properties valued etc., it is hard to imagine that those Cumbernauld flats will still be lying empty just waiting on Millcroft owners

Also seen was letters from Jamie Hepburn MSP to the head of Sanctuary Housing and a letter to the head of North Lanarkshire Council asking what provision was being made for owner-occupiers in Millcroft who will have to move because of the CompulsoryPurchaseOrder on the flats.

Brief conversation on the new police chief at Cumbernauld Police Station and how he intends to crack down on drug crime!

That's about it. 9.00pm and we all headed home.

Next meeting planned for 8 weeks time.

August 2018

The next Residents Association (GMFRA) meeting will be held on Thursday evening 20th September at 7.30pm at Greenrigg Baptist hall. Owners in Millcroft flats and Greenrigg flats please come along and join in. This is Your residents association. It is through the owners, not the council or anyone else that these flats will improve, get better tenants and property values increase. It is through the owners that we can end vandalism, fly tipping, anti-social behaviour and other problems. It is through the owners that we can get common areas repaired and block management at a reasonable level. Those in Greenrigg who have relied on Apex Property Factor take a look at their work - litter picking not done, particularly in the garden areas, but charged for fortnightly; grass partially cut at best only once a month; close cleaning not done thoroughly and only irregularly, but charged for fortnightly; insurance charged at a ridiculously over-inflated price and without effectively insuring the block common areas ( block insurance certificates should say the address of the block and not the flat address and also the share of the block that an owner is paying for eg. 1/57th).

HPC FT recent case in June 2018 involving Greenrigg owners versus Apex Property Factor regarding repairs supposed to be carried out by Apex Property Factor. Is it obvious to any wise owner that a property factor is not likely to carry out repairs unless that property factor is able to get payment from all the owners? An owner on their own, is not authorised to order repairs from a property factor in a block of flats unless there is first an agreement of the majority of owners in that block. Was an owners' meeting called to discuss it? No. In this case, only 13 owners in the block were said by Apex PF to be prepared to pay for the repair. ( Apex PF quotation of more than £2,000 incl vat). The owners' claims for damages to a door were not upheld by the HPC FT because the owner had apparently told Apex Property Factor the repair was an emergency repair and when Apex PF with the tradesman could not get access, they contacted the police to help them gain access and so the door was damaged. HPC FT ruled no compensation to owner on this case. In fact the tribunal seemed almost sorry for Apex PF. Lessons to be learned?

Greenrigg owners who still pay Apex property factor, consider what use is a property factor who has failed in so many ways and can't even fix a leaky roof?

New fly tipper in Millcroft flats - North Lanarkshire Council.

The fly tipping issue has been resolved. Millcroft flats NeighbourhoodWatch contacted Councillor Graham who very promptly arranged the removal of the items left in the bin shed by workmen

14/8/2018 Tuesday morning Apex Property Factor cutting grass in Millcroft Evens flats

Surprise Surprise! Apex Property Factor are cutting the grass in front of the corner close MILLCROFT EVENS (nearest Millcroft main road). The grass and weeds had this full years growth. Could it have anything to do with Apex PF upcoming court case against owners in that close?

29/7/2018 News from North Lanarkshire Council

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council has said Sanctuary Housing (Scotland) have now applied for funding from Scottish Government to buy the flats in Millcroft Road. This might take a while. The planned moving of owners to the new flats at Seafar will now NOT go ahead because of the longer timescale and those flats that were discussed at the open meetings are no longer available. What will be available for owner-occupiers, we do not yet know.

Saturday 28/5/2018

This weekend ,weed zapping in Millcroft 1-103 walkway

before after

ALERT!! Repossession staff have taken possession of Garage 7 Millcroft (Block C) 1-103, removing the owner's padlocks and hasps on the garage and replacing it with their own. They are claiming Garage 7 belongs to and is part of the property of FLAT 7, that was recently sold as a repossession property. It has been explained to Homelink who are dealing with the sale, that the garage numbers DO NOT correspond to the flat number and that it would be a different owner for garage 7. Nevertheless, staff refused to accept this explanation. If the owner of garage 7 wishes to challenge the actions of the repossession company, the contact number on the garage door is 01236700248

Wednesday 25/5/2018

Neil Cowan and others at Apex Property Factor have been recently stating in letters and emails that Apex Property Factor's measure of whether or not they are the factors in Millcroft/Greenrigg flats is in how many owners they can get to pay them, and now not the number of owners who have signed mandates. Could be the reason why Apex Property Factor is trying so hard, in my opinion, to harrass and intimidate owners to restart paying them. They have no legal right to do so. They have to be gone soon with the police and the trading standards and the Scottish government chasing them, not to mention all the owners who have cases against them through the HPC.

NEWS ALERT!!

Tuesday 24/7/2018, Airdrie Sheriff court heard 2 cases brought by Apex Property Factor claiming money against 2 owners in Millcroft flats 1-103. Iain and Andrew both won their cases in view that Apex PF lost their multiple appeals against the case Iain McNaught raised against them at the Housing and Property Chamber ( see details below). Both owners will now be claiming expenses against Apex PF. #LocalHeroes

On 20/7/2018 Police Scotland took a statement from Iain as Apex Property Factor had failed to comply with the enforcement order placed on them from the Housing Chamber due to Iain winning his case, and Apex PF were to pay him compensation. The statement will be sent to the procurator fiscal. To disobey an HPC enforcement order is a criminal offence! Hot water for Mrs Christine Winning Davidson-Bakhshaee?

Recap.

Iain ( Millcroft 1-103 block C) originally took Apex PF to HPC first tier tribunal in July 2017. He won his case proving that Apex PF failed to show that it had been properly appointed by the majority of owners ( at least 29). Next, Apex PF raised an action against Iain in Airdrie sheriff court for money they claim he was owe them. and Apex PF also appealed the HPC first T. decision of July 2017, that did not support they were the factor. The sheriff at Airdrie S. Court suspended the hearing until the result of Apex PF appeal was known. In November 2017 at the appeal, Iain McNaught again won the case. The tribunal this time was much clearer, stating that there was absolutely no reason why Apex PF could not have called an owners meeting. quote " By failing to do so, the Respondents could not be ratified as Factors and had no authority to act as such."

Apex PF appealed once more: the appeal was refused. Apex PF appealed once more again, this time directly to the upper Tribunal : it was refused. End of story, apart from Apex PF failing to obey the HPC enforcement order (to pay Iain compensation and wipe out any debt) and now have the police after them.

The case at Airdrie sheriff court Tuesday 24/7/2018 was the suspended case ( Apex Property factor claim for money ) that was waiting for the outcome of the appeal. And both Iain and Andy won their cases at the Sheriff Court, Airdrie .#LocalHeroes.

So all Millcroft and Greenrigg owners presently being harassed for money by Apex Property Factor, take comfort that Apex Property Factor have officially been declared not the authorised property factor in Millcroft 1-103 flats and as such, had no right to carry out any work or charge owners money as property factors according to the title deeds or tenements act (Scotland)2004.

Some ongoing work of the self-factoring group Millcroft block C

replacing missing door numbers throughout the block of 57.

Roof Repair at 89-103 Millcroft block C

still waiting on a solution to repair the broken roof at 89-103. This is now a priority

GARAGES FOR RENT 1-139 MILLCROFT ROAD G67 2QE

A number of single garages for rent at Millcroft flats block C. Enquiries please TEXT 07512 461457

Wednesday18/7/2018 New wave of threats from Neil Cowan at Apex Property Factor

Owners are reporting receiving letters from Neil Cowan threatening to report owners to Landlord Registration Unit, North Lanarkshire Council if they do not pay Apex Property Factor.

Again , my advice is do not take this lying down: email or write back saying why owners are not recognising Apex Property Factor, that there is no property factor appointed in these blocks of flats ( Apex PF have not followed the procedure according to the title deeds) how owners were misled into paying Apex PF in the first place, and in some reported cases staff at Apex PF forged owner's signatures, how the Apex Property Factor insurance is worthless as common areas insurance ( for any claim,Insurance company would read title deeds and find out whole block of flats involved all with individual insurance policies impossible to trace them all, so Apex PF insurance policy would not bother to pay out on common areas damage), how Apex PF work invoiced monthly was not carried out as per invoiced, how the correct procedure for appointing a property factor in the flats was not followed by Apex PF, ( the correct procedure is to contact the residents association, arrange an owners meeting where all owners vote, at least 29 owners for a majority ( not 7). These flats can not be factored close by close. The title deeds take precedence as one block of flats. There are legal and professional opinions and decisions from various sources: HPC first Tier tribunal, North Lanarkshire Council,solicitors, and respected property factors in Glasgow who all agree NO the tenements act can not be applied to these flats. The title deeds take precedence as one block of flats and must be treated as one block of flats.

