WHO ARE HURST RIVERSIDE LANDS LTD?
Among the most common enquiries we get concern the service charge, why it only affects some areas of the estate, and which does it cover. The following is intended to provide a brief response to these queries.
Hurst Riverside Lands Limited (HRLL) is a company limited by shares, incorporated under the Companies Act 1948. Its purpose is to own and manage the communal areas of that part of the Hurst Park Development bounded by Hurst Road, Sadlers Ride and Buckingham Avenue, as well as Victoria Close and part of Victoria Avenue. It’s jurisdiction extends to the gardens and garage forecourts within this area but not the roads and footpaths which are the responsibility of the council. It is the footpath edge that forms the boundary line to HRLL land. Verges that sit between a footpath and a road are outside our demise.
Hurst Park was developed in sections and originally HRLL was intended to function not only in this section of the development but all others as they were completed. This plan was subsequently abandoned, hence the reason why other parts of the Estate do not have communal ownership of their public spaces and consequently have to rely on the council for the maintenance (or otherwise) of these as they see fit.
All the issued shares in the company are held by the owners of the houses and flats within our demised area and thus the owners, as a body, own and control the Company.
WHY HAVE A MANAGEMENT COMPANY?
The estate developer Wates originally formed the company to maintain the common areas for the use and enjoyment of the residents to give the owners of houses and flats the power to control undesirable uses of the properties and land.
WHAT DOES HURST RIVERSIDE LANDS DO?
HRLL exists solely to administer and maintain the amenity land and common areas described above. It is responsible for activities such as grass cutting, re-planting, pruning, repairs etc as may be necessary to maintain the landscaping and the common areas in good condition. It tenders and administers contracts required to get such work undertaken. It is also responsible for payment of water charges for the standpipes in the garage areas as well as for council tax on company property.
HRLL has partnered with third-party estate management specialists, Sweetings Property Management Ltd, who take care of the day-to-day running of the estate with oversight from HRLL’s Board of Directors.
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A SERVICE CHARGE?
HRLL is not a residents association or any other type of unaccountable self interest group. It is a properly constituted company with specific obligations and legal responsibilities. You do not subscribe to join. You become a shareholder when you purchased your property. Your solicitor will have undertaken a share transfer on your behalf at the time of purchase. At the same time you should also have been given copies of various rules and covenants that apply to properties within the managed area of the estate.
As an owner and shareholder you are obliged to share the expenses of the work of the Company. This cost is levied as an Annual Service Charge, which is set each year by the board of directors at a level to cover these costs.
There is a legal obligation to pay the annual service charge and this is collected annually by Sweetings Property Management Ltd on behalf of HRLL.
The Board of Directors is comprised of residents who give up their free time, working together to oversee the running of the Estate for the benefit of all residents.
Nominations for, and elections to, the Board of Directors are conducted at the AGM each year.
The following attachment may be of use if you are currently selling your property:
Hurst Riverside Lands 