RVRA

Keeping You Informed

January News 2005

JANUARY 2005

 

1st January 2005

 

RVRA would first like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year.

 

Below you will find the 2005 Budget.  This budget has been used to apply to the LVT for reasonableness of the 2005 Service Charge Demand, so you can see that these figures are not those RVRA have made up as others have previously reported, but actual figures used by Labyrinth Properties Ltd.

 

RVRA would like to remind all residents that your Ground Rent of £25.00 is due to be paid.  Please ensure that your Ground Rent is paid.

 

RVRA strongly advise that residents pay their 2005 Service Charge IN FULL or in EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS until the 2005 LVT Hearing.  Not what it's thought to be by others. If you fail to pay in this manner, you will be given 14 days after the LVT make their decision to pay your 2003,2004 and 2005 Service Charge IN FULL.  If you fail to pay your Service Charge on demand, you may find that you will forfeit your lease.

 

If, however, our Service Charge is reduced in April by LVT, your Service Charge Demand will be adjusted accordingly.

 

Residents are reminded that all figures shown in the table below are inclusive of 17.5% VAT.

 

Our Service Charge Demand has increased because of the lack of Service Charge being paid by many.  Because of this, residents have had to pay interest on a loan, (Barclay's base rate + 8%), because others have failed to pay their full Service Charge.

 

If anyone has any worries or concerns, please contact RVRA in the usual manner and we will endeavour to do all we can to help.

 

TEM	COST INCLUSIVE OF VAT
Raleigh Roof Overlay	£17,510.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Darwin Roof Overlay	£3,000.00 - Guestimate
Re-asphalting Walkways	£19,261.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Asbestos Works	£41,200.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Stairs/Cladding & Repairs	£2,575.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
External Redecoration	£38,316.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Associated Repairs	£8,240.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Trunking & Fanning Replacement	£0.00
Lift Replacements	£0.00
Lift Maintenance	£3,808.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Engineering Insurance	£1,200.00 - Cover for 4 lifts
Lighting & Electrical	£5,000.00 - 2004 spend + inflation
Intercom Repairs	£32,129.00 - As estimate
Waste Chutes	£0.00
Concrete Repairs	£0.00
Cladding/Window/Door Repairs	£0.00
Externals & Garages	£0.00
Day to Day Repairs	£30,000.00 as per Johnson Report + 3% inflation
Security	£106,128.00
CCTV	£19,727.00 - In accordance with insurer's recommendations
Maintenance	£86,860.00 - As 2004 Submission + 3% inflation
Management	£65,000.00
Insurance	£139,282.00
Accounts	£3,630.00 - 2004 Fee account + 3% £40,953.00
Landlords funding of Service Charge	£30,000.00 - Interest calculated at base rate + 8%
TOTAL	£694,518.00

 

 

13th January 2005

 

RVRA have gained information on the following topics:

 

1.  Cash Discrepancy - Wilfred Green Accountants have met with Labyrinth Properties Ltd to discuss the cash discrepancy in the 2003 Accounts.

 

They explain that the discrepancy may be due to poor book-keeping that was maintained by the previous Managing Agents for the period 1st January 03 - 30th June 03.

 

It is explained that accounts for that period have not been found, but the reasons for the cash difference could be one of the following:

 

a.   Cash at Bank

 

This money could still be maintained within the previous Managing Agent's Bank account.

 

b.  Debtors

 

It could be that Labyrinth Properties have not been given sufficient information on all debtors.

 

c.  Monies Expended

 

This money could already have been spent on items like Security, Cleaning etc which the accountant does not have work vouchers for.

 

d.  Misappropriation

 

Misappropriation could also be a reason.   If this is the reason, then VMC 2 Ltd will need to be contacted.

 

Decisions need to be made if this is to brought to an end.  The only way to finalise this is to recreate all the accounting records and to do a full survey of income and expenditure.  This will take a great deal of time and will cost is £40,953.00 inclusive of VAT.

 

Wilfred Green confirms that even though significant time could be expended on this, there is still no guarantee that the full reasons behind the £142k discrepancy will be ascertained.

 

If the monies have been misappropriated, residents may be required to pay any costs to claim this money back.  We dread to think how much this would cost.

 

Have your say, email RVRA on this or any other of the following subjects.

 

2.  New Door Entry Systems Renewals and Upgrades - A new proposed system appears to be on the drawing board.  The new TelGuard Call Stations have been proposed.