Neil Cowan acting on behalf of Apex Property Factor is still taking owners to sheriff court for money. Owners need to clearly state to Apex PF their reasons why they are not paying Apex Property Factor or risk Neil Cowan putting his reasons forward to the court.

Fire in flat 69 Millcroft Road

This afternoon, the fire engine, paramedics and ambulance arrived to tend to the fire at flat 69 ( ground floor) in close 69-83 Millcroft Road (odds) block C. The tenant was given a chair outside on the walkway and was speaking to paramedics , then was helped to the ambulance to hospital. The building is OK so the fire was likely not too serious. It is a good thing to check smoke alarms are properly working in rental properties and regularly replace the batteries before they wear out and start beeping.

Wednesday 27/6/2018 Petition to MSPs for the removal of Apex Property Factor license to trade as a property factor

Flat owners from other areas in Scotland have contacted us and have said they are gathering signatures for a petition to Scottish Government to remove the licence of Apex Property Factor to trade as a property factor.

Tuesday 25/6/2018 Close 89-103

Close 89-103 glass roof pane is broken and the water has literally been pouring in. The repair has been left undone for a number of years and the close is now in a critical state. The water has now affected the electrics in the building and has possibly now reached the electric cupboard underneath through holes in the floor created by the water. The stairs has also been badly affected with pieces breaking off. We have asked roofing firms for quotations to repair the broken glass pane on the roof and make the building watertight. The responsibility for the repair and the bill falls on all 57 owners. According to owners response whether we pay the bill collectively, or if there is not a decent response from owners, we will ask NLC to impose an emergency repair order.

Sunday 24/6/2018

Closes cleaned and tidied. Bin shed 1-15 got a #Make-over

BEFORE AFTER

for newbee tenants, a notice to help them find their bin

Junk Mail

Junk mail can be a nuisance and let a burglar know when a flat is unoccupied. Landlords can block the letterbox so as no junk mail can get in, or alternatively, they can contact the neighbourhood watch or the owners self factoring group, using

the email at top of page to arrange removal of any junk mail sticking out of the letterboxes.

Wednesday20/6/2018

The owner of flat 9 has now repaired the door and secured the flat.

Friday 15/6/2018 Grass Cutting

Just a reminder to owners who have not already started contributing to the upkeep of the flats, the grass is getting cut today and we need to pay the grasscutter. Please help us pay the bills needed to keep the flats in a decent order. The closes are already regularly cleaned for free, and the walkway tidied, yet we need to pay the grasscutter £150 per cut and strim. This is the going rate for grasscutting. It is usually £30 per close ground maintenance, but because there are multiple closes, the price is £25 per close x 6 closes = £150. Anyone wishing to seek confirmation of prices, can check the going rate online and in the local newspapers.

At a later date in the year, there will be a meeting called to confirm either the continuing of the owners self-factoring group in Millcroft 1-103 block C or to vote in a new property factor company. The choice will be up to a majority of owners. In the meantime, please contribute the £15 per month asked for our self factoring group. You can pay either through the Paypal account paypal.me/mMillcroftOdds or please email millcroftflatsnews@gmail.com for the bank details. Thanks guys.

There has been various letters sent out to owners from staff at Apex Property Factor, Kirkintilloch claiming that :

- North Lanarkshire Council have given them a mandate to act as property factor; NLC senior officers say they definitely did NOT and could not give any mandate to Apex Property Factor to act as property factor.

- that there is some ongoing appeal; Apex Property Factor's attempt to appeal directly to the upper tribunal was Refused. Presently, there is no appeal by Apex Property Factor for any HPC Millcroft flats 1-103 case.

- that there is now enough owners giving a mandate to Apex Property Factor, that a quorum of 7 owners can somehow appoint them factor over 57 flats; The title deeds are clear: for any property factor in Millcroft 1-103 flats to be appointed property factor, there has to be a meeting of owners, a vote and a ratification by GMRA. Apex Property Factor have not done this.

A quorum of 7 owners cannot on their own appoint a property factor over 57 flats in Millcroft flats 1-103. Neil Cowan previously tried at the HPC tribunal to say that a quorum of 7 owners could appoint a property factor and it was made clear to him that that was definitely NOT legal and against our title deeds.. There has to be a majority of at least 29 owners voting at an owners' meeting.

- that the tenements act (Scotland) 2004 can somehow apply; The tenements (Scotland) 2004 act cannot apply to Millcroft flats 1-103. Previously, at an earlier time of some repairs in the flats, NLC sought a legal opinion on this matter of whether or not the flats could be recognised close by close ( instead of the whole block of 57 flats) and the answer was NO. Millcroft flats 1-103 block C cannot be treated close by close; it has to remain 1 block of 57.

- that there is no Residents Association; HPC panel pointed out in November 2017 to Mr Cowan that there was no reason why the Residents Association could not be restarted. GMRA, our Residents Association was legally restarted in 2016 at an owners' meeting. Mr Cowan and others at Apex Property Factor could apply to GMRA to hold an owners' meeting and ask to be properly appointed as factors. They have no done so.

Mr Cowan and those at Apex PF have ignored the HPC enforcement order on them and apparently continued to send Mr McNaught invoices. HPC have now reported them to ScotGov and Police Scotland. They are also under investigation from Trading standards officers, and are being challenged by a number of legal professionals ( on behalf of owners) Mr Cowan and others at Apex Property Factor, Kirkintilloch have continued to spout misleading and untrustworthy statements to owners in the hope some owners will keep on paying. In my opinion, when the going gets too tough for Apex Property Factor, the business will fold and those owners left owed money by them will not see a penny of it. Wave goodbye to your float money and your Apex insurance and all the extra money paid for work not done. If anyone was foolish enough to pay them money upfront for supposed grant work, wave goodbye to that too.

Thursday 14/6/2018 Apex Property Factor workers came into Millcroft 1-103 Block C and were preparing to start cleaning closes. They were spotted and told to leave and it was pointed out that there is now new cleaners for the block. One Apex Property Factor worker phoned their office and said he was speaking to Gary. I offered to speak to Gary and told them my name. Instead Gary was suddenly unavailable. After that the two Apex Property Factors left in their van.

Friday 8/6/2018 update from NLC

Jamie Hepburn MSP has now had a reply from NLC regarding the progress of buying Millcroft Flats so:

As you will be aware, it was intended that Sanctuary Scotland would contact owners to start to discuss their options. Unfortunately this has taken longer than we had anticipated and Sanctuary Scotland are currently updating the financial assumptions and project delivery plan in respect of the Millcroft Road project. In the meantime, we are progressing the Statement of Reasons which outlines the justification for the CPO and will be served with the initial CPO Notice. I can confirm that we will also be writing to owners and residents to apologise for the delay to the project, and to again outline the process and anticipated timescales. We will also stress to owners that no-one from the council or Sanctuary Scotland HA will be approaching them in the short term to try to purchase their home, and nor do residents require to find alternative accommodation.

This reply from NLC avoids the question asked, that is, what is now the timescale for the process to start, not the compulsory purchase order that they are trying to get. We were told it would start Spring 2018, but that obviously won't happen because Sanctuary Scotland have not committed the money for the project. Will press for more information as it is available.

Sunday 3/6/2018 New Bank Account details for Millcroft Flats 1-103 (odds) Self Factoring Group

The self factoring group have a new Bank of Scotland account for owners to use to pay in to for the grass cutting /close cleaning etc in Millcroft flats 1-103 (odds). For details, please email to millcroftflatsnews@gmail.com

Thursday 31/5/2018

Jaimie Hepburn MSP has written, on owners behalf, to both NLC and Sanctuary Housing Associtaion asking how the buying of Millcroft flats is proceeding. He has asked for clarity in particular the timescale of when owner-occupiers can expect to have their properties individually valued and receive either a new flat or a payout. That was on the 22nd May 2018. Sanctuary Housing Association has replied so " Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association has no funding commitment confirmed to deliver this project at time of writing and can not proceed until this has been agreed. A meeting is scheduled today (30th May) to discuss funding with both North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Government. " It looks suspiciously like a meeting was hurriedly arranged. Jaimie Hepburn is still waiting on a reply from North Lanarkshire Council.

