SECURITY

Please ensure that the front doors are shut when leaving or entering the property. Do not allow strangers into the building. Ensure the bona fide nature of any delivery agent.

FIRE HAZARDS

​No potential fire hazard should be created (see Common Parts/Hallways and Loft Areas)

​NOISE

​Leaseholders and their sub-tenants should be considerate to neighbours and refrain from undue noise, especially between 21.00 and 08.00. Sound travels in the building, so please be considerate of your neighbours. Both internal noise (banging doors/cupboards) and external noise (entertaining on the balcony) can be heard and can disturb other residents.

SERVICE CHARGES

Service charges must be paid no later than the due date shown on the Demand in order for necessary works to proceed and contractors to be paid on a timely basis. In the event of a Leaseholder not complying with this requirement, interest charges will be levied in accordance with the strict terms of the Lease.

​SUBLETTING

​When subletting, Lessees are required to ensure that their tenants adhere to all the Rules and Regulations and the terms of the Lease. In addition to this, prior to sub-letting, the Lessee must provide commencement dates of the tenancy and ensure that the Managing Agents and the Caretaker are provided with emergency contact names and telephone numbers for the occupants (see also concerning Common Parts and Hallways).

It is important that the caretaker be given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to a tenant moving into or out of Handel Mansions, in order to ensure the lift and other areas are properly prepared.

CAR PARKING

Each lessee has the right to the exclusive use of allocated Parking Space(s) in the Garage for the purpose of parking a private motor vehicle. The lessee must park within the designated boundaries of the allocated space(s).

The visitors’ parking spaces are for the temporary parking of private motor vehicles (not exceeding three tonnes of gross laden weight subject to any Estate Regulations) belonging to daytime and/or overnight visitors to a lessee. They are available for lessees or visitors to use on a ’first come, first served basis’.

No vehicle parked in a visitors’ bay within the underground car park at some time during each day/night must remain for a period of more than 7 days. Longer use by the same vehicle is limited to 14 days within any calendar month, but with a gap of 7 days between any qualifying periods. These have been deemed reasonable periods of time for the fair use of the visitors’ bays.

No vehicle parked in the visitor’s bay outside the front of the building must remain for longer than a continuous four-day period.

Handel Mansions Management Company Limited will not tolerate the parking of private motor vehicles larger than three tonnes gross laden weight or commercial vehicles in the parking spaces provided for either Lessees or Visitors.

​VANDALISM/CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR

Any acts of vandalism or criminal behaviour must be reported to the police. (If the local police can build up a record of incidents, they will be in a better position to monitor the site/ estate at vulnerable times.)

SATELLITE DISHES AND AERIALS

The lease prohibits the installation of any external radio or television aerial or satellite dish without the express permission of the Board of HMMC in regard to its design and positioning.

EXTERNAL AIR CONDITIONING UNITS

External air conditioning units placed upon balconies can appear unsightly. Therefore, any leaseholder wishing to install such a unit on the balcony of their flat must first gain the approval of the Board of HMMC by providing drawings, photographs and other technical details to the Board, including with respect to the positioning of the unit.

INSURANCE CLAIMS (Buildings Insurance)

All damage/losses caused by an insured peril under the HMMC buildings insurance policy must be reported to Willmotts as soon as possible after the incident. Willmotts will arrange for a claim form to be sent to the lessee who suffered the loss. The lessee will be given instructions regarding completing and submitting the claim to the insurance brokers. There are insurance ‘excesses’ on the policy for which the leaseholder may be held liable if they are deemed responsible for the loss. In certain cases, if the leaseholder is deemed negligent, the management company may seek to pass on all the costs incurred.

WINDOWS

Any repairs or alterations to flat windows can only be done with the consent of the Management Company.

PETS (including cats and dogs)

(i) Domestic pets should be kept on leashes at all time when in the common parts – this includes the garden area

(ii) Leaseholders should not allow their domestic pets to foul the common parts or gardens

(see Common Parts/Hallways)

(iii) Leaseholders should ensure that their domestic pets do not make unreasonable levels of noise at any time

(iv) Leaseholders are responsible for the costs of repairing any damage to common parts caused by their domestic pets (see Common Parts/Hallways).

BICYCLES

Bicycles are to be stored in the bicycle store located in the garage. Bicycles should be labelled with the Owner’s name and address. The access code for this store should be obtained from the caretaker, Mick Roche. Bicycles should not otherwise be left in the garage, as they may cause damage to cars and are also exposed to potential burglars/thieves.

GARDENS

The gardens are for the peaceful enjoyment of residents only. The lease clearly states: “Not to use the garden and grounds of the Estate except for the purposes of rest and peaceful recreation and not to use the said garden and grounds or any balconies or patio areas for any ball or other noisy games or to play any music or use any sound reproduction systems whatsoever in or on them”.

BARBECUES

Barbecues on the terraces and balconies are considered a health and safety risk and are inconsiderate to those people living above. They are, therefore, prohibited.

LOFT AREAS

No equipment whatsoever (such as air conditioning units/Megaflos), or personal items, may be placed or stored in the loft spaces of the building; which is space owned by HMMC and not by any leaseholder, even if the only access is through a particular flat. The lessee will be held liable for any damage (for example, fire or flood) arising from any equipment or item placed in the loft area by a lessee or their sub-tenant. (Note: because it is constructed differently from other properties in Handel Mansions, this clause does not apply to Flat 11).

COMMON PARTS/HALLWAYS

Common parts and hallways are the property of HMMC. No items belonging to a leaseholder or sub-tenant (for example, prams, buggies, bicycles) may be placed in common parts or hallways of the building. Both for reasons of potentially causing an obstruction or inhibiting exit from the building (for example, in case of fire, or where a leaseholder or sub-tenant may be a wheelchair user) and inconveniencing other residents.

