Jaargang 3 Volume 1 Amptelike Nuusbrief van Zevenzicht Landgoed Maart 2008 It is with great pleasure that we bring you the autumn edition of Gozzip. We hope that you find the contents informative and helpful, especially if you are a new Resident. Important Notices Your Trustees made a number of important decisions at their last meeting which will have an impact on one and all of us. Please take note of the following: Paint Colours Residents intending to repaint the outside of their homes should still discuss the colour to be used with Mr Piet Steyn. There are 100 colours to choose from and he is in the position to assist and advise you. However, townhouses may only be repainted with the existing colour. The colour code is E12-1 and carries the Plascon name of Canson. Skouhuise Wanneer u dalk u huis wil verkoop, moet u asseblief kennis neem dat Eiendomsagente aan die volgende voorwaardes moet voldoen vir die skou van huise: Eiendomsagente sal slegs op 'n Sondag tussen 14:00 en 17:00 mag skou. Borde mag 'n halfuur voor die tyd opgesit word en moet nie later nie as 17:30 afgehaal wees. Borde wat nie betyds af is nie sal deur sekuriteit afgehaal word en mag slegs teruggekry word nadat R300-00 by die Bestuursagent inbetaal is. Slegs 3 (drie) borde word toegelaat - een op perseel en twee as rigtingborde. Geen vlae of ander vorm van advertensie word toegelaat nie. 'n Bord buite die landgoed op Munisipale eiendom word nie as een van die borde geag nie. Beskadiging van besproeiingstelsel of enige ander eiendom sal vir die rekening van die agent wees. Page 1
Eiendomsagente moet Sekuriteit vooraf voorsien van die agent se naam, telefoonnommer en adres van die skouwoning. Verkoopborde mag maksimum van 30 dae op `n perseel staan. Sundays and other Christian Public Holidays The Trustees approved a rule that the mowing of lawn on a Sunday or other Christian Public Holiday is illegal. Boetes Die Trustees ervaar dat sekere Inwoners hulle nie steur aan skrywes wanneer hulle die reëls oortree nie. Daar is dus besluit dat `n boete gehef sal word nadat twee vorige waarskuwings geïgnoreer is. Daarby sal slegs klagtes wat skriftelik ontvang word vir waarskuwings en boetes in aanmerking geneem word. Die volgende boetes is oorweeg en is geneem uit `n lys wat deur munisipaliteite gebruik word: Oortreding Boete Oormatige geraas op bouperseel R 1 000 Ongemagtigde Vuurwerke R 1 000 Diere & Voëls wat raas R 250 Weier om opdrag te gee aan kennisgewing R 500 Oordadige harde musiek van Radio, TV, Dromme, Musiekinstrumente, ens. R 500 Parkering op sypaadjie, publieke oop ruimtes R 250 Aanhoudende geraas van alarmstelsel R 250 Raserige swembad en ander pompe R 250 Ongemagtigde bedryf van besigheid vanaf woning R 500 Onwettige advertensie of ander borde R 250 Geraas van masjiene, bv. elektriese saag, skuurder, ens. R 500 Peuter met besproeiingstelsel R 500 Beskadiging van enige landgoed eiendom R 500 Gebruik van ongemagtigde voertuie in landgoed R 500 Bou-oortredings R 500 Strooi van rommel, grassnysels, ens. R 500 Vullisdrom buite gelaat R 250 Diere nie aan leibande of loslopend R 250 The Trustees realise that in some instances it would be difficult to prove that a Resident has broken the Rules, especially those where noise is the problem. We would, therefore, call upon Residents to exercise patience with neighbours pursuing a hobby or do-it-yourself project and resolve a problem between themselves before complaining in writing to the Estate Manager. Page 2
Chairman s Report Richard Low During the last 5 months a number of issues have been resolved and decisions have been taken. As you are aware Mr Piet Steyn has been appointed permanently as Residential Manager and your Trustees wish to thank him for the diligent manner in which he is carrying out his duties. The Residential Manager and the Trustees have received a number of requests, ideas and complaints from Owners and Residents covering a range of issues. I would like to assure you that all issues that we have been made aware of are discussed at the monthly committee meetings and urgent items are considered more frequently, by means of e-mail if necessary. Where possible we try to get back to Residents as quickly as possible, but there are times that more complex issues require the committee to debate the request before a decision can be taken, and replies can be delayed. Please bear in mind that decisions are often taken with what we presume the majority of Residents would want, even though it may go against an individual s views. The following major decisions and actions have been taken since the last Gozzip was issued. Each Trustee portfolio holder will elaborate in more detail on each subject. Security A new local security company, Thunderforce, has been employed from 1st March 2008. Koreserv security has not been performing to our expectations and following an incident between two guards, it was decided to change. Quotes were obtained from various security companies and interviews held with those selected. Thunderforce is currently used at Zevendal and Zevenwacht Country Estate. Finances Quotes were obtained and interviews conducted with three different Managing Agents with regard to the financial and legal controls and aspects. A decision was taken to remain with Residentia at present from a financial point of view. The various Managing Agents could not offer any additional service for their additional cost and as there is no guarantee that there will be a performance improvement, we could not justify the extra expense. However, if owners are not in agreement with this decision the matter can be voted on at the next AGM. Page 3