Wednesday 30/5/2018

Owners are again reporting malicious letters from Apex Property Factor demanding money and threatening court action and other things. Most of the owners in Millcroft 1-103 flats have been threatened with court action by Apex Property Factor. Our position is, now we know definitely that Apex Property Factor are not appointed according to our title deeds, we know we were misled into paying Apex Property Factor and would not have done so if we had known the truth at the start. Thus making null and void any and all arrangements with Apex Property Factor and Apex Property Factor are not entitled to charge monies for work carried out under misleading information.

Owners do not have the right, on their own or individually, to appoint a property factor. There has to be consultation with all the other owners and a meeting to have a majority vote and then it must be ratified and endorsed by the residents association, GMRA.

The procedures in the flats' title deeds are quite clear how owners appoint a property factor. GMRA has been officially restarted. There is nothing stopping Mr Neil Cowan contacting GMRA and making an application for Apex Property Factor to be considered for the appointment as property factor, including an owners' meeting and vote. He has not done so. Therefor without an owners' meeting and majority vote and without the approval of GMRA, Apex Property Factor claims are worthless.

Prior to 2015 and Apex Property Factor's appearance at Millcroft flats 1-103, there were various small self-factoring groups made up of owners and tenants that managed the closes, litter picking etc. Apex Property Factor last sighting in Millcroft 1-103 flats (odds) was 12th January 2018. In April 2018, the owners' self factoring group started managing the grass cutting, close cleaning, litter picking et al.

On a cheerier note, all the grass has just been cut again and it looks #great. The closes are also improving, noteably 1-15

not perfect, but at least it's clean.

Monday 28/5/2018 Meeting with paralegal James Collier about signing up to taking group case to HPC tribunal to get rid of Apex Property Factor in Greenrigg

There was only 6 owners turned up (5 of them were all there). Mr Collier agrees that Apex Property Factor were not properly appointed and so are not the property factors according to the title deeds, as they have claimed.

If Greenrigg owners wish to join the group action to HPC tribunal, the cost is £200 up front to Working Legal

Timescale for the proposed HPC action for Greenrigg

After 30 days for owners to pay Working Legal, a letter then would be sent to Apex Property Factor and a wait of around 30 days for their reply, followed by a wait of around 3 months for the action to be heard at HPC. A written decision from the tribunal could be a month later. It would likely be appealed by Mr Neil Cowan for Apex Property Factor, another 3 months wait to be heard at HPC and another month after that to receive the written decision. A process that is likely to take 10 months - 1 year. If for any reason the action is no longer required ( that is in the event of Apex Property Factor ceasing trading, filing for bankruptcy etc) the amount returned to each owner would be £150. For more information, contact admin@workinglegal.com or 01413911726.

We are investigating the possibility of obtaining an interdict to prevent Mr Neil Cowan and others employed at Apex Property Factor harassing owners of 1-103 Millcroft flats (odds) with demands for money.

Trading Standards Officers

Owner-occupiers in both Millcroft or Greenrigg who have suffered intimidation, work not carried out, misleading information given, questionable block insurance sold them by Apex Property Factor, can make a complaint to local trading standards officers on 01236 856361 The trading standards officers have already started an investigation into the practices and behaviour of Apex Property Factor and have taken statements from those owner - occupiers who have come forward with their complaint. Trading standards officers have indicated that if there is enough evidence , the information would be passed to Police Scotland and other statutory bodies.

Monday 21/5/2018

Many Millcroft flat owners are reporting receiving fresh demands for money from Apex Property Factor.

I advise writing a letter to Apex Property Factor clearly setting out your reasons for ending payments to them and also severing all links to them and ask them to stop writing to you. The letters owners received from Apex Property Factor were misleading. Apex Property Factor claimed to be the appointed factor according to the title deeds. However, In July 2017 and also in November 2017, it was proven in the findings of HBC tribunal panel that those claims are false and were misleading. If owners had known that Apex Property Factor were only a property factor looking for customers, owners would not have paid them anything because they would have known that other flat owners in the block would have to be consulted first and a majority decision reached. There is no contract, there is not and never was any majority of owners voting; there is no crucial and also necessary ratification by the residents association GMRA, (a residents association that is legally and officially restarted and recognised as the residents association for both Millcroft and Greenrigg flats). Apex Property Factor have never approached GMRA for ratification. Any honest and reputable property Factor would have no hesitation in seeking the approval of the residents association. Apex Property Factor are only self-appointed as found in HBC tribunal and owners have a right to cease payments. Recorded delivery letters are best to this company.

Neil Cowan might try to say there is an appeal to the upper tribunal. There is no appeal to the upper tribunal concerning factoring in Millcroft Flats 1-103. HBC have clearly decided that Apex Property Factors both at the original hearing in July 2017 and also at the appeal November 2017, that Apex Property Factor are not the appointed factor but only self appointed. Their method of being appointed was hopelessly flawed and they failed to correctly interpret the title deeds.

Apex Property Factor company have not been seen or carried out any work in Millcroft 1-103(odds) since January 2018. It is the owners self factoring group (MF1-103 self factoring group) who factor all this block of 57 flats, grass cutting, close cleaning, litter picking, and more.

The mess that Apex Property Factor left can be seen in the photos below: litter left for more than 6 months, closes not cleaned properly, maintenance carried out sporadically yet payment claimed for fortnightly work.

Friday 18/5/2018 The grass has been cut again and is looking very nice. The local family business that has been cutting the whole of the grass in front of Millcroft 1-103 for the last month, have now been given the regular contract. Our Millcroft Flats 1-103 self factoring group thank all owners who are now paying into our fund and urge other owners still undecided to start supporting the group.

On the grassed area in front of Millcroft Flats, many residents throughout the Millcroft Estate use the little path across the grass to walk safely to the bus stop. Millcroft Flat residents like to walk there on a sunny day ( contrary to belief, it is not covered in dog mess, but is quite a pleasant walk.)

In stark contrast, the grass in front of Greenrigg Flats: some of the grass has been cut , and some left unattended and in a mess.

Apex Property Factor choose to leave Greenrig flats grass a patchy mess.

One small part of the Greenrigg flats grass, next to the bridge, has been given a cut or strimmed, ( how they managed to cut that grass with years' worth of bottles and junk still left on the grass, is an achievement)

LEFT HAND SIDE GREENRIGG FACTORED BY APEX PROPERTY FACTOR; RIGHT HAND SIDE MILLCROFT FACTORED BY OWNERS SELF FACTOR GROUP

Previously, before they were thrown out of Millcroft 1-103, Apex Property Factor CHOSE to attend to little more than half the block, leaving the other half of the block unkempt and covered in litter, weeds and other unsavoury objects. Closes were cleaned sporadically and were not cleaned properly, often unwashed, merely swept; walls were left with graffitti and mess on them.

That was then. Apex Property Factor have now been asked to go.

Now MF1-103 self factoring group have taken over the regular maintenance of the WHOLE BLOCK, owners, residents and visitors to the street can see the difference even in the short time that they have been working.

MF1-103 self factoring group has the support of GMRA and looks to go strongly forward caring for the block.

This close has not been painted, just deep cleaned a few times . Council contact numbers, bin shed information and other notices have been pinned up on the wall to help new tenants. All flats in this close are currently occupied.