When moving furniture in or out of any flat, or when contractors are moving items in or out of any flat, care must be taken to ensure that there is no resultant damage to the structure or decoration of common parts/hallways/lifts. It is imperative that the lift protectors are used when moving in and out to protect the lifts’ interiors. These are available from the caretaker. And the caretaker will monitor and keep a record of residents moving in or out of the building/s.

The lessee of any flat responsible for causing damage to the building, or injury to another (as above), will be held responsible (including vicariously for their sub-tenant).

LAUNDRY

Laundry may not be dried or hung on the balcony (either front or back of the building). This is a strictly enforced covenant contained in the lease. Lessees must ensure sub-tenants are informed of this regulation and that they abide by it.

UTILITY CUPBOARDS

Utility cupboards (which contain meters /risers) located on each building landing must be kept clear at all times. In the event of an emergency, or if access is required, it is vital that contractors can gain easy admittance to these areas.

SMOKING

Smoking is prohibited in all common parts, including all lifts.

ACCESS TO FLATS

If you are away from the property for any long period please ensure you provide the managing agent with information as to who holds a key to your property, as access may be required in the event of an emergency.

DISPOSAL OF RUBBISH AND RECYCLING

All household rubbish must be disposed of in closed bags and taken directly to the bins in the underground garage. Under no circumstances must bags be left in the corridors or other communal areas.

The Management Company is making every endeavour to be environmentally friendly. There are various recycling facilities available at Handel Mansions, as follows:

(1) Plastic, tin & glass can be placed in the marked bins located at each end of the garage

(by the entry & exit vehicle gates.)

(2) Paper can be placed in the bins located in the garage, at each entrance to the lift/stair lobby.

​MAINTENANCE

In order to minimise the risk of leaks and protect insurance premiums we provide below some good practice guidelines which should be followed.

STOPCOCKS

If leaving the property for any extended period, it is important your stopcock is turned off to stop the water supply to your property. We also recommend the central heating and hot water are turned off.

Most stopcocks are located with your electricity and water meters in the riser cupboards on your landing.

If your stopcock is difficult to use, please contact Willmotts.

WASHING MACHINES, DISHWASHERS AND WATER SOFTENERS

Do not use washing machines or dishwashers when no one is present at the property or during the night whilst you are asleep.

It is recommended that old appliances are replaced.

Regularly check mains and waste connections to these appliances.

Please be vigilant, and if any leaks/drips of water are spotted, these should be attended to promptly.

MEGAFLO REGENERATION

Residents should be aware that the Megaflo boiler systems installed in each flat need to be regenerated at least every six months. This will enable their efficient usage and prevent the situation whereby the overflows leak onto the exterior of the building. If it is found that damage has occurred to the property due to the lack of maintenance of a Megaflo, the leaseholder may be held liable for any damage.

REDECORATING, MINOR REFURBISHMENT WORK AND MAJOR BUILDING WORK IN YOUR PROPERTY

RE-DECORATING (i.e. painting and minor repairs)

Is a requirement in every lease and should take place every 5 years. No special approval or licence is required for this, but Lessees should advise their immediate neighbours either that contractors will be working in the building or that DIY work will be taking place.

In either case please note that the Rules for Contractors which are attached will apply and will be enforced.

MINOR REFURBISHMENT WORK

Which might, for example, include the installation of new lights, replacing tiles or the refurbishment of a bathroom (without changing the layout) and which might involve some drilling and banging for up to 2 hours does not require special approval or a licence. However, all proposed changes to bathroom or toilet plumbing must be discussed and agreed with the Managing Agent before being implemented. There is a long history in Handel Mansions of water damage (resulting in large insurance claims) caused by badly planned and executed plumbing changes.

Lessees should advise their immediate neighbours if contractors will be working in the building; also, all neighbours in their Core if contractors will be using the lift. (See also Common Parts/Hallways.)

The Rules for Contractors (attached) apply and will be enforced.

MAJOR BUILDING WORKS

Which include changing the layout of a flat will require a Licence. Licences are issued by

Handel Management Company Limited. Article 12 of the lease states that:

“ Not at any time during the said term without the Licence in writing of the Lessor first obtained and upon payment of any fee required by the Lessor therefore to erect or place any additional wall, building or erection on any part of the Demised Premises and not without such licence as aforesaid to make any alteration in the plan or elevation of the demised premises or any part thereof or in any party walls or the principal or bearing walls or timbers thereof and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing not to alter any of the windows in the flat or the positioning thereof.”

Prior to a Licence being issued, planning permission, if applicable, must be obtained from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and detailed building plans must be submitted to the Managing Agent:

Willmotts Chartered Surveyors

12 Blacks Road Hammersmith London

W6 9EU

Please note that if high quality, professionally drawn plans are submitted with, for example, supporting documentation from a structural engineer, surveyor or qualified plumber, the approvals process can usually be dealt with quite speedily. Approximate, hand drawn plans will be rejected.

An inspection by a Chartered Surveyor appointed by Willmotts prior to any Licence being issued and work starting is mandatory, as is an inspection after the work has been completed. An interim inspection part way through the work program may also be required.

Willmotts will also require the proposed start and end date of the project, and other information which is contained in the Rules for Contractors (attached). These Rules will be strictly enforced.

No furniture, domestic appliances, carpets, flooring, bathroom equipment etc removed from a flat may be left in a car parking space, or otherwise in the garage. Arrangements must be made with the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, or a licensed private Contractor, to collect and dispose of such items immediately they are removed from a flat. (This is covered in more detail in the Rules for Contractors.)

The Board may ask for a deposit to be paid to HMMC prior to work commencing; so that, if required, repairs to the common parts can be made should the contractor damage the same.