Welcome to the Hide Tower Summer 2023 newsletter.
Hide Tower Resident Management Board
Due to several of the Resident Management Board members leaving for pastures new and personal reasons, we are looking for new members to join the board.
Our ground floor office is at risk of closing if we do not have enough members.
Membership is open to both tenants and leaseholders, although we currently need more of the former.
You will soon receive letters, as well as see notices in the lifts, so please look out for them.
Office Update
The office has closed as Flow 3 carry out the works to the stacks, so please contact Coral on 020 7630 1129, or email her on cgerald@westminster.gov.uk
Coral has been working from the hall while the office is being repaired.
Major Works Update
Ventilation
For the vents to work properly, as many residents as possible need to have them fitted.
There's still time, so if you have not had your vent fitted, please contact United Living, who are carrying out the installations on behalf of Westminster City Council.
You can ask either speak with Heather on 01322 618 442, Frazer Talbot, who is located in the Portacabins at the base of the block, or Phuong Doan, the Resident Advocate for Westminster City Council on 0800 358 3783. Alternatively, you can email Phuong on pdoan@westminster.gov.uk.
If you need any help, please see Coral on the ground floor.
Stack-pipe works
Westminster City Council have upgraded two of the stacks at Hide Tower, which has stopped the leak into the Office and one of the leaks on the outside of the block.
Westminster City Council is carrying out further investigations to stop the leak to the stack opposite the Hall in the communal area and outside the block. Once the leaks have been repaired Westminster City Council will continue a regular programme of works involving the cleaning and upkeep of the stacks.
Cladding
There have been reports of fallen cladding and Westminster City Council have been sending abseilers to investigate.
Monthly checks will be carried by the abseilers to ensure the cladding is safe. Any defective parts will be stored on the respective private balconies and re-secured at a later date.
Please do not throw any parts away!
If you prefer, the parts can be stored in the hall.
Westminster will try to inform the office before the abseilers attend, however, this may not always be possible, so please keep your curtains closed during the day if you want to prevent them from seeing inside your home.
Garden keys
The lock has been replaced on the garden gate and a new key is available. Please contact Coral on 020 7630 1129 or email her at cgerald@westminster.gov.uk to get a replacement key, or a new key if you do not have one.
Photo ID – current passport or full driving license - as well as proof of your address - utility bill or government letter etc. - no older than 3 months will be required to get a key.
General Reminders
*Keep the balcony clear and clean of any trip hazards or slippages.
*Do not cover the original flooring with a non-slip covering.
*Do not store items on the balcony that can be used to climb on.
*Do not leave plant pots or other items on the balcony ledges that can fall onto passers-by below.
*Do not leave children unsupervised on the balcony.
*Do not hang washing on the balcony as it looks unsightly it should be kept at low level.
*Dogs are also not allowed in the garden.
We would remind you to be careful and mindful of what you are putting down your kitchen sink. For example, you should not pour oil down the sink, as this is a major cause of buildup in the pipes, which then restricts the flow of wastewater from the kitchen sink causing slow drainage or back-up into your sinks.
Refuse disposal and Recycling
Please remember that it is your responsibility to deposit your rubbish into either the rubbish chutes or the bins at the front of the building. Remember, that there are two bins downstairs, so if one is full, then please use the other.
You should not leave bags of rubbish on the landings, chute room floors or at the front of the building. This is not only unsightly, it encourages vermin to get into the bags and spread out the contents on the floor.
We have our own recycling & food bins, which are located on the North side of the block.
Please condense your boxes and packages by folding them as small as possible. Recycling bags are also available in the office.
Do not put large items in the chute as it will cause a blockage.
Do not leave bags of rubbish outside of your flat door.
Reporting Repairs
If you have an emergency repair over the weekends, you should contact Westminster Emergency Services on 0207 286 7412.
Emergency repairs include:
· Total loss of lighting
· Serious leaks or water penetration
· Blocked toilets or stack pipes
· Total loss of water supply or a leaking pipe
· Total loss of heating & hot water
If you call out the emergency services and it is found that the repair is not an emergency, you could be recharged for the call out.
This includes locking yourself out of the property.
Noise Nuisance
The City Council’s 24-hour noise team can use its powers to help you if you are bothered by noise such as loud music, parties, noisy neighbours or dogs, DIY works, or prolonged ringing of burglar or car alarms. Two steps to tackling noise problems:
1. If you feel that your own safety will not put you at risk, you should try to raise the problem with whoever is responsible for the noise and attempt to sort it out reasonably. Approach the person politely to try to resolve the problem.
2. If this approach fails or you feel it is not wise or practical call the 24-Hour Noise Team on: 0207 641 2000 who will try to respond within 45 minutes.