Sunday 13/5/2018

Litter picking front, side and back of Millcroft 1-103 flats.; weeding at the car parking and garage areas. Grass will be cut again this coming week. May I remind owners of Millcroft Flats who haven't yet started paying into our self-factoring fund, please do so asap. We rely on owners to participate in the self-factoring effort. It is costing £150 per cut, and the grasscutter wants paid. The paypal account is where owners can pay in paypal.me/mMillcroftOdds , until a bank account for our self factoring group is opened. Thanks

Some pics of what we've been up to today.

grass tidied at front of flats litter picking done, time to zap those dandelions

dandelions beheaded, time to admire some of the more welcome flowers in Millcroft 1-103

Sunday 6/5/2018

All 6 closes have been, swept and washed, the outside of the entrance tidied and mopped, walkway edges ( flats side) weeded and swept and the garden areas litter picked. New cleaning schedules have been put up and notices concerning Apex Property Factor put up in closes to make owners and tenants aware that the owners in the street are now self-factoring the block. Apex Property Factor have also been made aware of owners self-factoring and have been told not to carry out any work in Millcroft 1-103 (odds)

Sunday 29/4/2018

close cleaning with our self-factoring group got underway this afternoon. Close and stairs 89-103 got a fresh clean, rubbish removed and the entrance weeded and tidied.

a big difference from how it was left by Apex Property factor. The rubbish in the photo was there for more than 6 months.

BEFORE

AFTER

Close 69-83 also got a tidy outside, removing the dried dog poo, fag ends, weeds, gunge.

Saturday 28/4/2018

Guys, we need to crack on with keeping the street, grass and closes tidy. Apex Property Factor has been given their marching orders and it is up to us to self-factor the flats. If we do not pull together and take care of the area and the flats, Apex Property Factor WILL come into the street again and this time it will be very difficult to get rid of them, and they will take owners to court.

If owners club together and arrange these maintenance jobs ourselves, now, Apex Property Factor will Not be able to take owners to court because they have no work in the street and as having no work in the street, they are not factoring the street. That might be a lesson for Greenrigg flats.

New Kitty for Millcroft 1-103 flats maintenance is https://www.paypal.me/mMillcroftOdds

There is now a Paypal kitty set up for the maintenance of flats 1-103 Millcroft Road, Cumbernauld This kitty is for the Millcroft Odds Flats only and some expenses from the GMRA The Paypal account to pay in is

https://www.paypal.me/mMillcroftOdds

Owners in Millcroft 1-103 are asked to contribute each £15 per month to pay for grass cutting every 2 weeks until October. close cleaning every 2 weeks. What is left over will go towards replacing light bulbs in the common areas, painting the common areas, repairing broken glass in common areas, ground maintenance ( that is litter picking, trimming bushes etc) and also help with GMRA committee expenses. If anyone has a problem paying, please let me know and we will try to help. Once you have made the first payment, please email to let me know so that your payment for your flat number in Millcroft can be identified. Thanks.

Grass cutting time has arrived again. One of our owners has arranged a local person to come and cut the grass at the Carbrain Road side of the flats. Initially the grass cut is the first 4 closes. A kitty is being set up and each owner can pay in say £ 15 per month to include grass cutting, close cleaning and some repairs to the lighting in the closes.

Although the kitty and grass cutting was briefly touched on at the last GMRA meeting, many owners feel we need to push on and start getting the place looking better.

Some owners are reporting having received letters from Apex property Factor asking owners to sign an APF form giving them the authority to apply for a grant to repair the closes and surrounding outside walls, and even the slabs on the walkway! Anyone who is not yet aware:

North Lanarkshire Council are waiting on the Scottish Government to issue a compulsory purchase order on Millcroft flats who say they expect to receive it by November 2019 so, really, would NLC even talk about funding for repair grants to a building earmarked for demolition?

In HPC tribunal, it was proved that APF are NOT the appointed factor in Millcroft 1-103. They have no majority and have not the ratification from the GMRA. APF have No Authority to act on behalf of the owners in the street, so how could they apply for grant funding? (much as they would obviously like to). They are looking to reel someone in, someone unsuspecting. #ConfidenceTricksters. They have not appeared in the street since 12th January, after their appeal failed against Iain McNaught.

Thursday 19/4/2018 Block Insurance demands from Apex Property Factor

Some owners will have received demands from Apex Property Factors (APF) for money for block insurance. Also demanding to see proof of owners own insurance. I strongly advise not sending them any proof of anything. They are NOT the appointed factors in Millcroft 1-103 and have no right to demand anything. If owners treat Apex Property Factors as the appointed factors even after learning that APF are NOT the appointed factors, those owners risk being repeatedly invoiced from APF and be forced to pay. Owners need to make it clear that they do not recognise APF as factor in 1-139 Millcroft. Do not show them anything. They are confidence tricksters who will sound plausible and official. That is their game.

There are reports of Apex Property Factors now trying the same tactics of saying they are the appointed factors in another block of flats in Aberfoyle Street in Glasgow. Flat owners have not signed up to APF yet are being told that APF are the appointed factors in that block. Sound familiar?

GMRA meeting at Baptist hall 18/4/2018 7.30pm

Around 25-30 owners came from both Millcroft and Greenrigg flats.

Iain McNaught talked about his successful efforts to get rid of Apex Property Factor and how APF had done everything in their power to prevent him making his case at the HPC tribunal. Thankfully they failed to stop him and now we all know the truth that Apex Property Factor are not the appointed factor according to the title deeds but only opportunists.

Present was a para-legal consultant from Working Legal, who has suggested a joint approach to getting rid from Apex Property Factors through a hearing at the Housing and Property Chamber in Glasgow.

Starting a neighbourhood watch scheme for Greenrigg was also briefly discussed. There is one going for the last year in Millcroft (odds) and it has made a difference. There is less fly tipping; the bin sheds are being maintained and problems resolved; vandalism has decreased and there are a lot more smiles in this part of Millcroft. However, litter picking is a constant job and needs to be kept on top of. Neighbourhood Watch is not just about clyping. It also helps get cheaper flat insurance as many insurance companies ask if there is a neighbourhood watch in your area. So please join up - all that is needed is name, address, and contact details.

There have been two quotations put forward for grass cutting along the Carbrain Road side of the flats ( both Greenrigg and Millcroft odds flats) These will be discussed at the next meeting.

Flat Insurance questions were raised. Whether or not owners insurance was block insurance or only flat insurance. If the insurance certificate does Not say Block on it, it is likely only your flat that's insured. Roy Wolfin, an experienced landlord, made the point that the insurance could not be block insurance because Apex Property Factor do not insure all the flats in the block and even less than half of them in each close, so , unless APF were paying the difference for the rest of the flats, it could not be block insurance.

Also in the meantime there will be a small group of owners meeting with Allan Graham local councillor to discuss how to best help this area.

The next Greenrigg and MIllcroft Residents Association meeting will take place in May, after the HPC Tribunal hearing for 2 Greenrigg flats owners v Apex Property Factor.

Apex Property Factors The Residents Association have just been informed that Housing and Property Chamber (HPC) are reporting Apex Property Factors to the Scottish Minister and to Police Scotland for failing to comply with an enforcement order in favour of Mr. Iain MacNaught, Millcroft road. When a property factor is reported to the Scottish Minister, the result is likely the removal of the licence Apex Property Factor have to conduct business as a property factor. So guys make your plans early to get back your float money and any other monies owing from Apex Property Factor. Anyone receiving demands from Apex Property Factor for block insurance money, beware. What you pay for will not be block insurance, only insurance for your own flat. That company are likely to disappear soon: it would be wise not to pay them anything more.

Greenrigg and MIllcroft Resident Association Meeting

The correct date is Wednesday 18th April at 7.30pm Baptist Hall, Greenrigg

Fire Safety in Bin sheds

Bin shed 69-83 Millcroft Road 2/4/2018

Dried leaves outside and inside the bins sheds are a serious FIRE HAZARD. Youths have used the bin shed area to stand and smoke (weed) and Play with their Lighters. And young boys around 10-12 have come to the street playing with their Lighter and tried to set fire to what rubbish was lying around.

Bin sheds have been set on fire previously. Dried leaves around the wooden door ( of the bins sheds and flat entrance doors) are an easy target for #PyroCrazies.

69-83 This bin shed needs a serious tidy ASAP. Many owners keep a brush and pan just inside the door of the bin shed so it can be tidied.

NEWS ALERT! Residents Association Meeting Carbrain Baptist Hall date Wednesday 18th April 2018.

