As part of our maintenance program, we installed FD30 fire doors in the ground floor bin and landlord service stores. Each door features intumescent fire seals on the frame, a fire-rated transom panel, a fire-rated D handle, three hinges, kick and push plates, and a combination lock. These solid-core doors replace hollow-core doors and will help contain the spread of flames and smoke in case of a fire.
Category Archives: Health & Safety
Landlords, your Gas Safety duties
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is important to understand the laws regarding gas safety. As a tenant, you must always have a landlord legally responsible for the safety of the gas appliances in your flat. When was the last time you saw your landlord’s gas safety record? If your gas appliances, including your boiler, have not been safety-checked within the last year, there could be a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
From 1st October 2022, a CO alarm is required to be fitted in every habitable room of a rental property containing gas appliances (excluding appliances used for cooking purposes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland). The landlord is required to carry out checks and tests to ensure that carbon monoxide alarms in the rental property are working the day any new tenancy begins. From 1st January 2013, properties without inspection hatches for flues in voids are considered ‘At Risk’.
Remember, as a landlord, you have a legal responsibility for the gas safety of your tenants and a moral obligation to everyone living at Malting Mead, including neighbours in adjoining flats. Find out whether your property is Gas-Safe now.
Fire safety in your Flat
The risk of spread of fire is considerable in blocks of flats due to their density. Prevention and making a Fire Escape Plan is key to your safety. Ensure you know what to do in an emergency. As part of your safety plan, install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and test weekly.
Fire Action Notices are displayed on the noticeboards. Do not store or leave items on the stairs, landings or passageways, which are escape routes. No petrol or other inflammable material be stored in flats or any part of the development. The covered common areas are smoke-free by law.
Hertfordshire Fire Service provides a Home Fire Safety self-check or request a Home Fire Safety Visit.
Security camera
A security camera has been installed on the south elevation at Malting Mead. It covers a section of the public footpath, the two pedestrian gates, and part of the garage area. In the event of criminal activity, vandalism and suspicious behaviour, evidence will be passed to the police and authorities.
Balconies – rain water drainage
Standing water on balconies causes problems over time. We ask leaseholders with balconies to ensure the drain hole is not covered and clear of leaves and other debris. Doing this helps clear standing water, that can ingress into the brick cavities, causing unnecessary and costly repairs.
External changes to the building
We remind all Leaseholders that before making any external changes to their flats, they must first contact P&R Management Services for permission to ensure that the works do not affect the structure or appearance of the building or the rights of other leaseholders.
Remember, you don’t own the bricks and mortar or the land on which your flat is built. Permission is required for, but not limited to; gas boiler flues, vents, pipes, waste outlets, cables, windows, balcony/patio doors, front doors, store cupboard doors, garage doors and anything else that could affect the outside fabric and appearance of the building. P&R will advise Leaseholders of any fees for their time to obtain permissions and project manage any works for and on behalf of Endymion Management Co. Ltd.
New and replacement boiler flue and ventilation grilles must be black or brown on brickwork and white on painted walls. Redundant flues or vents must be removed and blocked up. Adjoining surfaces must be made good and match existing finishes. Do not copy what has gone before
No external satellite dishes or aerials are permitted at Malting Mead.
Please refer to the FAQ section for detailed information on the approved style and specification for any replacement windows and balcony/patio doors.
Mould spots and condensation
Black mould spots on walls and ceilings, and moisture on the inside of windows, are commonly caused by condensation due to a lack of air circulation. This issue is often a ‘lifestyle problem’. Bathrooms, kitchens, and drying laundry are the primary sources of steam and moisture in a flat. The most effective solution is to open windows into the vent position. Mould spots can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated. For more information on steps to reduce condensation and black mould growths, click here. The external walls at Malting Mead have cavity wall insulation. You must get approval from the Management before fitting an airbrick or vent.
Smoking and Vaping
We remind all smokers that the landings, stairwells, passageways and undercroft car ports at Malting Mead are SMOKE-FREE enclosed public place by Law. Please do not smoke or use e-cigarettes in any of the smoke-free areas and, if you do smoke on the unrestricted parts of the development, ensure you discard of your cigarette butts responsibly.
BBQs
We remind everyone that BBQs are NOT PERMITTED on balconies, patios or anywhere on the grounds. This is due to the high fire risk in this type of environment. You will be in breach of your lease. Thank you for your support.
Wipes, cooking oil and fats…
DO NOT put wipes down the toilet, no matter what it says on the packaging, or pour cooking oil or fats down the sink. You need to dispose of along with your household waste in a strong black bin liner and put in the black lidded bin in your bin room. Thank you in helping us keep Malting Mead drains running clear! Read more here.
Borough news, Recycling and Fly-tipping
Attached here are the leaflets from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Serco door dropped this week with latest news and information about your Waste & Recycling and the problems of Fly-tipping. NB: Malting Mead black and blue lidded bins are collected weekly. There are NO brown bins at Malting Mead.
Guide to private renting
In all privately rented property you’ll have certain rights and responsibilities whether you are the landlord or the tenant. Click here for important information from GOV.UK
LED Lighting
As part of our ongoing maintenance and improvements programme, we replaced the ageing exterior lighting at Malting Mead with bulkhead fittings using LED technology. The new IP65-rated, 4000k fittings provide significant energy savings and low maintenance compared to the old 28W 2D fittings. We installed Emergency lighting to the stairwells, with a green indicator light showing active. Residents will have an illuminated escape route in a power cut. The bin rooms and caretakers’ cupboards have movement sensors fitted and automatically come on when you enter and turn off soon after leaving. We also added one twin-switched socket power outlet to each caretaker cupboard in blocks 2, 3 and 4.
Recycling Centres across the borough
Hertfordshire County Council provides recycling centres across the region where residents can recycle household waste such as light bulbs, batteries, cooking and engine oil, electrical items and much more – you can also dispose of household waste, although you will be required to recycle all that you can.
For further information, visit the WasteAware website. Or, you can get large items collected by arranging a bulky waste collection.
New cabinet noticeboards
We have installed smart new aluminium noticeboards in the ground floor walkthroughs. These replace the old unsightly wooden panels, better present messages and greatly improve the appearance of our common areas. The cabinets will display important messages, notices, essential information and statutory Smoke-Free Regulations. We still recommend frequent visits to maltingmead.com for useful FAQ’s and more resources relating to Malting Mead.
New exterior signage
We have replaced the mish-mash of old white on black & black on white exterior signs with newly designed & specified white aluminium panels by GDA. The flat numbers now correctly relate to each floor, making wayfinding more easily understood for visitors and deliveries. All the signage across Malting Mead now matches for font, colour, material and alignment for the first time, greatly improving the overall appearance.
Gas Safe Regulations (Flues in voids) with effect 1.1.2013
“Some properties, mainly flats and apartments, have boiler flues which cannot be inspected because they are hidden behind walls or ceilings. The boiler flues that this information relates to are connected to room-sealed fan assisted boilers only. If you live in one of these homes then please read on for more information so you know what to do.”
http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/flues_in_voids.aspx
If you are a tenant, it is the responsibility of your landlord to ensure that the boiler is checked every year and the flue is able to be examined.
Welcome to Malting Mead 