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.

This month, an enormously sad farewell to Vic Dyer who died in December. As block B rep and in many other ways over the years Vic gave so much to the estate and will be greatly missed. Our condolences go to Ros and family.

On a happier note, we welcome a small addition in flat 68. Jake (a brother to Finn) arrived just before Christmas. We also welcome back some returning faces in block D, and a returning family in block F, both after some years of renting their respective flats. 

Spectacular tree failure 

Christmas Eve was enlivened by the collapse of one of our Avenue Road horse chestnuts. Happily, we escaped material damage to people or property. The cause appears to have been honey fungus. Our tree specialist arranged urgent tomography testing of remaining chestnut trees and has cleared them as safe for now (phew) although sadly there is evidence of damage and he recommends phased replacement. We will keep you posted. 

Residents' Handbook 2026 - out now!   

Have you ever wondered about our history, or the names of our (remaining) trees? Our residents’ handbook contains everything there is to know about Sandown Lodge. Contact numbers and other changes, like all-important rule amendments, get updated each year. 

The 2026 edition is now available to download from the Resources page of the website. A lot of work goes into each year’s handbook, please read through and stay up to date.

H&S/FRA - a bit sooner this year    

We pay for independent triennial health & safety/fire risk assessments. This year’s check is being brought forward to March to mesh with the common parts renewal project. Please note - among other things, assessors check for prams/bikes/walkers left in common parts areas and loose storage in the garage. Negative findings can impact our insurance and complicate sale legalities. Please note and abide by handbook rules.

Common parts renewal - ceiling holes?   

Doors, ceilings, wiring, entry systems are all included in the common parts project. We need to finalise each different specification by March and then secure quotations by May, ready for statutory S20 and AGM sign-off come July. Lots of research and contractor meetings have already been happening. 

A warning - our ceilings are sixty years old, and replacement may require holes in ceilings across the estate beforehand to clarify options. Apologies if this diminishes appearance for a while, we hope temporary disruption will prove worth it in the end.

Emergency key holders - now updated  

Thank you to all who updated emergency contact details in November, with particular thanks to our block reps for making it happen. This matters. If disaster should strike while you’re away, having a local key-holder available can save you the cost of a new door. 

Happily, we now have updates for almost 95% of the estate. If you’re one of the five or so who didn’t manage to update, please talk to your block rep.

Care support - long-standing carer available

Denise has worked happily and successfully for several residents over the years and asks us to mention that she currently has some availability. If interested, let us know so we can put you in touch.

Parking - regular visitor list renewal from 1 April  

Regular visitor lists expire at the end of March and need renewing. During February and March, block reps will be delivering letters asking for your 2026-27 lists. Please get these back to your block rep by 20 March so we can get them into the system for 1 April to avoid parking tickets.

Service charge increase from April - apologies    

No-one likes price increases, and we work hard to keep service charges as low as possible but sadly we can’t fight inflation. After much work on the numbers, the board has set a 3% increase from April this year. Property manager Barts will be sending out the new payment applications in March. If you pay by standing order, please remember to adjust the amount from April.

NB. Service charge funds are held in trust for all who own flats on the estate. It’s your money and we enthusiastically welcome questions about custodianship. If at any time you feel you would like to know more about ‘behind the scenes’ annual budgets, daily cash management, long-range forecasts and service charge planning, do please get in touch. 

Talking of which - thinking of selling?    

A hard-working couple currently renting on the estate are interested in buying. If you have three beds/two bathrooms (and perhaps want to avoid April’s service charge increase) let us know so we can put you in touch.

Last, not least...  

One of the good things about estate living is we look out for each other. 

Before Christmas the lift in block F got damaged, apparently by furniture removal, and ended up spending a week or two out of service, to great inconvenience. Separately, sometime between 24-28 December, a resident’s car parked behind block C suffered possibly malicious scoring of offside paintwork, to immense frustration.

Please take care when using lifts. Always report suspicious behaviour if you see it. And, if you can shed light on either of the above, please get in touch. 

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)