Just announced a fresh meeting of our Residents Association. Present will be two flat owners from Millcroft and also Greenrigg, who have won their cases against Apex Property Factors. Also to be present are Two Legal Advisors to give advice. Owners, please try and be there. This is your residents association there to help you. We need your support. Please come along. The time pencilled in is 7.30pm

Monday 26*3/2018. BLOCK INSURANCE just heard from the insurance underwriters in London, for the insurance policy I paid for through Apex Property Factor, confirming that only the flat is insured and the policy is NOT BLOCK INSURANCE. Last week, when questioned about the insurance I had paid for, Apex Property Factor firmly stated the insurance was Block Insurance, that is insuring also the common areas of the block like the stairs and the roof and the entrance etc. as well as the flat, as our title deeds specify we need to do. Those of us who have been caught out ( including me) by these #ConfidenceTricksters and blatant liars, who at times sounded very convincing, don't pay them anything more.

In my opinion, the insurance premium is expensive for what it is and owners could have got a much better deal elsewhere.

Getting Proof of what your insurance policy covers (ie. is it the block insurance as insisted by Apex Property Factor, or it it only insuring your own flat) If your insurance certificate says Lloyds of London on it, you can get a free policy check by going to https://www.lloyds.com/policyholder/policyholder-check-form fill in the form and also send a scan of your policy certificate. If Lloyds of London says it has not managed to receive the form, screenshot the whole form and send it along with the scan of the policy document. The email address for sending the documents is on their website.

If your insurance documents says a different Insurer , you can try to get an answer from the insurance broker that is written on the insurance certificate. My question to d2 Corporate Solutions insurance broker whose name was on the insurance document - was the insurance I had paid for Block Insurance? - strangely, was not answered and they remained unhelpful. Alternatively you can enquire directly to the insurance company shown on the certificate. You have a right to know the truth.

Saturday24/3/2018

pleasant spring day to be outside and doing little tasks. This afternoon's task is placing NO FLY TIPPING signs where hopefully those thinking on fly tipping will see them. Time will tell if it works.

This week, in the street, has seen tradesman dumping rubbish, who was carrying out repairs on a landlord's flat. Owners, please make sure your tradesmen take away any rubbish. It is not acceptable to use the street as a dustbin.

Apex Factor update.

On 22 Feb 2018Apex Factors have cheekily sent out invoices backdated to October last year and included a charge for breaking into cupboards, removing items without owners permission and padlocking the cupboards once they had destroyed the electric supply there. ( even the closes they state they do not factor - rather odd) So far two phone-calls from Apex employees demanding money. Please note everyone that Apex Factors have invoiced owners for cleaning every 2 weeks when there is paper Evidence that closes were cleaned at best once a month sometimes once every two months.

Insurance Apex Factors have led owners to believe that the insurance they paid for was to insure the building when it is likely only the owners flat that was insured and NOT the building. see the following case against Apex Factors Kirkintilloch

February 2018 There has been a shocking and disturbing case against Apex Factors who were claiming to be the property factors for flats at 8 Whitehill Street Glasgow. These owners didn't even get a statement of services, no proof Apex had actually been appointed factors, no idea of the fees Apex charged, no idea of Apex complaints procedures or how to terminate the arrangement. #Shocking how Apex Factors have treated these people. The H&P Chamber Tribunal is making Apex write to these owners telling them that the insurance they paid for is #worthless as buildings insurance because it only insures the owner's flat and not the building. The link to view the Tribunal's decision re Mr Brown, Glasgow v Apex Factors Kirkintilloch is further down this page. Best sit down before you start reading it. Type Apex in the box.

No Lighting in close 21-35

There has been no lights at all in this close of 8 flats for more than a year, the story being a disgruntled owner ripped the fuses out when other owners refused to pay a share of the maintenance costs. The ones that are suffering are those who live in that close. Have personally witnessed tenants using torches to go in and out at night. The close is also dirty outside at the entrance with dog shit, and the lack of any lights is a danger to residents. There are vulnerable adults and also little children living in that appalling circumstances. If owners are unable to get quotes from electricians to fix the lighting and clean up the stairwell and landings, ask and I will try to help. OWNERS HAVE TO MOVE ON THIS.To find other landlords in your close the register of what landlord owns what flat is freely available online https://www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/search

Keeping Bin sheds tidy

In early 2016, after a traumatising episode of fly tipping with the bin shed filled with black bags, boxes and a carpet, stinking for a month and NLC refusing to touch it, a man with a van was hired to remove the mess to the local tip. Cost £60. Following this, bin shed for flats 37-47 had a lock fitted on the bin shed door with Every tenant and also Every owner having keys. Total cost , about £80 ( lock + joiner+50 keys). There is a small battery light at the bin shed door for residents to see using their key. This system has worked quite well over the past 2 years, with one or two hiccups where newcomers to the close at first didn't know what bin was theirs.

Flats 53-67

However , this month an owner in the street, has been using a bolt across the door of the bin shed for flats 53-67 Shouts of annoyance rang out early this morning from someone trying to put their rubbish in the bin for 53-67 and had been unable to. Many residents choose to put their rubbish out late at night or very early on the way to work. OwnerOccupiers in this street, please be courteous to your neighbours in the flats and remember that residents may wish to put their rubbish out and are entitled to use their own bin shed.

update this bin shed has now been labelled with the flat numbers it serves. Hopefully this will make a difference

Sunday 18/2/2018

With Apex Factors hopefully gone from the street, grass cutting/ litter picking/ close cleaning needs organised for the coming year. Get to know who the owners are in your close and see if all can reach an agreement on how to go forward. If owners wish to preserve the value of their flats, the Outside area needs to be looked after as well as the inside of the flats. That means keeping the close looking clean and cared for, making sure the grass does not resemble the grass at the other side of Millcroft flats., litter picking ;keeping out Fly tipping especially from owners and workmen who have dumped paint pots, kitchen parts, old furniture and ex-tenants belongings left behind.. These items need to be taken to the council Westfield waste disposal site 3 Deerdykes Ct S, Cumbernauld, G68 9HW .

Friday9/2/2018 Apex Factors on research of the Property and Housing Tribunal cases against Apex Factors, there are quite a number of cases against Apex Factors throughout 2017. The themes seem to be : misleading information given to clients and potential clients; not dealing with queries and complaints in a timely manner and also refusing to accept complaints; refusing to accept termination of their contract; lack of invoices sent to clients; intimidating and on occasion threatening manner towards clients in seeking money; lack of evidence of proper and bone fide quotations for work to be carried out on behalf of clients. There is a report of one woman in Greenrigg flats who was verbally abused on the phone so badly by the director of Apex Factors that she had to go to the police. In my opinion, there is one word that applies to the behaviour of Apex Factors, Kirkintilloch, #rogues , and in my opinion, should be treated as such.

And if anyone from Millcroft or Greenrigg flats is reading this, and has suffered abuse and threatening letters or phone calls from Apex Factors Kirkintilloch, asking for money for factoring services that they don't want, they can consider taking their case to firstly the citizens advice bureau or a solicitor, or then the Housing and Property Tribunal because it has been proved by this Tribunal, TWICE, (initially and also at the appeal) that Apex Factors are not entitled to call themselves the appointed factors in accordance with the title deeds, as they have been doing. Previous owners who took Apex Factors to the Property and Housing Tribunal were often awarded compensation for their stress and upset, andApex Factors had to pay.

Wednesday 10/1/2018

Apex Factors there has been another case against Apex Factors brought to the Housing and Property Chamber by a Mr Tweedie, Motherwell. The findings were very similar, that Apex Factors staff and also management had intimidated and threatened owners, had presented them with pro-forma invoices for repairs amounting to around £5000, and demanded payment, that Apex factors had deliberately or carelessly given misinformation to flat owners, and had refused to accept their contract being terminated by a group of owners. Looks like a pattern to Apex Factors behaviour.

Wednesday 3/1/2018 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Burst water pipe

Scottish Water are aware of the issue are are coming to repair it.

Tuesday 12/12/2017 APEX FACTORS

Some news from one of the owners in Millcroft Rd 1-103 .

Iain, an owner occupier in the street has won his appeal against Apex Factors.

When Apex Factors sent a letter to him asking him to sign a contract with them, Iain wrote to them asking to see proof that Apex Factors were officially the appointed factors in 1-103 Millcroft Rd. Apex Factors did not reply to his question but still demanded money from him so he went to the Housing and Property chamber. He won his case that Apex Factors were not appointed factors in 1-103 Millcroft Rd.

