Owners News Letter
Owners News 27 April 2010
The depth and extent of the financial deficit left by the former Company Director of Suttons Commercial (Brunswick Quay) Limited that accrued losses to owners between 1997 and 2008, in the order of £330,000 due entirely too financial mismanagement of funds. This only came to light, following the transfer of the Company in 2008. The financial condition of the Company is far from being resolved and funding of capital works projects has had to be considered carefully against the current service charge. The bottom line being that it will not cover the extent of capital expenditure required for the complex.
AE, have had to look carefully at the outgoing expenditure which required commercial decisions be made as to how funds would be allocated and prioritized. This has been carried out by identifying duties of care in respect of maintaining building insurances, general maintenance and Health and Safety issues in particular replacing and updating the electrical distribution boards in the blocks.
In early 2006 AEwere advised by their Building Surveyors that the lack of external maintenance of the timber elements on the complex, in particular window frames should, in their opinion, be regarded as beyond economical repair and would require replacing.
It was also advised that due to the quantity of windows involved a programme to replace all the windows was needed this would allow the Company to take advantage of savings due to the economy of scale.
The savings that can be achieved have, to some degree, have been undermined by individual owners carrying out unauthorized window replacements, resulting in a selection of individual styles being fitted to an unknown standard. As the external façade is not part of the owner’s responsibility in regard to maintenance of their property any replacement requires the authorization of AE's Building Surveyors. In the event that windows were found not comply with the appropriate standards, AE may seek reinstatement to the appropriate standard.
For major works to take place such as windows replacement etc, for this the company needs to put sufficient funds into place, this may result in a levy having placed on all owners to fund the works this can only be determined once tenders have been received for the works. Our Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Accountants will only then be able to determine the cost that every owner would need to pay.
On the 6th April 2005 new Health and Safety measures came into force in the form of the Working at Height Regulations 2005, these regulation effectively increased maintenance costs overnight by outlawing unsafe practices such as; man working above 2m without safety equipment to prevent a fall.
Our Surveyors are currently preparing tender documentation that will be sent out to invited contractors to submit prices for review and to draw up a programme to be agreed by AE and its Accountants and once this is in place the owners will be informed.
Owners News 14 May 2010
Ground Maintenance – Grass cutting has been delayed due to the contractors falling behind on their programme because of inclement weather.
Owners and residents who carry out maintenance although with good intention are reminded that AE will not accept any responsibility or liability for any injury or damage to persons or property as any such works carried out without the necessary risk assessments, insurances and authority or AE are undertaken at the risk of the instructing owner.
Owners News 23 May 2010
AE have appointed Critchleys Landscaping Ltd to carry out grounds maintenance on the main apartment complex and island block. The initial works to be carried out will involve getting the grounds into a manageable condition, this will include maintenance of the landscape planting, and pruning of shrubs and trees as well as grass cutting and general tiding up the current term allows for 12 site visits through the year.
Owner News 1 December 2010
We have had a report from the cleaning company who clean the common parts of the apartment blocks that an animal has been fouling in the common areas. Under the terms of the lease animals are not to be kept in the apartments and owners will be held liable for any damaged caused. We advise owners who rent out their properties that Landlord Insurance cover should be taken out as ordinary household policies may not cover damage caused by tenants in rented properties.
Owners News 15 July 2011
Anchorage Owners Association AGM
Friday 12 August 2011;
Venue: Novas CUC - Contemporay Urban Centre 41-51 Greenland Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 0BS
Room: The Cinema Starting at 6pm - Finishing at 8pm