Leaseholds and cladding crisis help explain the stagnation in apartment prices JOHN BURN-MURDOCH Financial Times 18th May 2023 https://www.ft.com/content/df25ccc7-5dcf-446e-8a07-332ad5612f09 If Zoom, Peloton and pet shops were some of the unexpected winners of the… Continue reading
It appears that Rendall and Rittner’s electrical supply tendering strategy has failed. Rendall and Rittner have tried to tender for electricity supply on a huge bulk scale at a time when energy companies were risk averse /energy prices were very volatile and thus there was almost no response to the tender. This has left us at the mercy of EDF (existing supplier) and a new contract was signed with them at a 333% increase. Had Rendall and Rittner negotiated for Chelsea Bridge Wharf on single development basis (and given that our freeholder has no credit rating issues) it is likely we could have got a much better deal.
I am not convinced that Rendall and Rittner have behaved reasonably in this matter and I will be paying service charge under protest until further notice while I investigate further and obtain advice.
In the meanwhile I suggest a plan for the urgent reduction of electricity consumption in communal and external areas should be drawn up, in consultation with residents, and the fountains should be a central part of that.
The latest service charge demands from Rendall and Rittner show that service charges will increase by 40% for the year commencing 1 April 2023. My service charge has increased from £ 247.71 to £347.05… Continue reading
Housing Secretary Michael Gove wants to reform what he calls the “fundamentally unfair” leasehold system in England, promising legislation in this parliament. Leaseholders in Leeds told me about some of the problems they face – and what changes they want to see.
Grossly unfair elections – again! The 2023 CBWRA Chair elections were unfair for a number of reasons Two candidates stood jointly, thus pooling their votes, in a massive and clear violation of the… Continue reading
If you have not done so yet, please vote in the CBWRA Chair elections. I have made Right to Manage and reform of the residents’ association my top manifesto priorities. You need only… Continue reading
What CBWRA’s letter should have said in my view is ”we are being derecognised because we outsourced our membership management/ fee taking to Rendall and Rittner , rather than run our own membership databases, and Rendall and Rittner then withdrew that service (according to CBWRA) when they heard that Right to manage might start and we now have no way to prove we have 50% leaseholder membership”.
Berkeley Homes today confirm they have given CBWRA notice that their recognition will be withdrawn. The reason is not (as CBWRA have been desperately trying to say) anything to do with me –… Continue reading
From my 2023 CBWRA Chair Manifesto: ‘Retendering the management contract’ has in my view been a waste of up to £15,000 of residents’ money and a lot of time. It could only have… Continue reading
There are many areas of CBWRA governance which need reform, including the constitution, election processes, transparency on finances and resident consultation but above all we need to detoxify the CBW app. I have spoken to many residents who are genuinely afraid to ask even the most basic questions for fear of being attacked or having their app account closed: this must stop. Please see my manifesto for detailed proposals. The unfair running of the 2023 Chair elections show how much we need to change to become a normal democratic residents’ association. A 140% membership fee increase without explanation says everything about the culture of current CBWRA regime – remote, hierarchical, apparently not too interested in residents’ views.