However Mr Neil Cowan Apex Factors legal department, appealed the decision. Finally the result of the appeal is known. and the original decision was upheld. The appeal court said Apex Factors needed a mandate from 29 owners in the street (that is more than half of the owners), to be officially the factors and Apex Factors couldn't prove that. In fact Mr Cowan didn't even bother to turn up at the appeal and he provided no written representation to the court even though he was informed of the date and time of the appeal. So it's official: that Apex Factors WERE NOT and ARE NOT the legal factors in 1-103 Millcroft Road Flats. The link to see the Housing and Property Court's appeal decision about Apex Factors, please go to https://www.housingandpropertychamber.scot/property-factors/property-factors-decisions and type in Apex in the Factor box and click enter. The appeal decision is the first in the list.

This evening I have emailed Apex Factors cancelling the contract with them on the grounds they are not the factors and the demand by Apex to sign the contract was misleading in the first place and that if I had known Apex Factors were not officially appointed, I would definitely not have signed any contract with them. I have also asked for the float money to be returned along with money charged by Apex Factors for work not carried out. (close cleaning, grass cutting, litter picking)

So you guys who signed a contract with Apex Factors, get letter writing and get your money back. You guys who have steadfastly refused to sign any contract with Apex Factors, you can now tear up those bills! Merry Christmas.

Friday 10/11/2017. Apex Factors have been out in the street recently cutting grass in November, ( the last cut was in early September), a few of the closes have been cleaned but others have not and the rubbish in the flat grounds remains. The information coming from the court attended by Iain, our #Hero owner-occupier who took Apex to court, Iain is waiting to receive the written outcome from the court, of Apex Factors appeal. In the meantime, the court has said that Apex Factors are NOT the legal Factors in Millcroft Rd. Also guys, those that pay Apex Factors, please check your bills past and present, what you are being charged for against the actual work done. They have been charging for 2 close cleans every month when it is in reality the close has been cleaned once every 4-6 weeks. Apex Factors must know what their staff are given to do each day so they would know how often in a month the closes have been cleaned. We are owed money from Apex Factors for work charged for but not carried out.

Friday 27/10/2017

Apex Factors Hit Back!

Below is a letter received from Apex Factors this afternoon. What do y'all make of it??

personal comments: if Apex Factors were following the title deeds they would have to factor every close in the both Millcroft flats streets and the whole of the Greenrigg flats street, which they Do Not . If there was any grounds to instantly get rid of Apex it would be GROSS MISCONDUCT. Bullying, threatening, claiming payment for work not done, misleading owners, and dictating the terms of their so called contract to suit themselves. Any decent property factor who knew the owners of the properties wished them to stop, would end the agreement and go away, and not behave like tyrants and bullies. This is not what property factors are supposed to do. Unfortunately no spokesperson for Greenrigg and MIllcroft Residents Association could be contacted.

Thursday 26/10/2017

NEWS ALERT! NEWS ALERT!

The vote from the Greenrigg and Millcroft Road Residents Association meeting and notices has been counted and there has been an overwhelming majority to SACK APEX FACTORS. in All Three Streets. This is now in progress. Recently Apex Factors sent letters to owners changing the notice period from 1 month as in the title deeds, to 3 months. This may not have been legal and is being contested by the Residents Association. So, guys, don't pay Apex any more money!!. Some say we will be lucky to get the float money back. #CowboyCompany

Wednesday 18/11/2017

Apex Factor workers have been out in the street. They have broken into bin sheds and destroyed locks. Residents say they have witnessed Apex Workers kicking electric cupboard doors and removing items. The electric cupboards beside ground floor flats have been padlocked with the below notice. There has been no prior warning of this.

The Apex worker Liam, spoken to, refused to listen and told his workmate to also walk away.when asked to go to residents in the relevant flats and obtain a key first. He also said that all the bin sheds should be left open. On challenging this worker who said his name was Liam, that the bin sheds were the property of the owners, he retorted that there was no trespass law in Scotland.

On Tuesday, a phone call was received from an Apex worker who said her name was Ann, and asked that should I sell my flat, the solicitor in charge of the sale would have to contact Apex Factors. I reminded her that the payments were up to date and there was not money outstanding. On my questioning this, she said she knew the payments were up to date but that I would still have to make my solictor contact Apex if the flat was sold. I refused and she said she would take it up with Apex Legal team. #scary

Its time these jokers were out of Millcroft Road. No more mistreating residents and their property. No more half done jobs that they claim full money for. One of the owners in Millcroft has taken them to court, that they fraudulently claimed to be the factors in the street and duped owners into signing contracts, and he won. Sadly Apex have appealed the ruling #WaitAndSee

Meanwhile Liam has been busy with the ground maintenance on the street. See how the Apex worker blows the leaves onto the street and scatters them.

Friday 13/10/2017

Greenrigg and Millcroft Residents Association had a meeting to get rid of Apex Factors. The outcome at this stage is still unknown

New Bulletin Received from North Lanarkshire Council

As guessed, the council has made the decision to demolish the Millcroft Flats. They intend to finalise details at the council meeting in November 2017. There is also another survey asking owners to choose yes or no or don't know to agreeing to the demolishing of the flats. Below is a copy of the leaflet sent out to owners. Things look like moving very quickly. To find out more about compensation and owners rights checkout Scottish Government info :at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/10/24114350/3#proffees

Saturday 2/9/2017

The Millcroft Road flats survey and the two open days have now taken place. North Lanarkshire Council have made a decision and a New Bulletin leaflet from North Lanarkshire Council is due to be sent out to flats in Millcroft Rd September

Wednesday 5/7/2017

NLC and Sanctuary Housing Association meeting with owners in Millcroft Rd flats

Plenty assistants from Sanctuary and North Lanarkshire Council present at the consultation event although the turnout from owners seemed to be low. There were sketches of the new flats available for owners to see and who will opt to Own a new flat from Sanctuary or to rent from Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Housing association representative that I spoke to said the flats being offered to owner-occupiers are getting built presently at Allanfauld Road. She went on to say that if the decision was made by NLC to demolish Millcroft Rd flats, the owners could also receive a Compensation Package as well as an individual market valuation price for their property. Tenants who would lose their home because of the NLC buyout, could be eligible for compensation depending on their circumstances. She also said that if NLC made the decision to demolish the flats, owners could, if they wished, sell their flats very quickly within months to Sanctuary and either move into a new Sanctuary flat or simply take the money. There would be no wait of years and years. It was quite a convincing argument.

What was clear and said at the open consultation was that if NLC decide to go ahead with demolishing Millcroft Flats, the process will move swiftly not least NLC Individual Valuations of flats by NLC surveyor.

Owners - look after your investment - if your flat looks scruffy inside, do a quick make-over to get that extra money when valued. Outside the flat is also important for assessing value, because it is how an owner has taken care of his building and what kind of condition it is in.

Valuations are likely to start as early as October 2017. This, will probably move very quickly after NLC announce the decision. At the open consultation July, Sanctuary staff said owner-occupiers who opt to move to a new Sanctuary flat could move as early as the back end of the year and owners who opt to take the money will be swiftly paid out .

Saturday 24/6/2017

North Lanarkshire Council call an evening consultation re Millcroft Flats

Here is the letter received this morning:

Friday 16/6/2017

info from Residents Association

There are to be 2 open meetings concerning Sanctuary Housing and NLC survey, dates and times to be advised.

Area maintenance

Staff from Apex Factors have been working in the street today, cleaning closes and zapping weeds. They were keen to help and caught up with the areas that needed attention as mentioned below and did more than was required of them. Some workers had only just started working for Apex Factors. Those owners who have an issue with Apex Factors, please try not to be abusive in any way to the workers who are only doing their job.

weeds zapped by Apex staff. Place looks a lot tidier.

Monday 28/5/2017 Weeding season again

North Lanarkshire Council have been notified ( through Fix My Street) that they need to zap the weeds on Millcroft Walkway, a job they have in the past not taken care of very well, but need to step up and do what NLC are paid for.

For those owners of flats in either of the 2 closes with a glass walkway ( the ones factored by Apex), and are paying Apex Factors please tell Apex to remove the weeds at the entrance door. It is not just about cleaning closes and cutting grass, Apex have to take care of the common areas in and around the closes. Also , owners please tell Apex Factors to clean the tiled wall inside the entrance to the flats. Many tiles entrance areas are dirty with torn notices still stuck on the wall. Owners are each paying £33 per month to Apex Factors. Please make sure they do their job.

