All change please! Locks on bin-store & entry doors

So the bin-store shall now require a key-thob, instead of a security code. A similar change will be made to the main entry, albeit at a later date.

Why is this necessary? it seems that a number of residents do not know, or cannot remember, the key-code for the bin-store... and therefore drop their rubbish outside.

Most might see this as laziness. However, if residents need a key-thob to enter the building - then it might be a simple task for all residents to throw their own rubbish away more appropriately. It is therefore a good change.

Now let us hope that the property managers, estate-agents, and property owners all get their act together... such that each and every official resident is granted a set of key-thobs in time. We would not wish anyone to be left on the street... along with their rubbish! ;o)

Elevator not working - again

I called the out-of-hours contact to notify that the elevator in the building was not working.

Specified that this was stuck at the ground-floor, with the doors open.
Additionally mentioned that the elevator cabin was slightly below floor high, with doors open, and therefore presented a health & safety hazard.

If I recall correctly, this is the 4th time this has occurred since August 2010.

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Previously, I have made Residential Partners aware of the curious behaviour of the elevator with regards to the 3rd floor. If the elevator is called to both the 3rd and 4th floor - then the elevator will go up to Floor 4, yet when it is descending from the 4th floor it will not stop at the 3rd floor. The only way to get the elevator to stop is if the person in the lift kindly pressing the button for floor 3 (hence you might hear someone shout up "please press floor 3").

To date I have not received any response to this notification.
Additionally, the light does not work on the elevator button for floor 3 (the button located on the 3rd floor). Residential Partners have previously been made aware of this - back in Autumn 2010.

Proper Property Security...?

So changes are planned. They replaced the fire-door on the north side of the building (seems to be similar to the last one), and have hired a company to patrol the building. This means that you might see a chap wearing a reflective jacket, carrying a large torch.

It might have been an idea for the property company to inform us of the name of the company, and their contact number. Whilst I doubt many residents will challenge someone wearing a reflective jacket and claiming to be a security guard... it would be smart for a thief to do just the same thing - and can then wonder around checking that doors are locked (or not), etc...
Note: the security guard does carry an ID badge, and this matches with the publicity boards now attached to the stairwell on floor 2.

Having met the security chap in the reception of the building, I head outside and spot curious behaviour in the dustbin area. When I notified the security chap he jumped back, then called for support. I left him to do his job. (Sorry, I have my own life to live - and don't get personally involved in evicting people from dustbin rooms)

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In other news, we are likely to be issued with key-thobs to use to gain access to the building - and the front-door will be reinforced. The physical key-thobs will replace the current key-code system. Apparently the wrong people have been gaining access to the building...

Whilst in principal this is a good idea - in that only those with the "keys" can get in... What will happen when the power goes out? (the current system will leave the doors open, guess it will be the same under the new system); what about when you have friends visiting - and need more key-thobs?
...and it still does not preclude "tailgaters" = those who follow people into the building whilst the door is open....

How to use this Blog? what the hell is a Blog?

For those looking for an introduction... 

Blogging is simply a way to share comments on events. Often taking the shape of an online diary [see wikipedia.org]

This Blog is to share news amongst residents of Albany Court, and for residents to provide their views. The Management Company (and estate agents), have not displayed particularly good communication skills. Frequently, notice-board postings have been removed from the entrance to the building (printed or hand-written). This website is intended to help resolve this situation. From mouse reports, to rubbish... or why we lost electricity (and water) for a day!

There is equal access to this blog for residents who own their flat, or others who are renting their homes. Albany Court residents can publish their own posts, or comment on existing posts (like this one). Access will be controlled to prevent abuse by non-residents. This site is not intended as a marketing tool for estate agents, nor other external organizations (and therefore won't be provided publish access). It is a blog by the residents, for the residents.

Mind your language, please! Users are kindly requested to use appropriate language, and to avoid defamatory comments. This is a forum for your frank and honest contributions, please do this with appropriate respect. This is intended to be an open channel, and therefore any submissions not deemed suitable might be deleted by the blog administrators.