29. Water hygiene

Section 29 – Water Hygiene

The water hygiene at DCC is of a good standard and we are keen to keep it that way, as part of our water management as we are on an open system it is important that residents also understand the importance of carrying out simple water hygiene maintenance within their properties. Please see the steps below that you need to follow,
o Make Sure that all your taps and showers are used at least weekly. If any tap or shower is not used for a week or more (for instances when you are on holiday) then please run these gently for 3 or 4 minutes when you return. Also remember to clean your shower heads.
o Heated towel rails should be left permanently on with the valve fully open at all times, including the Summer. Although this may not be convenient on hot days, leaving the valve open means that hot water flows through the towel rail and prevents any growth of bacteria.
oThermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) typically found in modern shower
appliances should be serviced at least annually,
Finally we hope that you will enjoy living at Du Cane Court and please remember that all these arrangements have been made for the benefit of all residents and your cooperation is vital.

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28. Additional information (council tax, water rates, electricity supply, etc)

Section 28 – Additional information (council tax, water rates, electricity supply, etc)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Residents are responsible for paying Council Tax, Electricity (for your own use within your flat) & Water Rates. These are not service charge items.

Council Tax

Council Tax-Contact Wandsworth Council directly who will assist you with regards to payments for your council tax.
Tel: O208871 6000 Wandsworth Council The Town Hall Wandsworth High Street London
SW182PU

Electricity

Electricity Supplier – you are able to choose your own electricity Supplier to provide you with electricity within your own flat. Should you require a meter reading and your meter is not located within your property please speak to reception desk staff who will be able to assist you.

Water

Water Rates – Savings can be achieved on water rates by contacting Thames Water and tell them you want to be transferred to the Assessed Household Charge Tariff.
This is the tariff for people living in properties where they cannot install a meter; it is not possible for individual meters to be installed at Du cane Court.
They will probably send an inspector to see you and he will confirm that a meter cannot be installed. Thames water will then transfer you to the Assessed Household Charge tariff. You may also be able to get a further reduced rate if you are single occupier’.
Contact details for Thames Water www.thameswater.co.uk/contactus.
By phone 08459200 800, weekdays 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm (Minicom: O84572.00899)
By post: Assessed Household Charge, Thames Water, PO Box 436, Swindon SN38 1TU

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26. In-house plumber

Section 26 – In House Plumber

PROCEDURES FOR USING THE IN-HOUSE PLUMBER

The in-house plumber carries out small works in the building on communal installations and also finds sources of leaks when reported. His services extend to changing washers, clearing blockages and non-major pipe work repairs. Generally these services are free but if he is working on an individual pipe or cistern then his materials and time will be charged by the Estate Office to the flat concerned. Any re-charge is then immediately reimbursed to the service charge account.
Individual liability – Pipes Serving one flat are the liability of the flat’s lessee. This includes waste pipes, hot and cold feed pipes from the service duct, plus Stopcocks to sinks, baths and basins, as well as the waste pipes from these fittings. Radiators and their valves are also the lessee’s individual liability.
If you are having any plumbing Works carried out please check with the office and ALWAYS have the stopcocks checked first to ensure they work. Any requests for water shut downs must be notified to the office at least 24hrs in advance. We always try to accommodate requests but no guarantees can be given and there is a charge payable in advance for this service. £15 to shut off one supply either hot or cold or £25 for both hot
& cold.

Radiators

Residents should be aware if they are planning to replace their radiators that we are on an open system and that we would advise that you speak with the in-house plumber for advice before changing radiators.
Thermostatic valves can be fitted to radiators undertaken by the in-house plumber only during the period when the heating is shut down, for further advice please contact the
in-house plumber.
In the Event of a leak/Fault
REPORT IMMEDIATELY ALL LEAKS/FAULT TO THE DESK FOR THE EN-HOUSE PLUMBER TO REPORT THESE FAULTS PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU GO TO RECEPTION DESK TO CARRY OUT THE FOLLOWING:
1. You must supply brief details of the fault and your flat number
2. A contact number for yourself-This is very important in case we need to
speak to you directly.
3. Access details – Are you going to be at the property if not then we require you
to complete a key permission slip allowing the plumber access.
4. If you are a tenant of the property you must ensure that you have made your landlord/letting agent aware of the problem and please also Supply us with a contact number for them also – without this works can be delayed as we in Some instances require the landlords authority to undertake works if a cost is involved.
Remember we need all the details otherwise failure to supply us with this can greatly delay us being able to assist you quickly.

