NEWS

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This goes out to residents/owners at Sandown Lodge by email where possible, by hand otherwise and is posted here in the News section on our website www.sandownlodge.org.uk.

A warm welcome this month to new arrivals in blocks A and G. We hope our Residents’ Handbook (available to download from the Resources page of our website) can answer any questions you may have.

DOOR SURVEY

 This was completed between 6-14 January. Thank you to block reps and each of you for your support. The results are now being compiled as a first step in planned common parts refurbishment, with detailed proposals to be submitted for discussion at our next AGM in July. 

NEW PROPERTY MANAGER

 Long-term Barts manager Juan Antelo has moved to a new role. We wish him well and thank him for almost seven years of looking after us so well. His replacement, Nicole Di Martino, took over this month. We look forward to working with her. 

REGULAR VISITOR PARKING LISTS 

As previously advised, these expire in March and will need to be renewed. We are asking our block reps to assist with assembling everyone’s new visitor lists from April.

When ANPR arrived last May, we were heavily reliant on our lists. These days, most of the estate has direct online access for one-day permits, and this has proved a more manageable approach for family/friends visiting less frequently.

Current guidance is that, in most cases, a regular visitor list of no more than 5-6 is easier to keep track of, and that relying thereafter on one-day permits for less frequent visitors works well. There will of course always be exceptions, and the system is flexible enough to meet special cases.

Please have a think about who you may want to put on your regular visitor list from April, and we will arrange renewal with each of you over the coming weeks. 

SERVICE CHARGES

We try hard to minimise increases but need to allow for inflation. The board has agreed a 2.5% increase this year, to take effect from April. We hope you will accept the necessity.

Please note that a change in Barts’ accounting software means service charge requests will come from a different email address in future - no-reply@resident.uk.com. Please keep an eye on your spam folder!   

RESIDENTS' HANDBOOK  

This is perhaps the most important document of all for the estate. Awareness of its contents is important for us all – whether renting, owning, long-established or newly arrived.

Your 2025 edition is now available for download from the Resources page of the website www.sandownlodge.org.uk – changes to contacts, parking and broadband mean more updates than usual this year.

For those who still like to keep hard copies, a separate download of the updated sheets is available. If you need help with printing, please just ask.

Last, not least...

OUR WHATSAPP GROUP... 

… continues to go from strength to strength. All kinds of useful information is shared these days, from rogue deliveries to local events to birthday updates and more. If you would like to join, just ask.

Thank you for reading this update.  

Your directors 

Terry Davey (flat 53), Tony Green (flat 47), Richard Grace (flat 10), Andrew Humphreys (flat 26) and Paul Stokes (flat 41)