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Weymede Resident
Society Fact Sheet
WEYMEDE –
RESIDENTS’ OBLIGATIONS
A. Introduction
1. The Weymede Estate – consists of 141 houses and 148 garages (built
1963 – 1966 by Span) situated in more than 15 acres of beautifully landscaped
parkland including a large area of fenced off, private riverbank. The estate is
adjacent to historic Brooklands, best known for its world famous racetrack and
ground breaking aviation developments. Most of Weymede is owned collectively by
the householders and includes about half a mile of private roadway together with
several garage compounds, well over a mile of formal paths, numerous large mown
grass open spaces and many hundreds of trees and shrubs. The estate is
responsible for it’s own drainage and lighting. However, the spine road is owned
and maintained by the local council.
B. Legal
Commitments of Householders
2. The Society – the purchaser of a house on Weymede is legally obliged
to become a member of the Society and, as an equal shareholder, must covenant
him/herself (and his/her tenants) to observe the Regulations, Covenants and
terms and conditions of the Scheme of Management. (“Forty years of experience
has shown that the legally enforceable Management Scheme is an effective method
of retaining coherence and the character of the place. Of equal importance, is
that everyone should appreciate why the obligations are significant. That is, an
understanding of the value of the estate; its history, architectural
significance, its landscape and the cultural history and relevance today.” -
from ‘The Spirit of Span Housing’ by Dr James Strike, 2005).
3. Legal Obligation of all Householders – the Regulations are intended to
make living on Weymede as pleasant as possible whilst, at the same time,
upholding the basic design principles (including those modifications that have,
subsequent to the completion of Weymede, been legally approved and registered)
that make this award winning estate unique. This, in turn, helps ensure
continuity of standards as well as protecting the principle design features in
order that future generations of residents will also benefit from them (see
addendum item *1 – a and b). As with listed buildings or buildings in
Conservation areas, residents of Weymede do not have an automatic right to
demolish or redesign external elements of their properties (e.g. bin sheds) just
because they own them and nor can they replace existing features, such as
fencing, with alternative types or styles. All such replacements and alterations
must conform to the basic design styles laid down by the original architects and
developers. Clearly, individuals either not willing or not wishing to uphold
these legally binding obligations should not move onto the estate. However, if
they do, then they must accept that appropriate action will be taken by the
committee, acting on behalf of all house owners and in accord with their legal
obligations, to enforce the rules/covenants and to reclaim costs from those who
breach the conditions.
4. Management of the Estate – this is the responsibility of the Society
(the collective body of householders) who are required to run Weymede in accord
with the Scheme of Management laid down under the terms of the Leasehold Reform
Act 1967 as approved and registered by the High Court in 1974. Copies of the
scheme should be kept with the house deeds for each property and their contents
(particularly those relating to each householders obligations) should be made
known to purchasers by their solicitors before the acquisition is completed. The
Society is responsible for implementing the terms of the scheme and will,
therefore, take whatever action is necessary to enforce compliance by its
members if infringements/violations take place. Obviously, however, it’s to be
hoped that the majority of members will be supportive of upholding the rules and
will therefore help the committee to manage the estate in an appropriate manner.
5. Management Committee – in accord with the Society’s legal obligations,
a Committee of residents is elected each year at the AGM to take responsibility
for the day-to-day management of the estate. They have specific responsibilities
for controlling the finances and ensuring that the Society’s obligations are
carried out effectively, efficiently and in the interests of all the members.
The offices consist of the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer with other members
covering areas such as gardens, painting, maintenance etc.
In the absence of sufficient volunteers to make the committee viable then the
estate residents are required by law to appoint commercial land agents to take
over the formal management scheme. This would be far more expensive than current
arrangements and it would almost certainly result in considerable friction
between householders and estate managers.
6. Finance – all residents pay a maintenance charge to the Society either
monthly or quarterly in advance. The amount is fixed at the Society’s AGM held
in November each year and the preferred method of payment is by Standing Order.
(Note: The Society has no involvement or responsibilities in respect of the
ground rent payments of Leaseholders). The maintenance charge covers external
painting, window cleaning and upkeep of all communal parts of the estate
including roads, paths, lighting, drains, gardens and riverbank. In cases where
services such as drains are situated within the boundaries of privately owned
property then their maintenance is the responsibility of that owner.
7. Common Responsibilities – there is a restrictive lease covering all
Weymede properties regardless of whether or not a house is leasehold or
freehold. An important feature of this is the prohibition of any change to the
construction or appearance of the houses, garages and common areas (see addendum
*1- a to d).
