In addition to the necessary day to day maintenance of Belle Vue Court we have a programme of projects that aim to improve the facilities for the benefit of residents, protect the fabric of the building and ensure that Belle Vue Court is compliant with current safety legislation.
These projects are listed below:
Upgrade to laundry
We have entered a new contract for the provision of washing machines and driers in the laundry room at Belle Vue Court. There is no rental cost for these machines. User pay for each wash and Belle Vue Court pays for the cost of electricity/gas used. The contract until May 2033.
We encourage the use of these machines, particularly in rented accommodation, because they are regularly maintained and that is proven to reduce the risk of flooding and water damage which has a direct impact on our insurance premiums.
External maintenance
Throughout the spring and summer of 2023 we completed planned repairs to the exterior of the south side of the property.
These have mainly related to wear and tear caused by high winds.
The works will protect the fabric of Belle Vue Court and prevent flats from water ingress.
Redecoration of stairwell
The stairwell had not been decorated in more than 30 years.
The lower section (phase 1), between the basement lobby and the entrance to the second floor, was decorated during the summer of 2021.
The upper floors, up to floor 5 (phase 2) was decorated in Autumn 2022.
The final floors (phase 3) was completed in summer 2023.
We have an ongoing programme to maintain the decoration of public areas.
Re-carpeting public areas
Our project to re-caret the public areas of Belle Vue Court is complete.
The new carpets replace those originally put down when the building was built.
The new carpets bring a contemporary feel and are making the lobby areas much brighter.
Repairs to exit driveway
We do not have a record of when the exit drive was last repaired but it has been suggested that we may still be using the original surface laid around 40 years ago.
The central section main car park area in 2010 and the entrance drive was relaid in 2019.
In recent years the exit driveway has been significantly damaged by large vehicles ripping up the top cover, particularly on the western slope.
The works included repairing and resurfacing the worn area at the top of the car park and out side of the garages & main entrance, remarking the hatched area and parking spaces. This was completed in August 2021.
Recently completed projects
Replacing the back door
This project was completed in early July 21.
The back door, which also serves as a fire escape, is in a very poor state of repair.
We have requested quotes for this door to be replaced with a composite material that will not require painting. Work to replace the door and sill will be completed as soon as possible.
Unfortunately we will also have to replace keys for the door which means that residents will need to use different keys for the front and back doors. Keys will be issued to every flat in advance.
Repairs to the entrance canopy
This work was completed in May 2021
We have commissioned work to the entrance canopy following an inspection by our surveyors.
Over the years there has been some water penetration which has had a minor impact on the steel frame and has also loosened the rendering on the facia.
Replacement of doors to the roof and lift engine housing
The door the roof and the lift engine housing are beyond repair and were replaced in the autumn of 2020.
This work helped ensure the integrity of the building and also protect the lift motor from the environment.
Updating lighting in common areas
We are working with our contractors to improve the lighting in all common ways. This work will ensure that we meet current requirements for emergency lighting as well as reducing running costs and our environmental impact. The work will include:
Replacing the existing lights in the lift lobbies and reducing these to a single unit
Reusing one of the lights from the lift lobby and installing it in the inner lobby to improve the amount of light but also to make these reactive so that they only operate when someone enters the area (the existing lights are permanently on and do not have battery back up).
Storing all removed useable units for future use as spares.