 

The contractor proposing such a system advises the following:

 

That the existing system is now rather old and in a very poor state of repair due to vandalism and fire.  It is impracticable to try to reinstate this existing system and more beneficial to use a system that does not rely on the good condition of the internal flat phones and the condition of the wiring between phone points.

 

Also there is a difficulty in acquiring spare parts for the existing system due to it's age.  All 301 flats would have to be accessed to check the operation of the internal phones and any damaged or malfunctioning phones would have to be renewed or if the existing phones were found to be incompatible with the new front call stations then every phone would have to be renewed.

 

This estimate is to supply and install a new TelGuard System.  There is no need to wire to each flat because this system uses the customers own phone lines.

 

This estimate is for 12 TelGuard Junior panels with power supply units, phone leads and flush back boxes.  Also included is to renew all the door entry lock release mechanisms with anti vandal guard plates.

 

£32,129.20 inclusive of VAT.  A Maintenance Programme would be at an annual cost, this is yet to be confirmed.

 

RVRA are checking out this system.  We will of course inform residents of any information we gain.

 

3.  C.C.T.V. Surveillance System - One of the quotes we have is to supply, install and commission four fully functional dome camera systems with on-site digital recording facilities and optional computer networking/internet capabilities.

 

Project Description

 

The system will record all cameral images via a TEN-way digital multiplexer and recorder, which time stamps the video image to show the time and the date on the recordings during playback for future reference.  This equipment is to be located in the Security Office and controlled by the Security Staff with a view only monitor within the Management Office.

 

The recorder has an integral 10-Gigabyte hard drive which depending upon the system configuration is capable of storing images for up to 7 days without ever needing to change a VHS tape.

 

The system will be complimented with sixteen external wire free PIR infra-red detectors which when activated will cause the dome camera to traverse to a pre-defined area.

 

On activation the digital recorder will automatically change it's recording parameters to 50 PPS (Pictures Per Second). When viewing recorded images you simply select the designated camera and event alarm and press the playback button.  Once the digital recorder is powered up it never stops recording even in sequencing, multiplexing or playback modes.

 

Cameral Locations

 

Camera 1 at Corner of Lawrence & Livingstone.  The view from cameral will be of the precinct area and access points to blocks.

 

Camera 2 Mounted on Hillary Court/Lawrence Walk.  View will be the access points, car park and surrounding area.

 

Camera 3 Mounted on Livingstone Court.  View will be the access points, roof areas, car park and surrounding areas.

 

Camera 4 Mounted on Darwin Way.  View of access points, car park and surrounding areas.

The cost for installation etc is £19,727.00 inclusive of VAT.  A Maintenance Programme would be at an annual cost, this is yet to be confirmed.

 

RVRA are checking out this system.  We will of course inform residents of any information we gain.

 

If residents have any concerns, or would like further information, please contact RVRA in the usual manner.

 

 

14th January 2005

 

RVRA have been informed that the Rowner Access Point have kindly donated a vast and varied amount of plant bulbs to the Village.

 

These bulbs are being planted around the Village at present and will continue to be planted in the coming weeks.

 

There is no cost to the residents for the work involved.

 

RVRA would like to express their gratitude to the Rowner Access Point for their very kind donation and to White House Services for the time donated to plant the bulbs.

 

 

14th January 2005

 

We have been asked by our local Councillor Nina Champion if we could inform residents of the following notice:

 

THE SAVE HASLAR TASK FORCE

 

Have organised an important public meeting to be held on Wednesday 19th January 2005 at 7pm in St Mary's Parish Church, Green Lane, Alverstoke, Gosport.

 

YOUR CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE RETENTION OF HASLAR HOSPITAL.

 

ALL WELCOME

 

Any enquires to RVRA through our contacts page.

 

 

15th January 2005

 

RVRA would like to inform residents that the date for the impending LVT Hearing has changed.

 

It is now hoped that the Hearing will be held during the week commencing 9th May 05 in Room B, Central Library, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth.

 

RVRA will of course inform residents of any change in times or dates.

 

 

16th January 2005

 

RVRA would like to inform residents that we are now in receipt of copies of all the bundles relating to all five cases which will be dealt with by the LVT Tribunal Panel hopefully in May 05.

 

They include the following case numbers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would care to peruse these bundles, please make an appointment with any RVRA Team Member as they make very interesting reading.

 

 

20th January 2005

 

It is RVRA's pleasure to inform you that we have had confirmation today that a free Council Amenity Skip will be sited at the Livingstone Court Car Park on Tuesday 1st February 05 and removed for emptying on Friday 4th February 05.

 

Please note:  No materials are to be deposited above the rim of the container.