NEWSLETTER
PROS AND CONS LIVING IN AN ESTATE
Security – One of the most important pros of living in an Estate is to live in a Secure Estate. 41% of levies paid by MCHA Residents is utilised on Security. This is for the perimeter fencing, entry in and out of the Estate, the guards that patrol and secure the entrance and exit of the Estate. So, when you drive into the Estate, you literally feel like you can just breathe a huge sigh of relief and feel secured. You've arrived home into this secure lifestyle, and it gives you peace of mind for you and your family. The things that spin off from that are so important. It's the kids safely playing in the streets, walking to their neighbouring houses without so much concern as you would have outside an estate. The sense of security and the need for that is very important in South Africa.
Freedom – The Big con is the loss of absolute freedom. When you're moving into an Estate environment, you are moving into a community, and a community is a group of people with the same sets of values and beliefs, etc. Estate living means that you must abide by the same rules and guidelines, people must understand that you are living into the set of rules and lifestyle. This applies to all living within the Estate. When you're buying the property, you sometimes forget what you're signing into. This is not like living in a standalone home in the suburbs whereby you only need to adhere to the Municipal Bylaws.
Levies – Another con, is paying monthly levies. Levies are used to maintain and keeping up the standard in a housing estate and ensuring that the Estate is well certain standards. This can include things like keeping the grounds clean and tidy, ensuring that the buildings are well-maintained and in good repair, and providing adequate security for Residents.
It is important to maintain these standards to ensure that the Estate remains a desirable place to live in. This can help to attract new residents and can also help to maintain property values over time, and thus protecting investments in this deteriorating economic climate.
Maintenance of Homes – Maintaining homes in an Estate can help to increase the resale value of the property. This can be done by staying on top of routine maintenance and fixing minor problems as they arise, and not awaiting a pile up.
In addition to maintaining individual homes, it is also important to maintain the overall standard of the Estate. As we have already stated above; maintaining these standards can help to attract new residents and can also help to maintain property values over time.
MONTHLY LEVY PAYMENT R1500,00 PLUS CSOS R20,00 = R1520,00 PER MONTH
In terms of the resolution levies are due by the 1st of each month in advance. Prompt and consistent levy payments by all owners, is a critical success factor for the successful management of any complex.
A grace period of 7 days is normally given to owners before interest is being charged on arrear levies. This means that the payment must reflect on the Meyersdal Crest’s bank account on or before the 7th of the month – If a payment is made from another bank to Meyersdal Crests Bank Account remember that it will take a couple of days to reflect in the Standard Bank account.
The monthly levy amount of 1 500,00 plus CSOS of 20,00 is due on the 1st of every month. Levies are used for the day to day running of our upmarket Estate. Residents are to contact and inform Coleman Properties should they not be receiving their monthly levy statement at gl@colprop.co.za. It is the Resident’s responsibility to ensure they are receiving their monthly statements by supplying their correct address/information and notifying Coleman Properties telephonically or through email.
Coleman Properties have developed a new portal. To view your statements, Residents are encouraged to activate their account with WeconnectU which is printed on your Levy Statement. Should your account not be activated it will read as follows:
Your statement will be easy to obtain by using the above portal and queries on your account can then be sent via email or phoning Coleman Properties directly and speak to Gerhard Lombard or Amy Becker Tel: +27 (0)11 867 3773.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
OUSTANDING LEVIES
There are Residents whose accounts are in arrears:
1 Resident x R6 948,00
2 Resident x R4 500,00
2 Resident x R3 520,00
MCHA has R 37 333,82 outstanding on our debtors and would appreciate Residents bringing their levies up to date as levies are critical in the upkeep of our Estate.
This is problematic for the cashflow management of the Estate and defeats the purpose of what we aim to do, which is to maintain the Estate in the best manner possible, keep the finances at a positive whilst building the reserve towards the targeted amount. We urge all defaulters to please bring these arrears up to date to avoid legal action. Please be reminded that the legal cost associated with pursuing this route will be for your own accounts (the Residents in arrears as per the Rules of the Estate and MOI), and hence we want to eliminate all unnecessary costs and effort by all parties. However, we will pursue this option if we have exhausted all other.
