Useful Information

 

Legal basis

Lansdowne House Management Company Limited was set up (incorporated?) in 1981, when the majority of the flats were transformed from freehold to leasehold properties.

 

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The company’s principal activity during the year is the management and administration of the communal areas of Lansdowne House.

 

• Management fee

The service charge is levied quarterly in advance by Standing Order.  It is the only income of the Company, without which the services cannot be provided or the property maintained.  Two reserves (see below) also need to be maiantained.

 

The management fee is calculated and levied per square metre, as per the lease.

 

The basic fee is set annually by the directors at the A.G.M.

 

In exceptional circumstances, an additional fee may be charged. This has to be agreed by a quorum of flat owners at an E.G.M.

 

• Services offered

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A general breakdown is as follows:

 

a)   Services of a maintenance manager

b)   General maintenance and repairs to the exterior fabric of the buildings

c)   General maintenance of the grounds, fencing, car parks and signs

d)   Maintenance of the halls, stairs, landings, lights and entry phone system.

e)   Maintenance of the TV and Radio Integrated Reception System

f)   Payment of electricity charges for the halls, stairs  and exterior lights.

• The services of a cleaner

• The cleaning of the halls, staircases and landings.

• The redecoration of interior and exterior stairways, balaconies and doors/gates.

i)    The cleaning of the windows (exterior & internal communal areas.)

j)    Accounting and auditing costs relating to the annual audit

k)   Solicitors advice and occasional services

l)    The services of the Mr Alan Hampson, the company secretary.

m)  Maintaining the General Reserve Fund for contingencies and major repairs and the Roofing Fund for the eventual repair or replacement of the roof.

 

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Currently, the directors of the Management Committee are:-

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Mr AR Hampson

Dr Sarah Bruce

Ms Kate Jury

Mr K Rose

Mr Ben Morfett

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These are non-renumerated posts.

Directors are elected at the A.G.M. Usually they are current or former flat owners. They must be up-to-date with their management fees (if applicable) to qualify for election.

Directors may resign at any time.

 

• Personnel employed

 

On a regular basis, we employ

• Handyman (vacant)

• Leroy (cleaner) – ACE Cleaning Services

• Paul Howard (gardener)

• MKM NorthWest(window cleaners)

 

On a more adhoc basis we employ

• Martin (gate repairs)

• Anthony& Tony Jackson (builders & roofers)

 

7.       Accountants

The Company employs the services of Berry Piggott & Co, Incorporated Financial Accountants, 222 Barton Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 9RD as accountants to audit its accounts, and make the financial report to Companies House.

 

8.       Service Charge/Maintenance

The service charge is levied quarterly in advance by Standing Order.  It is the only income of the Company, without which the services cannot be provided or the property maintained.  A general breakdown is as follows:

 

a)   Services of Mr Tony Williams (Maintenance Manager)

b)   General maintenance and repairs to the exterior fabric of the buildings

c)   General maintenance of the grounds, fencing, car parks and signs

d)   Maintenance of the halls, stairs, landings, lights and entry phone system.

e)   Maintenance of the TV and Radio Integrated Reception System

f)   Payment of electricity charges for the halls, stairs  and exterior lights.

g)   The cleaning of the halls, staircases and landings.

h)   The cleaning of the windows (exterior & internal communal areas.)

i)    The services of the Management Company Committee

j)    Accounting and auditing costs relating to the annual audit

k)   Solicitors advice and occasional services

l)    The services of the Mr Alan Hampson, the company secretary.

m)  Maintaining the General Reserve Fund for contingencies and major repairs and the roofing fund for the eventual repair or replacement of the roof.

 

9.       Selling or buying a Flat

If you put your flat up for sale, Lansdowne Management Company and Chetville Securities must be contacted by the solicitors acting for yourself and your purchaser.  This will ensure that full procedures relating to the property are transacted properly. 

 

No ‘For Sale Boards’ are to be displayed at the property; this is a requirement of the lease.

 

10.     Letting your Flat

The Freeholders permission must be obtained if you intend letting your flat.  It is important that the company is made aware through Lansdowne House Management Company as well as your own Solicitor if you are going to let your flat.  Please remember that if you do let your flat and your tenant is in breach of any conditions of the lease, then you will be liable for their misdemeanours.  This might involve you in legal costs.  It is possible to bring in a tenant and make them responsible, but only if the correct legal procedures are followed.

 

The Leas stipulates that no signs are to be displayed on the property or on a flat and this includes advertisements, and all For Let and For Sale signs.  Please also ensure that your Tenants and new Tenants have a copy of this General Information Document, which is obtainable from the Management Committee.

 

Clause re renting to a family unit

 

1. Refuse Collection

Manchester City Council arrange for a weekly collection of general household refuse.  For Health & Safety do not leave rubbish in the hallways/balconies/staircases/car park/communal space.  Please take these items to the bin store situated in the corner of the car park to the rear of the property (by the garages).  All refuse should be wrapped before putting it into the bins in the interest of health and hygiene.  Please ensure that when one bin is full that the other bins are utilised.   Rubbish left on the floor will not be taken.

 

Please also ensure that any contractors’ rubbish is removed by the contractors and not left by the bins or you will be charged for its removal.

 

Manchester City Council also operates a separate item collection service, and can be contacted to arrange a collection on 0161 954 9000.  All discarded major household items such as furniture, mattresses, and kitchen machinery must be individually labelled with the flat number, the name of the item, Job number and date that it is to be collected by the Manchester City Council.

 

12.     Car Parking

Parking space is very limited and is restricted to permit holders only and ONE vehicle per flat.

