Jill Burdett on the continuing disgrace at Timber Wharf. You may want to read this story and this one first, although the story here provides some background too.
SO I went along to the Timber Wharf leaseholders meeting at the weekend – and got chucked out.
Some have had to re-mortgage to find the money, others have borrowed from friends and family and the personal stories of hardship, helplessness and stress are dreadful.
It was all going swimmingly and the update from Mainstay and the management committee on who might pay the £1m bill for repairs to the roof and the upper balconies was interesting and galling in equal measure.
The frustration of the owners over the lack of responsibility from those who built the block and signed it off seethed round the room.
Then someone recognised me, Googled me even, and it all kicked off.
Some wanted me out pronto but they had just been discussing how best to use the power of the media and the majority of owners see Confidential as an ally rather than a foe and wanted me to stay.
We compromised on a sensible, sit down meeting with the management committee afterwards.
They have been battling this scandal for years and I admire their dedication and dry humour - and now there is a glimmer of hope.
After years of prevarication the National House Builders Council (NHBC), which insured the RIBA Award winning building when it was completed in 2002, recently had positive discussions with the management committee and is looking at the programme of works that are planned.
It will not cover the roof, the policy signed off did not cover the flat roof, but they are looking at the cost of repairs to the seventh floor balconies and the sliding doors which have not been fit for purpose since day one.
Flat Roof hell
Let’s hope then that the NHBC helps with at least part of the work because at the moment it is the only player in this whole shocking saga.
Nothing from the architect Glenn Howells, nor any of the engineers, Buro Happold, Faber Maunsell and Martin Stockleys, who presumably oversaw the engineering of the building and crucial detail like drainage holes, and definitely nothing from Urban Splash who both commissioned and built the block.
In fact the only people who have paid anything at all so far are the majority of the 181 leaseholders who have coughed up more than £560,000 after Section 20 demands were sent out to cover the cost of the work before Christmas.
Some have had to re-mortgage to find the money, others have borrowed from friends and family and the personal stories of hardship, helplessness and stress are dreadful.
Urban Splash has chosen to ignore the Section 20 notices.
It owns 17 apartments and six commercial units in the building – including its own headquarters – and its portion of the £1m repair bill would be £186,000. But while individuals have struggled to find their share Splash has paid not a penny into the repair fund, despite repeated requests from Mainstay.
No sign either of £155,000 it promised as a “no strings goodwill gesture.”
To be fair if you have debts of £240m and owe one bank alone £90m you are going to be struggling to find the readies. I suspect the decision to pay does not lay with Tom Bloxham.
Time is of the essence though as the committee want to start the repair works to both the roof and the seventh floor balconies in April to hopefully get everything completed and water tight before the autumn. They can ill afford another winter with the leaks already down to some of the apartments on the fourth floor.
The tactic is to get all the money from leaseholders to cover the cost of the work but in the meantime keep pursuing those responsible for a significant contribution so the owners can get their money paid back.
But there is a fear voiced at the lease meeting that if they commission and start repair work it absolves everyone else of their responsibilities, which would be an even bigger scandal because really people have to be called to account here.
Which means there is about a six week window to get all the players involved to accept shared responsibility.
Because whoever’s fault this is, it is definitely not the leaseholders, and after trying to keep this whole saga secret for years for fear of blighting the building they now realise the power of publicity.
Timber Wharf on the right, the savings of the residents might as well be on that barge sailing into the distance
The NHBC is in the business of insuring buildings and the more helpful and proactive they are at finding a solution the more business they will win and the more buyers would want to see their certificate when purchasing a new build.
The NHBC could come out of it well if it funds the majority of repairs to the seventh floor.
Urban Splash is all about the brand which is already tarnished with negative publicity.
Manchester United had been in talks about buying the ad space on the side of the scaffolding that will be needed during the works but pulled out after reading about the row.
Pity really as they could have gained much kudos from the deal as the money would have reduced the amount needed from residents. It would have been immediate good PR for 181 people, and especially gratifying given that Mr Bloxham is a massive Reds fan.
