Residents' FAQs

Frequently asked questions

 

All residents

 

How should I handle a dispute with a neighbour?

Remind me, what is in the agreement I signed with the charity?

What is in the residents’ handbook?

Gardening: what are my responsibilities?

 

Pearson, Martin & Oliver Terrace residents

 

The Vent-Axia ventilation system – how does it work?

The heating system – how does it work?

 

Answers

 

How should I handle a dispute with a neighbour?

 

Before making a formal complaint or getting others involved, try to discuss the problem with the neighbour. If you’re worried about approaching the person, write a letter explaining the problem clearly; stick to the facts. If the problem affects other people, involve them as well. It may be easier to settle a dispute if the complaint comes from several people. A residents’ association might help if you’re a member of one.

For further information, see

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/talk-to-your-neighbour

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/problems-where-you-live/complaining-about-your-neighbour

If all else fails you may complain to the charity via our agent, Redmayne Arnold & Harris. We are unable to act on non-specific complaints so please provide as much information as possible – including:

  • The date and time of the incident(s)
  • The names and addresses of the individuals involved
  • How often it happens
  • How it is affecting you
  • What you’ve done to try and resolve it
  • Who else you’ve reported it to
  • Any other evidence you have of the issue

Make a note of whenever the problem happens – your records will be useful if you decide to take things further.

If you think there has been a hate crime or hate incident, you should mention this even if you’ve already told someone else.

Incidents of anti-social behaviour – ie causing nuisance and annoyance – can be talked through with an adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Examples include:

  • making excessive noise
  • dumping rubbish
  • writing graffiti
  • having a dog that barks or is otherwise troublesome
  • using your garden without permission
  • harassing you because of religion, race, sex, disability, or another characteristic.

It isn’t anti-social behaviour if the problem concerns normal day-to-day living, eg a baby crying, cooking smells, etc. You should talk to your neighbour and try to agree a compromise.

If you are worried about a child:

If you are worried about an adult who is in immediate danger or needs medical treatment contact the police and/or ambulance service on 999.

Back

 

Remind me, what is in the agreement I signed with the charity?

 

You will have your own signed copy somewhere – and it will be similar to our standard agreement which you can download here:

22080830 Almshouse (LOFA) lttr of agreement 1

Back

 

What is in the residents’ handbook?

 

Download here:

2202.08 GSPC Res Handbook

Back

 

Gardening: what are my responsibilities?

 

  1. To cultivate and manage the garden such that it is neat & tidy and free of rubbish.
  2. To maintain / weed the borders and mow the back garden lawns. 
  3. To prune the back garden hedge and large bushes to maximum height of 2 metres. 
  4. To seek consent from the Charity before:
    • any tree is cut back, pruned or removed
    • any changes are made to the shed, paths or lawn.
  5. To ensure the garden is in a similar state at the end of the tenancy as it was at the beginning.
  6. To promptly notify the Charity of any damage to the Charity’s property, such as the shed.
  7. To promptly arrange and pay for repairs agreed with the Charity.

Note that the Charity will:

  1. Cut and maintain the communal lawns every 2-4 weeks depending on need.
  2. Maintain the external boundary hedges alongside communal paths to a height of no more than 2 metres on an annual basis, most likely in February to minimise the impact on nesting birds.
  3. Maintain communal areas, including weeding communal borders twice a year. Residents may weed communal areas but not plant or remove plants without permission.
  4. Prune and maintain boundary trees as necessary.
  5. Maintain boundary fences and walls.
  6. Replace damaged front wood panel fences with hedges and damaged back wood panel fences with pig wire.
  7. Maintain where necessary the sheds provided by the charity and the hard landscaping, including paths and patios. 

Back

The Vent-Axia ventilation system – how does it work?

 

(These systems are only found in the Terraces.)

Please DO NOT switch off the Vent-Axia unit. It extracts stale moist air, odours and indoor pollutants, at the same time drawing in fresh, filtered air from outside. In winter it recovers much of the heat from the stale air and warms the incoming air, helping you save on heating costs.

The fan is set to run continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and consumes very little energy. It helps prevent the build up of moisture in the home and reduces the risk of black mould forming on walls and behind cupboards.

For further information please download the user guide.

Back

 

The heating system – how does it work?

 

These two videos, made in Pearson Terrace in January 2023, explain how to make best use of the air source heat pump systems found in the Terraces.

Back

GSVC Trustee Ltd – a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, company number 14653486, whose registered office is at 18 High Street, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5EH – is the sole corporate trustee of The Great Shelford Village Charity.   Privacy Policy