Rules for Residents
The 'First Schedule' is a set of rules to ensure neighbours live happily together, enjoying their home undisturbed. It provides peace of mind that this will remain a nice place to live for everyone. Every Shipgate owner agrees to the deed of covenant when they buy their home. Residents agree to live by them, and landlords must ensure their tenants conform to them.
Owners will have a copy of the document, but in the past tenants have not had sight of them either before or after they became residents.
The covenant is re-written below in plain English, but the original First Schedule can be read in full on the Documents Page.
1a. Can I let my property as a holiday let or Air B&B?
No. The properties can only be occupied as long-term homes. The tenancy agreement must be for a minimum of 6 months
1a. Can I let my property as a holiday let or Air B&B?
No. The properties can only be occupied as long-term homes. The tenancy agreement must be for a minimum of 6 months
1b. Can I let my propertyu to multiple occupants, student groups or adult sharers?
Short answer: No. Homes must be occupied by a single family unit, or a single occupant. Family unit means anything from a married couple with children, an unmarried couple, a couple in a civil partnership, a same sex couple or a single person living alone. It excludes any relatives beyond parents or children, unrelated friends or strangers.
This term is simply used to prevent groups of students or adult sharers renting properties. Residents felt that The Shipgate was not designed to deal any added noise, rubbish, parking requirements that come with extra occupants, or the impact on the exisiting Shipgate community.
1c. Can I let my property to students or DSS?
No. Properties cannot be let to students or DSS.
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This is not stated in the First Schedule, but the Underlease.
2. Don't put rubbish or fat down your drains or sinks.
We all live side by side, and in some cases on top of each other! Our pipes are all connected, so a small problem in one home can lead to problems in others. Residents should not throw rubbish or soil in the drains, baths, sinks or toilets and landlords should ensure that they do not 'permit' their tenants to do this either.
3. How noisy can I be?
There are only two things to be aware of:
1. You cannot cause annoyance to any of your neighbours, no matter what the time.
2. Noise may not be audible outside your apartment between the hours 11 p.m and 9 a.m.
The flats are built largely from solid concrete, so you cannot hear every day noise. However heavy base beats can travel throughout the building during building work or from extremely loud music. These rules mean you can be assured of a peaceful home here.
4a. What can I put up in my windows?
The only thing you must not put in your window are signs/placards.
This prevents any divisive politics coming between neighbours (homophobic campaign posters being next door to LGBT neighbours, or a BNP placard being near someone of colour, for example).
The only thing you must do is make sure your curtains are lined. There are so many homes overlooking our courtyard, it's nice to see a cohesive look.
4b. Can I use my balcony for drying clothes?
No.
4c. Can I put decorative objects or plants in communal areas?
Short answer: no. But if you have a plant you'd like to donate to the shared courtyard the gardening group will try their best to find a spot for it.
We already have shared pots and beds. Keeping the courtyard clear keeps the development unified and tidy. You can put a hanging basket on any existing hooks. If you have a balcony that's your own to plant whatever you like.
4d. Can I have a pet?
Yes!
You're allowed well-behaved domestic pets. The original legal language is confusing as it seems to require consent for 'bird dogs'. What this refers to is a working animal, but domestic pets are fine! If you are thinking of buying here your solicitor may recommending writing to our managing agent for consent to keep a pet to ensure compliance with the covenant. The original covenant allows for one pet, but there has been a precedent set here for many years with residents having two cats or two well-behaved dogs with no issues.
Tenants, The Shipgate allows domestic pets, but your landlord may not. Always check!
5. How many people can live in one apartment?
As long as you're obeying the Housing Acts on overcrowding, we don't have any rules beyond the law.
6. Can I block acess to the carpark?
No. Some of these rules are pretty obvious!
7. Can I use the carpark for anything other than parking?
No. Only parking! You can't use everyone's garage for personal DIY, parties or BBQ's.
8. Can I park in someone elses space?
No, not without their consent. Please use your own space so everyone else can use their own space. We have a WhatsApp group residents are free to join, which many people use to ask about extra parking for their guests.
9. Can I put up an aerial?
No external radio or TV aerial can be erected. The Shipgate has its own aerial that we can all use.
10. Can I leave things obstructing communal areas?
No. Communal areas should be left unobstructed so everyone can get around and use the stairs safely and easily.