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25. Freeholder policy on rent collection

Section 25 – FREEHOLDER POLICY ON RENT COLLECTION

STATEMENT FROM DORRINGTON BELGRAVIA LIMITED

Dorrington’s policy is to act as a responsible landlord and to deal fairly with our tenants. Your rent will be requested as defined by your tenancy agreement or rent registration, usually on a calendar month basis in advance. Some rents are payable quarterly. Some rents are paid by standing order.
We ask our managing agents to submit an initial request for payment, as far as practical, at least ten days before it is due. If rent is unpaid on that date you will be sent a reminder. If your rent is paid by Housing Benefit you must instruct the Housing Benefit Department to pay your rent directly to our managing agents.

What you need to do – Be aware of the date that your rent is requested and how much you have to pay, and ensure that you pay the rent due to the managing agents. Many tenants find it easier to arrange payments by standing order and we encourage this method.
Please do not ignore our initial request, the reminder or letters advising you that we intend to take recovery action. Do not arbitrarily withhold your rental payments. If you have a query about your account, raise it in writing with our managing agents, but your payment must be made.
Non-payment of rent – If your rent is not paid on time we will have to take action. After the managing agents have requested your rent and reminded you of your obligations to pay, you may then be issued with a Statutory Notice advising you of our intention to begin legal proceedings for the recovery of the rent and repossession of your home.

Continue reading “25. Freeholder policy on rent collection”

24. Insurance and liabilities

Section 24 – Insurance and Liabilities

INSURANCE LIABILITIES

Several residents have queried the responsibilities for insurance. As the consequences of Wrong or no insurance are enormous I hope to clarify the responsibilities and liabilities below. See below for details on making a claim.

a. CONSEQUENCES

If you do not have proper cover there may, in exceptional circumstances, be a claim against you. The result of using cheap and incompetent contractors has given rise to instances in the block where substantial damage has been caused by water leaks to flats directly due to contractors’ errors. In some instances the contractors did not have liability insurance and the lessee did not have contents insurance. The buildings’ insurers who have met the claims are seeking to recover their losses against the lessees of the flats from where the leak originated. Some claims have been for over £6,000

b. SERVICE CHARGE

Through the Service charge payments the Buildings Insurance is paid. This covers the Structure, which includes the roof, walls, foundations etc as well as the common parts contents, e.g. carpets. There is a separate engineering insurance to cover the mechanical matters with lifts and boiler plant. Residents are responsible for their own contents insurance.

C, LESSEE LIABILITY

The lessee of each flat is responsible for his or her own contents insurance. This includes their carpets as well as personal effects. This protects you in the event of damage to your or another property as a result of something occurring in your flat e.g. Washing machine Overflowing. If in doubt check with the office

d, TENANT’S LIABILITY

As Sub-tenants of a leaseholder, or tenants of the freeholder, you are responsible for your own Contents i.e. those items not covered by your immediate landlord. If you are in any doubt ask your landlord or agent you rented through.

INSURANCE LIABILITY OF ASSURED SHORT HOLD TENANTS – (STATEMENT FROM DORRINGTON BELGRAVIA LIMITED)

As your landlord, we are responsible for paying the insurance premium for insuring the building and the common part contents against fire, theft or accidental damage. You should be aware that this “Buildings Insurance” does not cover the contents of your flat or any damage, accidental or other, to your Landlord’s or any third party’s property or Contents due to an act by yourself, family or visiting guests.
Also, please be aware that it is your own responsibility to insure any personal belongings or possessions brought into the flat against such risks.
For example, should water damage occur to the contents of the flat below due to a tap left running or overflowing bath/washing machine, this may not be covered by any buildings or landlord’s contents insurance policy and any claim would be made against you directly which may run into many thousands of pounds.
It is advisable for you to be properly insured against all risks and if you have not already done so, you should arrange appropriate cover as a matter of urgency. An insurance company or broker will be able to advise you on the most appropriate policy.

Making a Claim

Before making a claim, please keep in mind that, as in the case with motor insurance, the premium payable this year and in future years is directly affected by the number of claims,
If you find it necessary to make a claim, please contact the Estate Office at Du Cane Court.
The excess under the buildings insurance from 24 June 2012 to 2013 has been raised by insurers to £1,000.00. This means that you will be responsible for the first £1,000 of the claim which you will be required to pay. If the cost of the works is below £1,000 then you are required to meet the cost yourself and no claim may be made.