Exceptions to the above can only be allowed or introduced by the formal
agreement of householders through a set legal procedure (see addendum *2). For
example, as a result of a referendum held in 1990, the Society now permit the
replacement of wooden windows and doors by UPVC ones on the condition that only
authorised profiles, materials and colours are used. Failure to use specified
styles and materials could render the householder liable for violation of the
lease agreement leading to enforcement action, which could be very expensive so
it pays to make sure that changes conform to the correct specification. Copies
of the authorised profiles and recommended suppliers are obtainable from the
Secretary.
8. Sub-letting – the lease agreement specifies that the whole house may
be let on a furnished tenancy for a period not exceeding three years in any
four-year period unless an extension is specifically agreed with the committee.
Furthermore, tenants cannot sub-let and the house can only be used as a private
dwelling in one single-family occupation.
9. Garages – these can only be transferred or sold to other householders
on Weymede. They are painted every three years in accord with the estates
painting cycle but the garage owner is responsible for keeping it in a state of
good repair. Failure to do so can result in the committee instigating the
necessary works and reclaiming the costs from the owner. No alteration to either
the construction or appearance of the garage is allowable and, therefore,
replacement doors must match the style and design of the originals. Catnic
Garador makes the up and over doors and spares (e.g. keys) can be obtained
through most major builders merchants such as Jewsons or Travers Perkins.
Conversely, a good source of on-line supplies is www.garage-door-spares.co.uk/garador.
The lock has a number stamped on it near the keyhole. However, if items of value
are stored in garages then owners/occupiers are advised to fit additional
padlocks.
C. Specific Issues
10. External Painting – this is carried out on a three-year cycle with a
third of the houses and garages being painted each summer. Householders are
notified in advance and a contractor appointed by the Committee, after inviting
tenders from several firms, carries out the work. It’s the owner’s
responsibility to ensure that the woodwork is in good condition and that rotted
timber (including gates, fencing and garage doors) is replaced prior to the
painter commencing work. For an extra payment by the householder the contractor
will normally be prepared to burn off the old paint but this needs to be
arranged in advance. Failure to maintain premises in good repair can result in
the appropriate action being arranged by the committee at the owner’s expense.
See addendum *1 d).
11. Service Charge Refunds – this is a discretionary payment, awarded to
owners of houses where all or partial window/door units have been replaced with
UPVC in accordance with regulations and which do not require painting. The
refund is calculated on the basis of the amount of wood left to be painted and
is made at the end of the Society’s financial year (September) for those falling
within that sector of the three year cycle. The payment is made to whosoever is
the legal owner of the house on 30th September in the year in question. However,
payment will be withheld where owners are in breach of covenants especially
those relating to disrepair. It is the homeowner's responsibility to apply for
the rebate and an application form will be put through the door of the house at
the time of the painting.
12. Gardens – maintenance of the communal grounds, riverbank and front
gardens is contracted to a firm of landscape gardeners. A compound for garden
refuse only is situated at the west edge of the estate near to House 26.
Non-organic waste must not be dumped here. Water taps for cleaning cars etc can
be found in each garage forecourt.
Most two-storey houses have a small area in front, which is part of the estate
grounds and not the owner’s property. Maintenance of these areas is the
responsibility of the contractor and no unauthorised planting or sowing is
permitted. In particular, the landscape design for the estate specifies that
these areas should be planted with non-flowering shrubs and plants. Flowers and
bulbs are not, therefore, appropriate or permitted. However, householders are
encouraged to discuss individual concerns with the gardens representative on the
committee.
13. Window Cleaning – this is carried out monthly and a slip is put
through the door each time the windows are cleaned in order that problems can be
raised with the appropriate committee member.
14. Roads, paths, Lights and Drains – the main spine road (but not the
adjoining footpath and verges) running from the entrance as far as house 60 is
adopted and maintained by the council. All other roads, paths and garage
forecourt areas plus the lighting, sewers, drains and gulleys are the
responsibility of the Society.
15. Car Parking – the number of cars on Weymede has increased over the years
and there are now more cars than garages. The parking bays around the estate are
for the use of residents and visitors. There is no allocation or priority
attached to these bays. Long term and overnight parking should be in garages
wherever possible and all cars on the estate must be properly licensed/taxed or
they will be removed. Cars must not be parked on grassed areas since this causes
damage and is inappropriate. All drivers are urged to respect the 5mph speed
limit and to be alert to children on the roads.
