Chislet Gardens – Hersden, Nr Canterbury

Posted on 14. Jan, 2009 by Tony in All posts, In the same boat!

Chislet Gardens – Hersden, Nr Canterbury, Kent
RPMC – The Island Road (Hersden) Management Company Limited

Thread started by Tony Kirkbank.
Chairman – Chislet Gardens Residents Association

The Chislet Gardens Estate at Hersden, near Canterbury, is a development of some 200 households built by Wimpey snd Westbury some 4/5 years ago. New householders/freeholders were advised that CPM would be charging £88 per annum for maintainance charges referring to small areas of shrubbery along borders and a small area of grass fronting a Close. Up until now, the estate had not been ‘completed’ and no charges were forthcoming. The minimal work was carried out by a Wimpey-paiod gardener on Monday mornings (sometimes). The finances of our Management Company showed a balance of nil. In November 2008, all residents received invoices from CPM, dated from 1st September 2008, demanding payment of Management fees amounting to over £190 an increase of well in excess of 100%, without explanation of the itemised increases. CPM were not due to take over this estate until January this year, so why bill from last September!!! These charges were immediately challenged and letters sent by recorded delivery remain unacklowledged and unanswered, but, on 3rd December, CPM relented and withdrew the new charges pending a meeting with residents. Threats of legal action against non-payers were also withdrawn. On 17th December, all residents then received a FINAL DEMAND of the £190 togther with threats of an additional £125 debt collection if not paid within 5 days. After immediate calls by various residents and other action, an e-mail apology was received, together with an acknowledgement that a formal letter of apology was appropriate. This 17th Dec letter was also read by an elderly lady resident whose husband has a heart condition. She had also panicked when the letter was opened and telephoned the Customer Care number at RMG shown on her letter. She was put through to an operative who advised her that she should pay the demand straight away or else legal action would be taken against her. She telephoned me in tears and I was able to advise her that the Credit Control Office of CPM had admitted an error. What a way to run a business. We are now armed with a new Residents Association and will be continuing the ideal in getting CPM away from our Estate business by following the lead taken by this site’s author – and I thank him very much for his efforts! We are still awaiting a meeting by CPM with residents but I expect that their new 2009 bill will arrive first. Watch this space. Tony

3 Responses to “Chislet Gardens – Hersden, Nr Canterbury”

  1. admin

    14. Jan, 2009

    Hi Tony,
    THanks for getting the ball rolling. Brilliant post!

  2. Tony

    24. Mar, 2009

    Dear Keir,

    It took me four months and over 1,200 e-mails in and out!

    Last night, the residents of our estate responded to a notice for an EGM set by CPM and Gavin Betty and Charlotte Howlings of CPM visited us at our local communal hall. At that meeting, which I had been able to initiate with CPM with a lot of thanks to your lead and information within your site, we elevated 5 members of our estate to director status, complete with their form 288a’s. CPM then announced that they would stand down – and left.

    Our crunch was not the cost of the new 2009 charges (over twice what had been envisaged when we purchased our homes) but the realisation, on receiving from Companies House the Articles of Association and Memorandum, that, within 6 months of the date of completion of the Register of Members of the IRHMCL (which we claimed would have been made by early 2006 at the latest. E.g., last home sold by the developer), the ONLY PERSONS allowed to be directors of IRHMCL are dwelling holders of Chislet Gardens. In that 6 month period in 2006, steps should have been taken by Wimpey and/or CPM to make residents aware so that the nominee directors would stand down. CPM blame Wimpey. Wimpey wash their hands.

    Luckily, I had been able to ensure with Wimpey that the ‘handover’ of communal land DID NOT take place before we had full control. That process will now be put under way – with our own agent selected to deal with the day to day running, costing, admin, etc. (We do have a very good local agent who is prepared to work with the directors).

    So. I can happily report that Chislet Gardens now has a new Residents Association which is bringing together a communal spirit and which will ensure a happy estate. The new board of the Management Company will ensure that the appearance of the estate is enhanced through careful planning and use of local talent to maintain it.

    There are happy endings.

    Many thanks to you, Keir.

    Kind regards

    Tony Kirkbank
    Chair, CGRA

  3. admin

    24. Mar, 2009

    Thanks Tony.

    The point made here about checking the Mem’s and Art’s of the RPMC is a good one. Many are set up in just this way. Of course CPM/RMG are not going to draw attention to it – why would they? So the advice is check them yourselves.

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