New entry fobs ready for collection

FTT decision regarding insurance commissions

Following an application by 98 leaseholders at Canary Riverside challenging the reasonableness of insurance premiums paid between 2010 - 2019 the FTT (First Tier Tribunal) has determined that commissions totalling £1.5M and associated Insurance Premium Tax of £121k was not payable.

The Tribunal’s decision, issued on 22nd December 2022, can be found here, and further information about the Tribunal proceedings here.

This is a significant result for the applicant leaseholders at Canary Riverside and further helps push the issue of secret insurance commissions into the open. The FTT’s decision was reported by the Financial Times on Saturday (link here).

Commentary on the decision can also be found on the Nearly Legal blog here and on the LKP website here.

Recycling - a guide

Please see the tables below for details of what can and cannot be recycled by Tower Hamlets council.

Please do not leave items of rubbish or recycling on the floor of the chute room as this is a fire hazard.  It may also prevent access to the chute and recycling bins by your neighbours.  If your rubbish/recycling does not fit down the chute or in the recycling bins you must take it down to P1 for collection - see Bulky items. Ask your concierge if you are unsure as to where to leave it. It is your responsibility, not the cleaner’s!

Electricity and gas prices

Important message for residents:

Because of the BNO-status of our Estate (see the Electricity page for more information) our electricity supply is deemed to be commercial and currently does not qualify for the domestic price cap. Instead we qualify for the commercial discount which is not as favourable as the domestic price cap.

The £400 discount was also an issue but following lobbying, particularly by park home and houseboat owners help may be at hand - see this article and this link to the Government announcement. We await further announcements as to how the £400 discount will be paid to households like ours that are ‘off grid’.

Similarly the gas supply to the boilers that provide our hot water (and the supply to gas hobs where fitted) are also deemed to be a commercial supply, coming under ‘district/communal’ systems. This is an issue affecting thousands of flats, most of whom are reliant on ‘district heating’ systems for their heating. See this recent BBC article for more information.

Our neighbours at One West India Quay are in a similar position, being also a BNO and with a district heating system.

Whenever you see this issue raised we urge residents to respond (retweet, email, comment etc) to try to ensure households like ours are not forgotten. Thank you.

CAR PARK CLOSURE SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER

On Sunday 2nd October - the same day as the London Marathon - the main car park fire shutter will be tested between 8am - 5pm. This affects both P1 and P2 parking levels.

Because the London Marathon road closures effectively prevent residents from being able to use the car park on that day Parkgate Aspen hope that this will cause minimal inconvenience.

Tree replacement works

Our central trees (opposite the hotel) are being cut down as they are dying of cankers disease. In the advanced stages, they present a danger of falling - as one already did during high winds this year.

Please read this update to find out more and to see the planned replacements.

Cladding update

Rooftop planning application refused

The application to create a 6th 5th floor roof terrace restaurant on top of the Gym/Club building has been refused by LBTH’s Development committee.

A copy of the decision notice can be found here and the planning case officer’s report recommending it be refused here.

The Council refused the application on the grounds that it would cause unacceptable noise levels which will have a detrimental impact on neighbouring occupiers - aka the residents of Canary Riverside. The absence of public benefits associated with the application was balanced against the negative amenity impacts.

Thank you to everyone who wrote in to object to the application.

Westferry Circus - weekend road works/ramp closures

Canary Wharf has advised us that they will be carrying out repairs to the expansion joints on the north and south ramps to Westferry Circus. The north ramp is opposite Berkeley Tower.

The dates are scheduled below.

• 11th/12th June - South Ramp

• 18th/19th June – South Ramp

• 25th/26th June – North Ramp

• 2nd/3rd July – North Ramp

 The proposed working hours will be 8am – 7pm.

As with previous works we are advised that the noise will mainly be concentrated on the first Saturday when the digging/breaking out takes place.

 Buses will be re-routed accordingly: please check bus provider/TfL websites for more information on the diversions.

A reminder on how to prevent water leaks from your apartment

Water damage is the number one cause of insurance claims and at Canary Riverside the escape of water (EOW) excess payable in the event of damage caused by water leaks is £25,000.

If damage arises a result of negligence by a resident/owner they may find themselves responsible for paying the excess. Please help to ensure that you do not find yourself on that position by taking action to minimise the risk of leaks occurring in your apartment.

Please check the water leaks page on the website for advice on how to minimise the risk of a leak occurring. There are also recommendations for leak detectors: devices that provide advance warning a problem has arisen in an out of sight location (eg a slow drip in an enclosed toilet cistern). There are an increasing number of smart devices on the market that can notify you when you are away from home.

If you are absent for any significant length of time please consider turning your water off at the supply - which you can find immediately outside your front door via the drop-down ceiling hatch. The property manager will be pleased to assist should you need help turning off/on your water supply.

Berkeley Tower Update

Berkeley Tower water leak

At 6am Berkeley Tower experienced a major leak originating in the 10th floor chute room. Its proximity to electrical supplies has meant electricity has had to be turned off as well as the water supply. The relevant emergency response services were called out and they are working on restoring services.

The water leak entered the High Voltage power room, triggering the fire alarm and that shuts down all lifts across the estate. An electrician is trying to isolate Berkeley from the other lifts so that their service can be restored. We’re told all hands are on deck and there’s a wetvac team on site to dry out the HV floor.