Please park with care and consideration

Residents (Red)

·    Access by security number

·    Access to car park 24 hours per day

·   Parking for one vehicle only per flat

·    Park in marked spaces only subject to availability of space

                        Visitors/tradesmen must display visible sign showing flat destination

·    No Parking in Emergency Access Areas

·    It is hoped that the issue of the permits will alleviate the parking problems.  Unauthorised use of the car park may force us, as a last resort, to utilize the services of a Clamping Company

·    For Information

The shops are limited to ONE vehicle per unit between 9.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday only and are issued with a Blue LH Parking Permit

Residents of 1,3 & 5 South Road and the Garages have access only over the car park and are issued with a Green LH Parking Permit

 

 

13.     Structural Alternations

            All flat-owners are reminded that the Management Company and Leaseholder MUST be notified of ANY major structural works carried out on flats, ESPECIALLY window-replacements and removal of internal walls.  A method statement should be prepared by the contractor and approved by the Management Company and Landlord (Freeholder) BEFORE the work is carried out.

 

14.     Painting and Repairs to Window Frames

The external painting of the flats is the responsibility of the Management Company.  Maintenance and repairs of window frames however, are the responsibility of Flat Owners.  It is in the interest of all Flat Owners that the overall appearance of the flats remains of a high standard and we would ask that Flat Owners deal with window repairs and replacements as soon as this becomes necessary.

 

Please note that where window frames are replaced, these must correspond with the existing frames and the Lansdowne House Profile, and must not in any way alter the external appearance of the building (the original window frames were made by Crittalls and the company is still in existence).

 

15.     Gardens

The gardens are maintained by a gardener who visits monthly.  All the gardens are open to residents.  However, we would ask you to use care and consideration in the use of the gardens and to keep to the footpaths and off the grass as much as possible.  We would also ask that children are not allowed to cause any damage to the borders or plants on the site.  Please do not throw cigarette ends or litter in the gardens or allow pets to foul the paths.  Barbecues are not permitted in the gardens and grounds. The gate between and garden and courtyard (for security) must be kept locked at all times.

 

17.     Noise

Residents often say that they like living at Lansdowne House because it is quiet.  To maintain this you are asked to ensure that noise, particularly at night, is kept to a minimum.  That no piano, stereo, radio loudspeaker or mechanical (eg. washing machines), vacuum cleaners) or musical instrument should be played between the hours of 11.00pm and 09.00am. At all times keep the floors of the premises covered with carpet  rugs or other similar materials in order to reduce and keep to a minimum any noise which might distract or annoy the owners tenants or occupiers of adjoining premises. Please show consideration for your neighbours.

 

Contractors working in your flat should also adhere to the above times to keep noise levels to a minimum.

 

 

18.     Fire and Safety

Please note that no bicycle, pram, invalid carriage or similar vehicle shall be kept in any other place except the inside of the flat.  All communal areas must be kept clear.

In the event of fire or smoke

• Dial 999 and call the Fire Brigade.Tell them the address and block number

• Use a suitable fire extinguisher if the fire is small

• Shut the door of your flat and remember to take your keys

• Evacuate the building and assemble in the front service road.

• Do NOT return to the building until the Fire Brigade confirm it is safe to do so.

• Report to the management and malfunction of fire/smoke alarms.

• Fire notices are displace in each entrance hall

• Evacuation procedure

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20.     Integrated Reception System

A new Digital Integrated TV and Radio Reception System capable of receiving Sky Plus was installed in 1977. If you are receiving satellite TV, you can have an extension wire fitted from your set top box to a second TV receiver so that two satellite channels can be viewed simultaneously.  This would mean that one channel could be viewed whilst another channel is being recorded.  This extension wire is to be fitted at the Residents own cost and be located internally within the flat, and not placed around the outside of the building.  Aerial wires of the IRS system that have been plumbed in through the walls to the flats from outside must not be removed or redirected.

 

A special licence is required from the Board of directors to fit an independent aerial satellite dish and its wiring for the purpose of receiving foreign television using a different satellite.  Particular arrangements apply to this installation, which also requires supervision by an agent of the Board.

 

Residents are reminded that they or their contractors must not place external fittings on or in the walls of Lansdowne House, or go up on to the roofs without written permission and supervision from the Board of Directors

 

21.     Security

Please ensure that the front and rear doors are always closed after use. 

• In the event of the front door self-closing mechanism not working, please report this to the Secretary.

• In the event of your door entry phone not working or the outside door release not operating properly then please contact theCompany Secretary.

• If it is necessary for a door to be propped open temporarily for deliveries, then please make sure that the door is not left unattended.We would as that the doors are not kept open for the convenience of your contractors.

• When answering the door entry system please make sure of the safe identity of the caller before operating the door release.

• In the interests of security to the garages, cars andproperty, we would ask all residents to be vigilant and aware, and report any suspicious person or situations to the police.

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22.     Other Issues

• No clothes or household linen or other washing shall be hung out or exposed for drying at the windows of the flat or any other part of the property (see Lease Section).

• Please ensure that junk mail and mail addressed to the previous occupant of your flat is disposed of by you and not left to litter the hallways.

• In the interests of safety there is a in the hallways.

• Front and rear balconies must be kept clean and tidy

 

23.     Summary

The Directors are committed to ensuring that Lansdowne House continues to be a pleasant place in which to live, and we have no doubt that you will join us in wishing this to continue.  The rules and regulations in the Lease are there solely to ensure that this is maintained.  The Directors reserves the right to make changes in these arrangements within the terms of the Lease and in the terms of the Articles and Memorandum of Association of the Company

 

January 2023