Newsletter · Spring 2026

Dear Resident,

The Residents Association Committee — New Chair and Officers

Some of you may know that Charles Jones has had to resign for health reasons, Ian Freeman is moving out of Du Cane Court, and Hilary Tothill Scott has also resigned. As a result we have a new Chair, Alex Harrison, who has long experience in facilities management in the leisure industry — invaluable experience with compliance, large plant and building problems and contractor management.

Jef Sutherland continues his valuable role as Vice Chair, working on resident-facing activities and working closely with Alex. James Dolman continues as Treasurer/Membership Secretary. Idries Hamadi takes up a new role as Communications Secretary, backed up by Stefan Nowak, who also has experience with managing social media. Anne-Marie McRoberts will continue as Secretary. These arrangements will continue until our AGM at the end of June, when a new Committee will be elected.

We have continued to maintain a positive relationship with our landlord, Dorrington, and have met with them regularly and with the new management company POD. POD have held a couple of meet-and-greet coffee mornings in the foyer and we have requested that they hold an evening one for residents who are unavailable during the day. We are also arranging a meeting with Dorrington and POD to discuss the service charges, the ten year maintenance plan, the heating and hot water, and the fire regulations and consequent works.

Service Charges for 2026

Dorrington have been trying hard to keep the rise in the service charge to a minimum. The expected rise should be in the order of about 4%. There has been a long delay in the production of the service charge bills; while all funds held on account by Allsop have been transferred to POD, working out what is owed by individual leaseholders has been extremely difficult.

We have been informed that POD do not accept cheques. Payment can be made by direct bank transfer. If residents wish to pay an estimated sum, email support@PODMANAGEMENT.CO.UK marked FAO Vicky/Accounts to request the client account details and your own reference number. POD accept monthly payments, with the proviso that the balance is paid in full by the date the next bill falls due.

There will be a resumption of some major works including external decorations (the first Section 20 Notice has been issued), the C Block lift replacement, and the routine compliance works including fire safety, legionella, electrical and lift inspections. The good news is that gas and electricity costs are fixed into 2026, and the roof has been inspected and will last a few more years.

Heating and Hot Water

Most residents have been adversely affected by the problems with heating and hot water. The Committee had maintained that it was the calorifiers that were at fault rather than the boilers, and this has been vindicated — the temporary installation of heat exchange panels and taking the faulty calorifiers out of service has worked wonders. The boilers are performing well.

The first three weeks were very uncomfortable and communication could have been better. Nevertheless, we are very pleased that POD's new contractor has been able to restore heating and hot water so soon after taking over, a great improvement after almost three years of difficulties.

Going forward, management must ensure a preliminary survey is completed before the heating is turned off; any works on the calorifiers must be carried out by mid-September so the system can be turned back on in a timely fashion. Disruptions to the hot water service must be announced at least 48 hours in advance.

Fire Precautions

Fire safety continues to be a matter of concern, though there has been a delay in starting works as they must be approved by the Office for Building Safety, which is currently swamped. The expected waiting time for approval is about 23 weeks (normally six to eight weeks).

The signage inside the building has been updated in line with new regulations, but installation of some new fire doors in corridors, the proposed fire-alarm system, and the replacement of front doors opening directly into stairwells is still awaited. The funds already accrued should cover the major part of the costs.

Dorrington have confirmed that all front doors will have to be replaced. This is complicated by the fact that the frames belong to Dorrington and the doors to the lessees, but doors, frames and furniture must be considered as a single item for fire precaution purposes, and installed and inspected by appropriately certified companies and inspectors.

Security

The new security firm took over from 6 February 2025 with a dedicated team of four people — two at a time, each working four nights on, four nights off. Initial concerns have proved groundless and security appears to have improved.

Du Cane Court Resident Responsibilities

We ask that every resident treats the common areas with respect. If you mark the carpet or cause accidental damage — or spot any when walking around the building — please report it via the front desk. Please shut the smoke doors after you pass through them. Please also report any spillages on the corridor carpets as they can most easily be cleaned when fresh.

Parking

If you keep a car at Du Cane Court, please apply for a 2026 parking permit. Application forms are available from reception. The estate office is in reception and can be contacted on 020 8675 8894. Please ensure the permit is displayed in the front windscreen at all times with all details clearly visible.

Motorcycles do not need a permit but you must register with the estate office. There is no visitors' parking at any time anywhere on the estate — search online for "Wandsworth visitor parking" for information about street parking.

Domestic Rubbish — Chute Rooms and Recycling

All normal household rubbish should be bagged and disposed of via the rubbish chutes in the clearly marked "Dust Chute Rooms" on every floor. Recycling bins are in the garage area opposite the back door to J block: paper, cardboard, cans, glass and plastic food containers can all be recycled. Food waste bins are located in the central chute room and next to the recycling bins — please use only the compostable bags supplied.

Please do not use the rubbish chutes or recycling bins between 20:00 and 08:00 to avoid disturbing neighbours. Larger items of rubbish can be taken to the skip at the end of the garage block. For old electrical appliances or upholstered furniture, speak to the Estate Office as there are specific requirements.

Noise

There are over 1,200 residents living at Du Cane Court — please keep music and speech at a reasonable level, especially late at night. DIY, drilling, and hammering are not permitted after 5pm on weekday evenings, after 1pm on Saturdays, or at any time on Sundays and Bank Holidays. To report noise, call the desk on 020 8673 8592, or Wandsworth Council's noise line on 020 8871 6127.

Deliveries

Please collect parcels promptly on receiving notification through Building Link. For food and grocery deliveries, put a comment in your delivery instructions directing drivers to the main entrance on Balham High Road, so staff can direct them to your flat — this reduces the number of vehicles riding around the courtyards late at night.

Useful Services

Home Delivery Library Service

Wandsworth Council run a home delivery library service — up to ten books per person delivered to your front door monthly. Contact Karen in Home Delivery on 020 8877 1742.

Free Smoke Alarm Installation

The London Fire Brigade offer a free service to install smoke alarms in residential properties. Contact them on 020 8555 1200 (press "0" for the operator).

Member Discounts

Your DCCRA membership card earns you discounts at local businesses — see the membership page for the full list. We are working to attract more local retailers. If you'd like to suggest a trader, email ducanecourtresidents@gmail.com.

Your Residents' Association

The DCCRA was formed to represent the views and concerns of residents and to act as a liaison between you and the building's management and freeholders (Dorrington). Membership is free to all leaseholders and residents. The Committee is still short-handed — we would welcome more members, so please volunteer if you can.

You can contact us by email at ducanecourtresidents@gmail.com or by putting a note in our letterbox at the reception desk. As a member you will have access to quarterly reports from the Committee and the Residents' Association Facebook page, and be invited to the AGM and any other meetings called during the year.

Join the Residents Association