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Richmond |
Yes, such work can only take place between 0800 and 1800 Monday to Friday and 0800 till 1300 on Saturdays.
If I want to take up the carpeting in my flat, am I free to do so? No, the lease states that all floors must be “close-covered” (i.e. with carpets and underfelt) however, with written permission carpets have been removed in some ground-floor flats on the strict understanding that if there are complaints about noise they will be replaced.
What should I do about insurance? You should insure the contents of your flat for any damage that may be caused by your own actions – washing machine flooding, bath overflowing etc. The Estate carries insurance for the structure of the buildings and for damage that may be caused by accidents in its own properties or by actions of its employees.
Am I expected to have the outside of my flat painted? No, the Estate carries out a five-yearly redecoration of the outside of all blocks (including the outside of doors on each flat) and a seven-yearly redecoration of all the communal areas in the blocks on a rotating basis. You are responsible for the internal redecoration of your flat.
Yes, the office provides a secure method of holding spare keys for residents. You are encouraged to leave a spare set in the office so that the estate management can obtain access to your flat in case of an emergency.
What should I do if I get stuck in the lift? There is a telephone installed in each lift which connects to the duty caretaker who will come at your call, so don’t panic – all will be well!
Who is allowed to park on the Estate? Parking space is limited on the Estate. Each flat may have one car parked on the estate and residents receive a permit to be placed in the windscreen. Each flat is also issued with two visitor permits which are valid from 0800 to 1830 and must be placed on the dashboard in clear view. A car clamping system is in place and cars without valid permits and tax disc will be clamped.
Pets are not allowed except if they are visiting and only with written permission from the Board of Directors obtained in advance of the visit.
Should I notify the office if I am going to undertake major refurbishment of my flat? Yes, the office needs to know in case there are complaints from other residents. In addition, if any structural alterations are proposed (e.g. taking out doorways and installing arches, taking down walls, etc) these can only be done with the written permission of the Board. This is given by issuing a Licence for Alterations and before doing so, the company will require a letter from a surveyor or structural engineer stating that the proposed alterations will not compromise the structure of the building. This is necessary for buildings insurance purposes.
Can I rent my flat to another person? Yes, but only with the consent of the Company. This is given by issuing a Licence to Underlet for which there is currently a fee of £100. You should write to the Estate Manager who will arrange for a Licence to be prepared for you. Renting out your flat without the Company's consent may invalidate the buildings insurance and puts you at risk of personal claims.
Am I allowed to replace my windows? The Company actively encourages people to replace their windows with double-glazed units. These must, however, be in the same style as the original windows in order not to disrupt the uniformity of the appearance of the buildings. Contact details of firms which carry out such work can be obtained from the office.
Who replaces my radiators/valves when necessary? It is recommended that the work be arranged through the Estate Office. The company will pay for the replacement of any valves, but the costs of radiator repairs or replacement will be for the leaseholder.
What does my service charge cover? The service charge covers the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings, lifts, gardens, roadway and all communal areas on the Estate including redecoration of the outside and inside communal areas and the maintenance of the aerials. It also covers a proportion of the salaries of the staff (the rest comes out of Company funds). Also included are buildings insurance and services (such as cleaning) to communal areas. In the 1930s blocks the service charge includes provision of heating from 1st October to 1st May and hot water throughout the year. In the 1960s blocks the charge includes heating only.
When is my service charge due for payment? Under the terms of the lease, service charges are payable in advance and late payment may well attract interest. You will receive an invoice in December. This will show the service charge for the following year and the portion (50%) which is due for payment on 1st January. In June of the following year, you will receive an invoice for the remainder which is payable on 1st July. |