Railings or solid fencing ?

New to the site,so hope this has not already been discussed? I am an owner of penthouse apartment on Phase 1,saw something being discussed at AGM phase 2 about allowing railings to be fitted to increase safety?Was this also covering adding railing to penthouse terrace?for me I find the walls a little too low for comfort(especially as we are on the end of a block!) but also would like to know about the possibility of adding some solid screening to the internal walls to add privacy

Any comments or views appreciated

 

Stephen

Hi Smithsbronsgrove

Welcome to the site. Yes you are correct there have been a number of postings which can be seen under another thread regarding replacing concrete walls with railings on 1st  floor and penthouse apartments on Phase 2 as this was discussed at the AGM and owners were told they would need approval of all the community to make changes to the aesthetics but were given permission if it was on safety grounds.

I can only suggest you get in touch with the President of Phase 1 or the administrators direct at info@housingcommunidades.com  to ask their policy on the things you are planning.

As far as internal changes are concerned I would not think you would have to have any permission but you ought to check it out just in case some sort of planning permission was needed, though I doubt it.

For any queries regarding your apartment once snagging etc. has been completed the administrator is the first port of call as they ruin the community.

Hugh Man

I hope you mean that the administrators "run" the community rather than "ruin" the community!!!! Gave me a laugh anyway!

 

LOL

Mervin

My sincere apologies to all for the typo, it was of course meant to read RUN the community as you correctly pointed out                 ( before anyone threatens to sue me ).

Perhaps we should reserve judgement on the other possibility.

I suppose I ought to be grateful that someone takes the time to read my posts even if though they may contain errors.

Hugh Man

 

Many thanks for a quick response- sorry I have only just picked it up - thought I get an e-mail if someone is interested/able to respond?

Thanks for the advice - sorry my message was not very clear but I meant adding additional height railings to the existing wall on the terrace externally for safety and screening to the adjacent walls to the other penthouse apartment for privacy.

I will contact the administrators as you suggest

 

Thanks again

just wondering if anybody has made any progress on this issue. we are buying a penthouse in phase 3b and when i visted Roda a while back everything looked great, but i was a bit shocked at how low the walls where, especially on the roof top. We have small kids and  will have to do something about this, regardless of what roda say.

Ray

On Phase 2 owners have been allowed to increase the railing height on safety grounds with no problems other than cost, not sure how to increase height if you have solid wall but am sure something can be done.

As you are aware some owners in Phase 2 have asked if they can replace solid walls with railings to improve their outlook especially as some have been disappointed to find more solid walls than railings on the balconies.

It was decided that this decision would have to be put to an EGM which is obviously expensive to organise. I think the latest view is that it may be possible to have some sort of EGM for all communities so that permission to change solid wall to railings could be given across the board provided design was compliant with existing.

Should you have any particular queries you should ensure you either attend Phase 3B AGM or put the question through a proxy to the administrator who I have already mentioned take responsibility for running the community.

I doubt very much that Roda will change the design as it follows the plan and they will tell you any changes would have to go through the community.whose rules on facade changes are quite specific.

Update

 

I have referred this to the president of phase 1 who has raised it with the appropriate person( administrator -as hugh man kindly advised) I am awaiting a response. I am unfortunaltely not visiting now until August and sometimes these things are easier to discuss and sort out face to face ?so if anyone can add any more info or weight behind this that would be great.

My children are now all growing up and(reasonably) sensible but we are renting out to freinds with younger children which has hightened our concerns.

 

stephen smith

Hi 

We are nearing completion of our phase 3b penthouse apt. - mid to end Sept. accoding to Roda update today.

On our last visit we noticed that some apartment terraces have railings and some have solid walls. We spoke to Roda rep about this in April and asked which we would have in our apartment (92-3-D).   She was unable to confirm which, at that time, and we stressed that we have a strong preference for railings. Unfortunately, we got news today that we will have a solid wall on the terrace. 

I gather from reading this thread that this was an issue for other owners in phase 2 - was there any progress made on this at the AGM for phase 2?  or for phase 3a ? Is it possible to change to railings after completion? Has onyone done it? and is it a major expense?

I'd appreciate any info anyone has on this

Thanks

Viv

An EGM has to be called in order to raise the issue.  We have been told that they will not do this if this is the only issue to be considered - they have to wait until there are several items to put on the agenda or for the next AGM.  As you will see from previous threads we are verry disappointed to have a solid wall and not railings and tried very hard to get permission to get these changed as this would be not only better for us but, we think, would improve the looks of the whole phase.

Hi

 

I am still at Roda and was permitted to attend an AGM for the whole community comprising Presidents and Vice Presidents where as usual lots got discussed but little decided.

 

I brought up the questions of the railings as I thought it a good forum with reps from all phases. I was told it would have to be decided at an AGM of each community ans as Phase 1 do not suffer the same problem they hav no interest.

I can only suggest continued lobbying of the Administrator and try to enlist as much support as possible to get this changed. I would imagine a number of people on Phase 2 and 3 will be disappointed especially as show flat and most of Phase 1 has railings.

 

Keep up the fight

 

Chris

Hi Chris

Just back from hols so only reading your message now....thanks for that. We will contact the administrator and hope that if many others do the same, then we might...eventually....get somewhere with this. 

Viv

The issue of replacing solid walls on the terraces with railings is to be brought up at the Phase 2 AGM to be held on Friday 27 March.  I have asked Roda if they can give me a quote for this work and think it would also be a good idea to get quotes from other local builders.  If anyone can suggest a company I will contact them.

A local company that has done railings, security grills etc on our site is Walls phone number 676 660 381.  We have used them they are very pleasant and helpful