EV Charging
An increasing number of residents are using the EV charging facilities in the garage.
To use the system, it is necessary to have an Easee charger installed in your parking bay. If not already installed, one can be purchased from the management company who will also arrange for its installation at a current cost of £950. Credit will also need to be allocated to your account (currently a minimum of £50) before the charger can be used.
The charging rate is currently 35p per kWh but the management company is hoping to reduce this significantly in the next few months if we are successful in signing up for a cheap EV smart charging rate with our electricity supplier.
The Building Manager can provide further details and up-to-date costs.
Foxes
We have been experiencing increasing problems with foxes which have been depositing their scat (poo) and litter on pathways and in gardens, digging holes under fences, making a racket during the night and even entering the basement car park on a regular basis. Once in the car park, they have been jumping onto the roofs of parked cars, climbing into the cable trays and chewing cables including the fibre broadband cable. Hyperoptic have had to visit twice to repair their fibre cable. The application of a liquid fox deterrent proved ineffective, so physical measures have had to be taken to prevent access by adding wire mesh and spikes to the bottom of the garage gates and wire meshing the ceiling cable tray gap areas. More recently, plastic spikes have been installed around various gates to deter foxes jumping over adjacent walls. The situation is being closely monitored but we hope these deterrent measures will prove effective. Please under no circumstances do anything to encourage the foxes by leaving food around that they can gain access to.
Payments
The Building Manager now has a card reader and is able to take a credit/debit card payment for keys, fobs, etc. This should significantly simplify the previous cumbersome process. Alternatively, payment may be made directly into the the managing company's bank account. Please speak to Glenn for further details.
Recycling
Please note that following a successful trial of a weekly food waste recycling service for the last 2 years, Westminster Recycling Team are making this a permanent service from March 2022. If you do not have a food waste bin, please email the Recycling Team at: foodwaste@westminster.gov.uk
For further information about the service please visit: www.westminster.gov.uk/food-waste-recycling
Window Cleaning
The external windows at 51/55 Marlborough Hill are currently cleaned twice a year normally in March/April and September/October. Most of the windows are cleaned using the Ionic System, using a water fed pole & window brush system which dispenses filtered pure water leaving minimal streaks on the windows.
Some windows that are out of reach for the pole cleaning system. These are mostly the east facing 3rd floor windows on the front side of the building, the patio balcony windows on the 2nd floor and the 3rd floor windows above these patio balcony apartments. These windows will be cleaned by the normal Squeegee method if access is made available.
Residents will be given notice of when the bi-annual window cleaning is due to take place.
Gardens
Main Garden Care Ltd have been engaged to maintain the communal garden area. The current plan is that they will attend twice a month on Tuesdays. One visit will be a full visit including pruning and weeding and the other just to tidy up. Details of the services they provide can be found at: http://www.maingardencare.co.uk
Additional Common Box plants (Buxus sempervirens) were planted in January 2022 to fill up bare sections along the front of the development. Unfortunately some of the original and new box plants are suffering from a fungal disease (box blight) which the gardeners are attempting to keep in check with periodic spraying and the cutting out of affected parts. If this proves to be a losing battle then a different type of hedge will need to be planted.
The Management Company are considering whether to plant a further Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) outside 51 MH to replace a tree that had to be removed a few years ago.
Ultra Low Emission Zone
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) came into effect on 25th October 2021 to create a single larger zone up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). Marlborough Hill is within it. You can avoid the daily charge, which is currently £12.50 for cars, smaller vans, motorbikes and other lighter vehicles, by using a vehicle that meets the required emissions standards.
NB The daily ULEZ charge is in addition to the Congestion Charge.
To check if your vehicle meets the emissions standards check at: Check your vehicle - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)
The ULEZ was expanded across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023. Find out more.
Water Consumption
The increased consumption in 2023 is believed to be mainly due to a leaking garden tap/hose in Block A. This was addressed and the consumption for the last quarter of 2023 appears to be back down to previous levels.