Monday 28/5/2017 sent from Neighbourhood Watch

Smishing – the term used for SMS phishing – is an activity which enables criminals to steal victims’ money or identity, or both, as a result of a response to a text message. Smishing uses your mobile phone (either a smartphone or traditional non-internet connected handset) to manipulate innocent people into taking various actions which can lead to being defrauded.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received information that fraudsters are targeting victims via text message, purporting to be from their credit card provider, stating a transaction has been approved on their credit card.

The text message further states to confirm if the transaction is genuine by replying ‘Y’ for Yes or ‘N’ for No.

Through this method the fraudster would receive confirmation of the victim’s active telephone number and would be able to engage further by asking for the victim’s credit card details, CVV number (the three digits on the back of your bank card) and/or other personal information.

Protect yourself:

Always check the validity of the text message by contacting your credit card provider through the number provided at the back of the card or on the credit card/bank statement.

Beware of cold calls purporting to be from banks and/or credit card providers.

If the phone call from the bank seems suspicious, hang up the phone and wait for 10 minutes before calling the bank back. Again, refer to the number at the back of the card or on the bank statement in order to contact your bank.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, please report it to Action Fraud athttp://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or alternatively by calling 0300 123 2040

Wednesday 24/5/2017

Survey

Most of the owners will have this week received a survey to fill in from Sanctuary Housing and North Lanarkshire Council

The choices seem to be the same as previously, that is, sell the flat or face emergency repair orders.

Most owners that I have spoken to are in favour of doing the necessary repairs but unless owners fill in the survey they risk having to sell their flats because there are those owners in Millcroft Road flats who wish to sell and have already sent off their reply to the survey. As North Lanarkshire Council say, their decision on what to do with the flats will be based on how many replies to the survey they get, whether there is a majority to sell their flats or a majority to go with repairs. So make your voice heard and get that survey filled in and sent back

If, later in the year, NLC find that owners in the majority have opted for repairing the flats, it will be important to stress to North Lanarkshire Council that each close should now be recognised as an individual block and not every joined on close as one block, as was originally in the title deeds. Those criteria were set up long ago on the assumption that there was a functioning Residents Association, (which once again there is not), a factor maintaining every close ( which there is not). Apex have not set up any repair funds with owners and again it would exclude certain closes that they do not factor. Those two organisations were originally supposed to maintain every close in the block. Because the repairing and maintaining of the closes is near impossible the way it is, we need to get control of our own closes. We need North Lanarkshire Council to formally recognise and accept that because of the unworkable old method of maintaining the closes, that the care and maintenance should revert to Each Close separately as laid out in the Scottish Government guidelines Scottish Government Tenement Act 2004 .

In 2012 North lanarkshire Council installed a new burden onto the title deeds of the flats (burden 4). In it they name each close separately as a block (A,B,C,D etc) . It would be very simple for NLC to add a few more words to "burden 4" on the title deeds to accept that in the case of unworkable or complicated maintenance arrangements ( like we have at the moment) the maintenance of the flats would revert to the Scottish Government tenements act as each close treated individually.

Recently where the majority of owners in a close have tried to sack Apex factors and install a new factor, it has been impossible because other factor companies have pointed out the title deeds say that every joined on close is to be one blocks and because of that they are not willing to take on any closes in Millcroft Road.

If we fail to get North Lanarkshire Council to accept that the present title deeds arrangements are unworkable and to agree that the Scottish tenement act applies instead (each close individually) all the owners are in for hefty bills from emergency repair orders NLC could serve on EVERY OWNER

Saturday 6/5/2017

Vandalism The brickwork on the walls is again under attack by youths. Neighbours say a group of unidentified boys around the age of 10-12 did the damage on this wall in our street . We believe this wall is the property of North Lanarkshire council. Update 16/6/2017 wall still not repaired

However, in a different part of the street, our Neighbourhood Watch team have repaired the recent vandalism on the steps before it got any worse. Hopefully the vandals will no longer bother with it.

Thursday 27/4/2017

News from Sanctuary Housing - some more questions answered

Further to the news letter, Sanctuary Housing have answered more questions put to them by owner/occupiers in Millcroft Rd flats. Here are the new questions and answers:

Q.A. If owner occupiers choose the Sanctuary shared equity option or Sanctuary tenant option can owners take their much loved pets with them ? There are a number of elderly residents in Millcroft Rd flats who have cherished pets and would benefit from knowing Sanctuary's position about taking their cat or dog with them?.

A: According to both the tenancy agreement and title deeds tenants and owners have the right to keep one domestic pet, but will need permission to keep more than one. We also stipulate that we have the right to ask for a pets removal if they cause nuisance or disturbance.

Q.B. Would owner occupiers who have current home businesses in their Millcroft Road flat be able to carry on their business in a Sanctuary owned shared equity or tenanted flat? For instance, one uses a sewing machine as part of a home business and would need to continue working from home.

A.B: Neither tenants or owners are allowed to run a business from home without our prior permission – we don’t with-hold consent unless it causes a nuisance, for example, a bookkeeper would be acceptable but a car mechanic would not.

Q.C. Would tenants who have been resident in Millcroft Flats for more than 1 year be entitled to compensation in accordance with the Scottish Government guidelines concerning compulsory purchases. Some tenants have read the Scottish Government guidelines and wish to know if they would be entitled to the £1500

A.C: Payment of home loss payments to tenants is governed by qualifying criteria set out in legislation and therefore the council would make this payment if the criteria is met. Any tenant or occupier who wishes more information on the criteria would require to obtain their own legal advice to clarify the position. To avoid incurring legal costs at this time an enquirer may wish to refer to the Shelter website or their local Citizens Advice Bureau for advice.

Q.D. Could Millcroft Rd flats owner occupiers who need to move to be near family, be able for Sanctuary to rehome them in a different part of Scotland?

A.D: Sanctuary Scotland will be offering new build properties within the Cumbernauld Area.

Q.E. if an owner occupier chooses the shared equity option in a Sanctuary flat and at a later stage wishes to move or dies and needs to sell their share of the equity does Sanctuary buy back that share of the equity? and if not what would happen?

A.E: Sanctuary does not buy back the owners share. The property would require to be sold on the open market, at the current market value, and the percentage owed to the Scottish Government would be paid back from the sale price.

Q.F. There are owner/occupiers in Millcroft flats who do not personally use their garage in Millcroft Rd that goes with their flat and is part of their title deeds but instead rent it out. would that owner/occupier still be entitled to the full options available to other owner occupiers? What would their situation be regarding entitlement?

A.F: The flats would be purchased along with the garage if this was tied to their title deeds. It would be up to the owners in question to terminate other lease agreements involving the rental of the garages.

Friday 14/4/2017

Apex Factors have been out cutting the grass, litter picking, cleaning closes.

Thursday 13/4/2017

Letter from Council to owners and residents about the future of Millcroft Rd Flats

A bulletin from North Lanarkshire Council and Sancturary Housing was delivered this morning. The jist of the letter said that, in the Council's view, there were only 2 options:

A the Flats are demolished and the residents rehomed or paid out. Owner landlords would be paid out only according to the state of each individual flat (and any compenstion due for loss of income etc) -more likely

B The Owners Pay for all the repairs needed in the street and blocks (through a Council Emergency Repair Order) - less likely

A survey team Research Resource will make a door to door survey of the views of residents in the flats between 9th April - 3rd May 2017. The Council urge residents to make sure to check the caller's ID. The Council also say they intend to carry out a postal survey of non- resident owners.

Friday 7/4/2017

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH scheme launched!

A new neighbourhood watch scheme in 1-139 ( odd numbers) Millcroft Road has just been registered and launched. Help us keep this street a safe and nicer place to live . Please join at https://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/

Updates from North Lanarkshire Council on the consultation with owners about the future of Millcroft Road flats is expected this month. A source at North Lanarkshire Council says after their meeting with Sanctuary Housing Association, matters are going forward and there is "a lot going on in the backrground" and a Council letter to owners will be issued April.