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23. Plumbing liabilities

Section 23 – PLUMBING LIABILITIES

IN-HOUSE PLUMBER

The staff plumber carries out Small works in the building on communal installations. He also finds the source of leaks when reported. His services extend to changing washers, clearing blockages and non-major pipe work repairs. Generally these services are free, but if he is working on individual pipes or cisterns, his materials and his time will be charged to the flat concerned. (Please see below INDIVIDUAL LESSEE LIABILITY). If he is undertaking work he, or the office, will advise if it is a charge to the flat. If in doubt check with the office. Any recharge made is much cheaper than if
outside contractors are called in. Please find attached the procedure for using the in-house plumber. Make sure that your tenants are aware of this if your property is rented.The in-house plumber is on site Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, if you are having any plumbing works carried out within your flat we strongly advise you to have this carried out within these hours, this way if a problem does arise the in-house plumber should be able to assist you. If you carry out plumbing works at any other time and a problem does arise or a leak develops in any part of the plumbing within your flat for which you are responsible you will be charged for the resulting emergency call out and
We cannot guarantee that the in-house plumber will attend, you may then need to use an independent firm.
Several residents have enquired about the fitting of thermostatic valves; this is an individual flat owner liability and not a service charge item. The fitting of this can only be undertaken and completed whilst the heating system is off. Please consult with the in-house plumber (See item. 26)

COMMUNAL PIPES (Service Charge Liability)

The building is responsible, through the service charge, to maintain the communal installations. These are the supply pipes in the ducts to the flats, which serve hot and cold water and also central heating. The waste pipes in the stack are also communal.

INDVIDUAL LESSEE LIABILITY

Pipes individually serving one flat are the liability of that flat’s lessee. This includes waste pipes, hot and cold feed pipes from the Service duct, plus stopcocks to sinks, baths and basins, as well as the waste pipes from these fittings. Radiators and their valves are also the lessee’s individual liability and the pipe work once it leaves the main system.

RECOMMENDATION

If in doubt ask! Immediately report all leaks/faults to the desk for the in-house plumber. If you are having plumbing works carried out please check with the office and ALWAYS have the stopcocks checked first to ensure they work. If they do not, this must be your plumber’s first job. Any requests for water shut downs must be notified to the desk at least 24 hours in advance. We always try to accommodate such requests but no guarantees can be given.
Please ensure if you are considering changing your radiators that you are aware that the heating System here is an open system and that some radiators are not suitable.
We would advise that you or your contractor speak to the in-house plumber prior to undertaking any plumbing works within your property.

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22. Contractor guidelines

Section 22 – CONTRACTOR GUIDELINES

Please ensure if you have any contractors undertaking works to your property that you make them aware of these guidelines;

  1. No contractors’ vehicles (apart from those employed for the maintenance of Du Cane Court) are allowed to park in the inner courtyards without the express permission of the Manager.
  2. All deliveries of materials to be made through the rear entrance where the service lift is situated.
  3. All workmen to use this same entrance. Under no circumstances may workmen use the passenger lifts.
  4. All work to be carried out during normal working hours i.e. 8.30 am – 5 pm. Monday to Friday and Saturday morning until 1 pm. Sunday and Bank Holiday working is not permitted.
  5. Any work of a noisy nature i.e. hammering, drilling, sawing etc must be kept to a minimum and neighbours above and below should be notified in advance of such works of at least 24hrs minimum notice and if at all possible noisy works should be avoided on a Saturday. Please speak to Estate Office staff with regards to notifying neighbours.
  6. Re-furbishment works are not to be carried out on a Saturday.
  7. No sawing is to be carried out in any of the courtyards or corridors.
  8. The use of a Kangoo is strictly forbidden.
  9. To save the common parts from dirt, wear and tear etc, a dustsheet must be used outside the relevant flat door during working hours and then removed each day.
  10. It is not permissible to use either the common parts bin Store areas or passages for storage or working.
  11. The playing of transistor radios so as to be heard outside the flat is not allowed.
  12. The removal of all rubble, rubbish, etc relevant to the work is the responsibility of the contractor. It must be retained in the flat until removed from site.
    Arrangements for individual skips should be made with the Manager.
  13. No advertising boards may be placed anywhere in the curtilage of the building

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21. Gardens

Section 21 – GARDENS

a) Gardens are situated within all courtyards for the pleasure of all residents. Please respect them and leave them as you would wish to find them. Do not throw rubbish down – take it back to your flat or put it down the chutes. Please do not throw cigarette ends on the ground but dispose of them within the receptacles provided.
b) No Estate Agents’ boards may be erected in or around the grounds. Any found will be immediately removed.
c) No BBQ’s are allowed to be used anywhere on the Estate.

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20. Pest control

Section 20 – PEST CONTROL

A contract is held with a pest control company for the standard-type pests, i.e. mice, rats, Cockroaches, common cloth moths, ants, pharaoh’s ants and bed bugs. If you experience Such problems please advise the Estate Office.
Please act quickly on the suspicion of pest infestation to avoid an unnecessary outbreak.

Du Cane Court Guide for Owners and Tenants

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