16. Television and external fixtures – it is not permitted for TV
aerials, satellite dishes or other fitments to be attached to the walls of
houses above fence height. All houses on the estate are served by Ntl cable, an
arrangement negotiated by the Society some years ago as a replacement for the
central aerial. In recent years, a blind eye has been turned to the erection of
sensor controlled security lighting above wall height. Unfortunately, this has
led to a Pandora’s box of often unsightly and inappropriate fittings. Therefore,
the committee are looking to formalise this by passing an appropriate resolution
at an AGM and then issuing guidelines as to style, type and colour of
installation permissible
17. Refuse – the Woking council contractor calls on Wednesdays. Black
lidded bins are provided for domestic refuse and blue lidded ones for paper etc.
and each colour bin is emptied on a two week cycle. It is the householders
responsibility to store the bins within the curtilage of his/her property and
they must not be left in communal areas other than on collection day. The
committee will arrange for the removal of bins that are repeatedly left in
communal areas and householders will then have to find alternative means of
handling their refuse disposal. Council road sweeping is carried out at 10-week
intervals on the spine road only. All other roads are the responsibility of the
estate.
18. Riverbank – the gates to the riverbank are kept locked to deter
non-residents from using our private grounds as well as to provide a safety
measure for children. Outgoing owners should hand on the key(s) and there is a
charge for replacements.
19. Neighbourhood Watch Scheme – this is operated under the auspices of
the Surrey Police. It’s designed to foster a community spirit so that everyone
can contribute to the protection of their own and their neighbour’s property
through mutual cooperation and communication. An email address will be set up
specifically for the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator and details will be posted
on the Weymede website.
20. Fishing Rights – the Society owns the freehold of the land along the
west bank of the River Wey north from the Plough Road Bridges to a bend in the
river where a drainage ditch enters. The stretch north of our enclosed estate is
rented to the Byfleet Anglers Association but Weymede residents enjoy free
access. Those wishing to fish along this stretch should ask for a free permit
from the secretary since bailiffs patrol the river. Fishing within the estate is
for the exclusive, free use of residents and their guests albeit a rod licence
is still obligatory by law. Rod licences (day or full) can be obtained from
either the Post Office or on-line through the Environment Agency.
21. Play areas – young people must not be left to play unsupervised on
the riverbank since the current in the River Wey can be quite strong. The
Society has passed a bye-law prohibiting ball games on any part of the estate
apart from the area of the riverbank designated for this purpose (i.e. the South
end).
22. Newsletter – the Society circulates a Newsletter every few months and
residents are invited to use this to air views etc. Furthermore, householders
should feel free to contact any member of the committee on any subject that
concerns their residency. Comments or questions should be put in writing. Those
interested in contributing to the running of the society by serving on the
committee should give the Chairman their details and ask to be advised when a
vacancy occurs.
23. Website - Weymede has its own website run by a member
of the Committee. The site address is
www.weymede.co.uk. Here
you will find information about the estate in general including information on
future events, work being carried out, public notices and even items and
services wanted or available. The site also provides an opportunity for
residents to air their views which may be of interest to others.
Please note: For those interested in the historical background of Span Housing
Developments a small book is available, price £10. Details from the secretary.
Addendum:
The following relate primarily to, or are extracts from, the Covenants and terms
of the Scheme of Management:
*1 – a) The estate should be maintained, “substantially in the form laid out at
the completion of the development” and the society should not “cause or permit
any alteration to be made to the estate….”
- b) “Nothing shall be done that may alter the construction or external
appearance of or damage the house or any other part of the estate whether by the
erection of structures including any aerial…..”. Note: this section includes
integral, fixed design features such as bin sheds, style of all fencing and
garden gates, colour and type of bricks used in walls, etc
- c) “No vehicle standing higher at any point than 5 feet 6 inches….or bearing
any sign or advertisement…..shall be parked….within the estate…..”.
- d) “The owner shall keep the premises in good repair…..and maintain the walls
and fences…..make good within three months …..any defect in repair or decoration
for which the owner is responsible and the Society has given notice.” (Note:
this includes all masonry, doors, windows, bargeboards, garages, gates and
fences). Should the owner choose not to act upon a request of this nature then
the committee has the legal right to arrange for the work to be undertaken at
the owner’s expense.
*2 – Most of the rules mentioned in this note can be changed if an appropriate
resolution is made either at an AGM where amendments must be carried by
three-fourths of the votes given or at a special general meeting where at least
two thirds of the votes cast must be in favour of the change. Special General
Meetings can be called at any time by the committee or if formally requested by
at least 10% of the shareholders. An application to formalise any such
arrangements must then be made to the Registrar as prescribed by Treasury
Regulations. No amendments are valid until their registration has been approved.
September 2006
We sincerely hope you will enjoy living
here at Weymede. Do feel free to contact any member of the management committee
on any subject that concerns you residency here. Please put your question or
comments in writing (as opposed to calling), as some members and/or their
partners work unsocial hours and shift duties. If, in the future, you would like
to contribute to the running of the Society by serving on the committee please
give the Chairman your details and ask to be advised when a vacancy occurs.
Weymede Residents Society Limited
Note: Please note that all the above is
part of the Covenant and Regulations covering the estate. We recommend that
these are read and understood. For more details on the Covenants,
click here
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