We appreciate that the economic conditions are deteriorating, and the inflation is rising at unprecedented levels and thus placing several households under severe financial strain. However, our levies remain exceptionally low and affordable comparatively speaking. So, we would like to encourage all Residents to bear the safety, comfort, and beauty of the Estate always, and do the correct thing.
In general, the MCHA Board of Directors have a better control on both the cash in and out flows and we aim to give you a more detailed update at the upcoming AGM (exact date still to be determined).
No member shall be entitled to any of the privileges of Membership unless all levies have been paid, special levy and interest thereto which may be due and payable by that member to MCHA, from whatsoever cause arising.
MCHA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
Coleman Properties are waiting for the MCHA Financials from the Auditors. The next Annual General Meeting (AGM) date will be scheduled once the financials have been received. The details thereof will be communicated to Residents in due course. Residents that are unable to attend the AGM are encouraged to sign a proxy and communicate with the Estate Manager accordingly.
EXIT CODES - IMPORTANT
RESIDENTS TO ENSURE VISITORS HAVE EXIT CODE
MCHA would like Residents to be mindful and respectful of fellow residents, visitors and deliveries and follow procedure to ensure a smooth traffic flow.
MOI – The amended proposal of the MOI will be presented at the Annual General Meeting. The final draft has been circulated with the previous Newsletter, and we would like to convey our appreciation for all the inputs received to get to this stage.
MCHA SPEED LIMIT REMINDER
Speeding in the Estate is constantly under the spotlight and once again, we would like to appeal to all Residents and visitors to adhere to the speed limit of 30km per hour and to be mindful of the children at play around the Estate.
PAVEMENTS AND PAVED AREAS
This serves as a reminder to all Residents to attend to their pavements on a weekly basis by keeping them neat, tidy and free of weeds. This is critical for the appreciation of the location and beautification of the surroundings we call Home.
SECURITY
Residents are urged to report any incidents immediately to the Guard House or Estate Manager. The Guard House number is 076 878 4836. The Guards have a panic button and Protective Force Security will send out their patrol vehicle to assist with any potential challenge. Do not wait until the following day to report any security incidents. Please capture this number in your mobile phone/s in case of emergencies.
ELECTRIC FENCE – HERON STREET
The Electric Fence in Heron Street has been repaired and is working. We urge Residents to keep the Electric Fence free of any trees, creepers and foliage that are encroaching on the Electric Fence as this may compromise our security elements. Plants touching the Electric Fence causes the Fence to become less energized thus decreasing the effectiveness of the Security Fence and also sets off the alarm in the Guard House.
REMOTES
SECURITY REASONS
MCHA will accept remotes left at the Guard House for Activation/Reactivation or cancellation only if confirmation has been received from the Resident through email or telephonically. This applies when ordering new remotes.
New remotes may be ordered from the Estate Manager: -
R200,00 for a 2 x Button remote and R250,00 for a 4 x Button Remote.
CHECK IF THE BATTERY OF THE REMOTE IS STILL ACTIVE BEFORE HANDING IN TO BE RE-ACTIVATED. THE LITTLE LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP WHEN ANY KEY IS PRESSED ON THE REMOTE. MCHA DOES NOT STOCK BATTERIES FOR REMOTES, AND IT IS INCUMBENT ON RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR REMOTES ARE EFFECTIVE.
MAINTENANCE – ALTERATIONS AND RENOVATIONS
Approval from the Board of Directors through the MCHA Estate Manager, Brenda Mitchell.
Submit the following information:
- Paint Colours (earth colours are approved for MCHA)
- Digging for a borehole
- Completion Dates and/or Project Timelines
- REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS MAXIMUM 6 MONTHS
HOME FOR SALE – 10 FRANCOLIN STREET – R 2 755-OOO
THANK YOU. WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS THE AGM, AND HOPING TO SEE YOU IN ATTENDANCE FOR THIS CRITICAL EVENT IN THE LIFE OF THE ESTATE.
Kind Regards
MCHA Board of Directors
