Tree News

Trees - to be update with new trees to be planted in courtyard 5

In recent years we have lost several trees due to their poor condition or where they were causing damage to adjacent structures. We have planted the following replacement trees:

At the back of Block 1 we lost a fine old willow tree due to decay. The stump is fighting back and we will keep it as a coppiced feature.

Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
 

The large lime tree in Courtyard 1 was felled because it was causing damage to the garages.

Crab Apple (Malus 'Van Eseltine')
 

At the back of Courtyard 2 this crab apple fills the gap left by the felling of the large silver maple in the Shaef Way garden.

Crab Apple (Malus "John Downie")
 

Three weeping pear in Courtyard 4 had reached the end of their useful life and were replaced with two of the following:

June Berry (Amelanchier Lamarckii)
 

A cherry tree was felled in Courtyard 5 because it was damaging the garden wall. This dogwood was planted in the bed outside the courtyard.

Dogwood (Cornus var. Chinensis)
 

External Re-painting — Next due in 2025

Owners of all properties are responsible for the regular maintenance of their windows and doors (common areas will be done by TGML). The lease stipulates that this work be carried out every 4 years.

Unless specifically agreed by TGML work must be carried out in the following years, ideally between May and September or as weather permits:

2025

2029

2033

If you intent to do the work yourself or pay a contractor to do the work we have prepared requirements and specification that should be followed.

The painting specification can be found here and also in Word format

Gas Safety Regulations - January 2013

The Health and Safety Executive has announced new regulations for Gas Safety Flues, which came into effect from January 2013.

The reason for the new requirements is to enable Gas Safety Engineers to check the safety of flues, which take fumes away from the boiler that could lead to Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

From 1 January 2013, if you have a boiler that is room-sealed and has a fan-assisted flue you must have inspection hatches or access panels within 1.5metres of each flue joint so that gas engineers can check the boiler flue joints when servicing or repairing your boiler.

Room-sealed, fan-assisted boilers are relatively modern (since 2000), so if your boiler is of the older open-flue type without a fan then, as long the engineer can perform the normal safety checks on the boiler flue, the new rules should not affect you.

We have confirmed with Johnson & Starley - the original equipment manufacturers, that our systems, as originally installed, are not of that type and so are not affected by the legislation.

Having said that, it would be wise for all residents to check what system they currently have as many have been altered over the years since the estate was built.

In any case, boilers should be checked and serviced regularly by a competent Gas Safe registered engineer.

Here is a link to the Gas Safe web-site for more detailed information and links to Gas Safe engineers:

www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/flues_in_voids.aspx

Garages

The following Policy statement was agreed at the 2012 AGM.

1. TGML will with the consent of the leaseholder/s of the garage/s concerned continue to make essential repairs to the garages on behalf of the leaseholders which TGML deem necessary for the foreseeable future. Each repair will be considered against the objectives of safety and maintaining the garage function as well as the Budget for the year. The decision of TGML will be final.
2. The leaseholder may under some circumstances be required to make a claim on their insurance before such work is carried out and any insurance excess due under the policy will be paid by the leaseholder.
3. TGML will also continue to undertake the repainting of the garage doors as and when they feel it necessary and in compliance with the lessee's requirements under the lease.
4. This policy statement in no way affects the rights of leaseholders to carry out maintenance and repairs to their garages at their own expense or arrange for repairs to be carried out through their insurance.
5. TGML will not undertake any repair to garage doors or garage door furniture nor any repair to any part of the garage rendered necessary by acts of criminal, malicious or accidental damage.
6. TGML will not consider any retrospective claims for reimbursement in any circumstances. A vote was taken on whether to adopt the policy statement with all those members present in favour and none against.

Individuals could continue to undertake repairs to their own garages if they wished, but were asked to inform the Managing Agents if they were planning to do so.

Garage Doors

If you need to replace a Garage Door, a near original replacement to those used in the garage blocks is model 'Europa' made by Cardale. May now be called Haven Steel with Safelift+

The Cardale Helpline is on 0800 581082 or visit their web site - http://www.cardale.com/

For garage door spares and repairs:

Myers Garage Doors
Mr Ian Myers
Tel: 0800 002 9370
Website: myersgaragedoors.co.uk

Wessex Garage Doors
The Old Fire Station (opposite Garrets Lane)
Brighton Road, Banstead
Surrey. SM7 1BS

Tel: 01737 373 444 or call 0800 161 3733
info@wessexgaragedoors.co.uk
www.wessexgaragedoors.co.uk

Dino Doors
Tel: 8892 1111 or 8755 3455
Email: doors4garages@aol.com
www.dinodoors.co.uk

Access Garage Doors Ltd,
320 West Barnes Lane, Motspur Park, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 6NB
Tel 020 8942 3186
crawley@accessgaragedoors.com
www.accessgaragedoors.com

If you replace your garage door we suggest you choose a factory sprayed option in a green shade to match the present colour doors. If not you will need to have the doors painted on installation with Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior Gloss colour 'Hollybush'.

Double Glazing

Owners wishing to replace the original metal frame windows by approved double glazing may do so ONLY after first obtaining the written consent of the Lessor before you begin any works. It is important that we ensure that a consistent style and quality is used thought out the estate. One company that has met these criteria is System 2000:

System 2000
50 Wheatsheaf Lane
Staines, TW18 2PE
Tel: 01784 441444

This company has been used by a number of residents and is recommended to accurately match the look of the original metal frame windows used on the Estate.

Other companies that have come to our attention are listed below. Please note our aim is to ensure that all the windows on a block all look the same. So it would be deemed better to match your adjacent neighbour's window pane layout than be true to the original window units.

Novaglass
86 High Street, Shepperton
Middlesex, TW17 9AU
Contact: Brian Wernham Tel: 01932 224362 Fax: 01932 225020

Visit their web site for more information - http://www.novaglass.co.uk/

Knight's Glass
7 The Parade
Staines Rd West
Sunbury-on-Thames, Middx.
Tel: 01932 783479/780046
Visit their web site for more information - www.knightsglass.co.uk

Ultralux Window Systems
84 High Street
Whitton
Twickenham, Middlesex. TW2 7LS
Tel: (020) 8894 4540/1 and 0800 454355 Fax: (020) 88933857

If double glazing is to be fitted to 2 bed properties, in the interests of preserving the look of the estate consideration should be given to retaining the original coloured front door.

Hardwood Flooring

We are getting an increasing number of complaints about domestic noise caused by the the popularity of replacing carpets with hard wood flooring. If you are considering carrying out this work on your property your flooring MUST NOT cause nuisance to your neighbours.

If you do proceed, do ensure that:

• a sound insulation layer is be placed under hard floor coverings that conforms to the relavant National Building Specification
• the flooring does not go all the way to the walls or edge insulation must be installed
• no nails to be used into the subfloor
• Parquet must not be glued to the subfloor

Remember!
That under the terms of the Lease if you take all the precautions above about preventing noise nuisance but your neighbours still make a valid complaints about noise, you do have to remove the floor.

Page last amended: Sat 30 Mar 2024