Friday 3/3/2017

A warning from the local Community Council and local councillors to be careful to shred/cut up any thrown-away personal documents before putting in the bin. Identity Theft Criminals have been seen on several occasions very recentlty sifting through rubbish in the bin sheds in Millcroft/Greenrigg looking for I.D. information to use. Don't let it be YOURS

NLC announced late January 2017 to consult with owners about the future of Millcroft Rd flats. No letters of consultation have yet been sent out and no meeting has so far been arranged. Also the new Greenrigg and Millcroft Residents Association seems struggling to survive and has not yet called any open meetings since its formation in Setember 2016.

Wednesday 18/1/2017

Apex Factors seem to have stopped litter picking and cleaning the closes. The last close clean was on 15/12/2016 and a litter pick has not been for the same time perhaps longer. Anyone continuing to pay Apex Factors - they are not doing anything for the money they are paid.

Front Page in the Cumbernauld News is the story that North Lanarkshire Council together with other parties are planning to demolish the flats. No definite details have emerged yet and no time scale. Please see the following article

http://www.cumbernauld-news.co.uk/news/politics/plan-to-transform-millcroft-road-1-4342357

Thursday 29/12/2016. A very Merry Christmas to all.

NLC have already installed some street bins in Greenrigg Road. NLC refuse collectors say only blocks in Greenrigg Road that have recessed bin sheds now have their bins in the street. Any plans for further street bins are as yet unknown.

Thursday 15/12/2016 Impressed by #ApexFactors work this morning. Our close has been properly swept top to bottom and even outside. And washed with CLEAN WATER ( all you non-payer complainers who dissed these workers take note). Looks clean and smells clean. Over the past 9 months, these Apex workers have been helpful to residents in keeping the area clean and tidy. They have been willing to do a bit extra when asked even though they don't have to. They have been vital in finding out who are the litter bugs in the area. Thank you

11/12/2016 At last news of the real Residents Association for Greenrigg and Millcroft.

The new Residents Association is kindly being headed up by Leeann Semple . There was a Residents Association private meeting held on 30th November. The notes say that only the committee, councillors, MSPs, officials from North Lanarks ire Council and also a selected number of owners (from Greenrigg) were invited. Not everyone, and not anyone from Millcroft apparently. This is when the decision was made to charge every owner in Greenrigg and Millcroft £150 on an s80 nuisance penalty form to create new bin areas and provide new open bins. This apparently is whether or not your bin shed is tidy and functioning well. The owners who did not tackle their rubbish problems in Greenrigg seem to be the root cause of the NLC intervention. As the new Residents Association committee is for both Greenrigg and MIllcroft, both the Millcroft even numbered flats street and the odd numbered flats street and even the closes whose bin sheds are tidy and chutes have previously been closed off, all have been included in this new bin scheme and will be be issued with the £150 penalty. From speaking to some Greenrigg flats owners they seem quite happy to pay the £150 to get their bin chutes closed off and new hard standing bins supplied.

However in Millcroft 1-103, the bin sheds are quite tidy and the chutes in most blocks have been blocked off many years ago. It seems very unfair that they too are penalised for the neglect of owners in a neighbouring street and face losing car parking spaces to fit an unnecessary bin.

How , you may ask is it possible to charge all the owners even if they have no bin issues? The answer given to me, is the the whole of Greenrigg flats is one block and the whole of 1-103 Millcroft flats (odd numbers) is one block and the whole of Millcroft flats (even numbers) is one block ie. all the joined on blocks. We think on our close as being one block, the council have assumed one block as being the entire street as apparently in the title deeds. This needs checked out!!

Also there is no-one on the Residents Association Committee from the 2 Millcroft streets ( neither from the odd numbered flats street nor the even numbered flats street), only committee members from Greenrigg. My question is how can owners from Greenrigg make decisions about Millcroft without the consultation or agreement of anyone from Millcroft?? Seems they have done.

Apparently there is a Residents Association meeting to be announced where all would be invited , not just the select few.

PLEASE Millcroft flat owners come and make your voice heard. Argue our corner and don't let others make the decisions for you that you will have to pay for.

The new Residents Association has also indicated that they intend to get rid of Apex Factors. The question for all of us who have paid for insurance and float money and monthly maintenance of grass bushes weeds and litter picks, is what will happen to out insurance policies? will the float money be returned to us? Will there be any other bills?

The Residents Association has not said anything about employing a new factor. So what happens now? A filthy mess is looming- no grass cut, no litter picked, no bushes maintained etc. If owners couldn't get it together to do these things before Apex Factors there seems little chance in the future they would bother to keep the areas clean and tidy or even agree on a new factor. #BackToSquareOne

4/12/2016 Last Chance to get the bin shed sorted. NLC Penalty Fines are on the way!!!

For those owners who still haven't brought their bin areas up to scratch, penalties are being drawn up and processed. Block chutes are to be closed and new street bins to be installed.

2/12/2016

From a new local Association:

quote - "whoever wishes to get regular updates need to give us consent by joining our community http://greenrigg.org "

At first glance , thought this was the new Residents Association, but on closer scrutiny looks like definitely NOT the new Residents Association. Note - on their website signing up is quite difficult with some odd items on the form. It asks at the registration to choose whether owner occupier, owner landlord, tenant or interested other. There is no contact address unless signed in and even then it is only a message form. I asked my neighbour who is a tenant to also sign up but she said that after filling in the form, she was refused. 60% of the people who stay in these flats in Millcroft and Greenrigg are tenants, and anyone who refuses or excludes tenants from a say in their own street does not deserve my vote or support. It wasn't the tenants who let the street or the buildings fall into disrepair, yet they are the ones who have had to live with it.

21/10/2016

Jamie Hepburn MSP and Stuart McDonald MP SURVEY - The results are in!

Here is a copy of the letter to those who completed the survey. It seems obvious to me that there is real concern about the neglected state of Millcroft/Greenrigg flats and garages areas, and how many people are determined that something is done about it.

Wednesday 28th September 2016 Carbrain Baptist Church Hall at 7.30pm Hillcrest and Carbrain Community Council Meeting regarding APEX, In attendance was Jamie Hepburn MSP, Stuart McDonald Councillor, Apex representatives and o 2 councillors that deal with matters regarding private ownersther

There was a good turnout with just under 40 there (owner occupiers and owner landlords and some tenants) It was very heated at times when owners expressed their anger at the way Apex had handled their factoring and the community council had their hands full keeping the meeting orderly

Apex factors were asked to explain many questions about the bills and how they arrived at that figure ( just under £5000). The Apex representative said that those bills had all been recalled and that new revised bills would be coming.

Asked why Apex had not given receipts for the money they had received from owners , the representative replied that the person who dealt with them had been off sick and that the bills would be issued shortly.

Asked why Apex had not consulted with the owners before handing them a bill, - there was no answer.

Asked why Apex had not shown owners the quotations they had received for the work they said they would do, there was no answer.

Asked why Apex had made out that they already had been appointed factors when owners now believed they had not been appointed, No answer. However Angie, secretary of Carbrain and Hillcrest Community Council stepped in to point out that the title deeds of owners properties stated that if 7 owners out of the whole of block of flats ( that is all of 1-103 Millcroft or all the flats in Greenrigg count as one block because they were joined together) agreed to accept that factor then that factor was appointed for all the flats in that block. Sounds odd but Angie assured the meeting that everyone's title deeds said that. Most people were very surprised and many said they thought their title deeds did not say that.

The Apex representative was with two other Apex representatives one of which was said to be a lawyer. Why would anyone take a lawyer to a meeting unless they were in trouble?

The two council representatives from NLC answered some questions regarding help with costs that owners might receive when repairing the buildings or common areas.

An interim residents association was then set up with names of willing owners taken and the undertaking to hold another meeting to establish the residents association.

Jamie Hepburn MSP complained that not enough owners had completed the survey he has sent out about improving Millcroft and Greenrigg. If you have not already done so, Please make the effort to fill in the survey and return it or go to his facebook page and complete the survey online. Mr Hepburn took the time and trouble to come to our meeting and to listen to owners problems and help. The least we can do is help with his survey.

A collection was taken as a donation for the use of the hall.

In the photo the person standing up is the Apex representative answering (or not answering) the questions. In the middle is the Community Council chairperson, on the Left is NLC representatives (private owners section). On the far right is Apex lawyer.