Category Archives: Uncategorized

New Managing Agent – Update

A brief update on the change of Managing Agent

We are proceeding well with the onboarding process with KFH, and they are gradually getting the information they need from HML prior to their management services commencing on 1st October.

Remember that until that date HML are still the building managers.

As part of KFH’s onboarding process they will be contacting all owners directly in September to introduce themselves and provide all relevant contact and other details. They will also be arranging a meeting to introduce themselves and answer any questions you may have, and you will also hear from them directly regarding that. This will take place online in order that any owners who are not resident can also participate if they wish.

The Directors annual briefing will take place in early December as usual, and KFH will also be present at that.

Windows

This keeps coming up and so to clarify the situation again:

Window Repairs and Maintenance

All of the windows are owned by the freeholder, not individual lessees.

However, a quirk in the leases in regards to the large windows on the river side of the building means that owners are responsible for the opening part of the windows, and the freeholder for the fixed part.

Therefore:

If one of the FIXED glass panels in your windows needs replacing it is the responsibility of the freeholder, and you should contact the managing agent to arrange the work.

If the SLIDING part needs attention, whether for replacing glass or servicing/replacing rollers, locks or seals, then it is your responsibility.

In this case we suggest you contact a company called DMC who have carried out work on many of the windows in the building in the past:

tel: 0208 507 9306
office@doorwaymaintenance.com

You are of course free to use anyone else if you prefer.

Window Replacement

A question regarding replacing windows has also come up.

As the windows are owned by the freeholder it is not permitted to replace them without a Licence to Alter. Doing so without a Licence is a breach of the terms of your lease.

In addition the replacement of a window constitutes notifiable work under the Building Regulations. As the building exceeds 18 metres in height, this work cannot be self-certified by trade bodies such as FENSA but requires consent from the Building Safety Regulator. This must be obtained by the owner prior to the commencement of any work.

Carrying out notifiable work without the prior consent of the BSR is a criminal office under the Building Safety Act 2022, and RPFL, as Principal Accountable Person for the building, are required to report any such occurrence to the BSR.

A Licence to Alter will not be issued without this consent being in place.

Entryphone Replacement

Change of date – now Tuesday 4th instead of Monday 3rd

On Tuesday 4th March our entryphone is being replaced by a more modern system.  The current one is 26 years old and will shortly become obsolete as it relies on copper phone lines to work, which are being phased out.  The new system will offer new features not available on the old one, particularly if you use it with a smart phone.

– No works will be required in your flat.- Your key fob will continue to work as before.
– You can register up to three telephone numbers per flat to operate the system. These can be landlines or mobiles.
– On mobiles you can optionally install the IPGuard App, available on the Google Play and Apple App Stores. This will give you a video connection to the front door so that you can see and speak to whoever is calling and let them in.  It will also enable you to use your mobile to let yourself in through the front door if you don’t have your key fob with you.

Please complete the form that has been placed in your mailbox and return it to the caretaker to have your telephone(s) registered on the system. 

New Caretaker – Paul Lewis

We are pleased to announce that our new permanent caretaker, Paul Lewis, will be joining us next week, on Monday 24th February.

Paul is very experienced having worked in a range of similar posts including residential buildings, health facilities and Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club. In the course of that he has received training in Health & Safety, Customer Services and Manual Handling to name but a few.

Please join us in making him welcome, and remember that he is new to the building and will take a little while to get to know it.

Paul Secker will also be here on Monday 24th to assist in handing over, and we would like to thank him for his sterling work for us over the past couple of months.