Estate Rules Thirty km/h speed restriction boards have been erected around the Estate as requested at the last AGM. The smaller type of board was chosen to minimise the visual effect on the Estate. The Trustees ask that all road users respect the speed limits. Cleaning of open plots has been changed to every two months instead of when required. An agreement has been made with the garden services to do this at R100 a plot every two months. This is the same cost as doing an annual cleanup at R600 per plot. Notifications in this respect have been sent to plot owners. Maintenance of open spaces A borehole pump, irrigation equipment and electrical installation equipment have been ordered to install the borehole irrigation system. This should allow us to develop and landscape the front lawn area to make it visually attractive and an open space for all residents to use and enjoy. A meeting was held with Mr Colin Stevenson regarding, amongst other things, the dam wall, cladding and sealing at the fountain, trees and irrigation at the open spaces, perimeter wall and road cracks. An engineer has been on the Estate with Mr Stevenson to investigate the various issues. Development control Rules and regulations regarding building matters are being updated and building completion certificates are being re-introduced. In addition, an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is being established to ensure building rules are adhered to. Communication Trustee decisions and ongoing projects are being communicated to residents and owners through this medium (The Gozzip) and via special notices from time to time. The Trustee Committee is endeavouring to ensure that all interested parties are kept up to date with developments in the Estate. Finally I wish to thank all the Trustees for the time and effort put into assisting Mr Piet Steyn in running and managing the Estate. We are trying to ensure that all Owners investments in land and buildings on the Estate continue to increase, whilst at the same time residents can live in a safe, secure and pleasant environment. Page 4
Communication with Residents Coen de Milander InterCall The Trustees are currently investigating the option of installing InterCall as an increased measure to manage entrance to the Estate. The Telkom InterCall product offers residential security estates a cost effective solution for controlling access through the gate of their estate. Telkom InterCall offers the functionality of an intercom system, but it works over normal Telkom fixed lines. Calls originated from the gate to any Telkom number within the security estate, or visa versa, is free of charge. Calls from the gate to a prepaid phone number in the estate will be free of charge, but if the resident with a prepaid phone phones the gate, the call will be billed per normal rates. The duration of calls between the gate and residents is set at 60 seconds. Telkom InterCall does not require any start-up cost or any maintenance contracts. The cost for the system will be R375 per month, resulting in a R2.34 levy per resident. This option places the responsibility of admitting visitors squarely on the shoulders of Residents, rather than a guard intimidated by, or talked into, allowing the wrong people entrance to our Estate. Internet Presence At the Annual General Meeting it was suggested to start a webpage for the estate. The Trustees investigated the possibilities of such a venture and are exited about the benefits that can be attained. Not only is it possible to cut communication cost further, but it also offers the opportunity of enhancing the visual experience for residents in terms of layout, colour and ease of use. A number of options are available when implementing such a facility. It can range from a do-it-yourself kind of application dependent on a good hearted Samaritan running and maintaining the visuals, to a full fledged system requiring large resources in terms of computer capacity supported by expensive professional expertise. However, a decent content management system can be bought of the shelf, customised, and then easily maintained by someone with administrative skills. Such a package will cost R10 000 and can thereafter be maintained by the Residential Manager. Page 5
E-mail Addresses Only 23 residents responded by providing us with their e-mail addresses. The Trustees wish to stress the necessity that you supply us with all your contact details as soon as possible. That information is not readily available at the office right now and we have become extremely aware of the importance thereof when we recently had to phone a resident to inform him that his house was burning. Sekuriteit Renier Hickman Die voorsitter het in sy verslag genoem dat die Trustees besluit het om Thunderforce te kontrakteer om die Sekuriteit van ons Landgoed te hanteer. Die Trustees is vol vertroue dat Inwoners reeds `n verbeterde ondervinding van die diens ervaar. As bykomende voordeel bied Mnr Willie Cronje, eienaar van Thunderforce, Eienaars die geleentheid om die beheerkamer te skakel indien ons bystand nodig het ten tyde van `n noodgeval. Die nommer om te skakel is 021 905-0333. Moet asseblief nie huiwer om met ons in verbinding te tree wanneer u vrae, probleme of kwessies ervaar rondom die kwaliteit van die Sekuriteit. Laat weet ons gerus ook indien u die diens positief ervaar. Estate Rules Adri Conradie Governance The Zevenzicht Security Estate came into being by virtue of the developer choosing to develop the vacant land in terms of Section 29 of the Ordinance regulating land use in the Western Cape. This means that the Estate would be managed by a Home Owners Association whose powers are governed by law in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Municipal Council of the City of Cape Town. The management of our Estate has therefore been captured in a set of documents. These are: Constitution The Constitution sets the framework for the management of the Estate. It describes, inter alia, the main business of the association as the promotion, Page 6
advancement and protection of the members of the Association as owners of erven. Estate Rules As the Estate has been developed to provide a comfortable, harmonious and secure lifestyle for its Residents, the Rules have been adopted in accordance with the Constitution in order to ensure and promote such a lifestyle. It is Residents responsibility to ensure that all their invitees, including guests and tenants, abide by the Rules. These Rules govern all aspects regarding living in the Estate e.g. Security, Traffic, Domestic animals, Open spaces and Resident s Conduct. Development Guidelines The purpose of the Development Guidelines is to protect the long term values of property within the Estate, mainly to establish a cohesive residential environment. Regulations and Code of Conduct Governing Building Contractor Activity The primary intention of the provisions hereunder is to ensure that all building activity at Zevenzicht occurs with minimum disruption to Residents. Ons Finansies Jaco Smith Bestuursagente Die Trustees het besluit om Resientia Trust voorlopig as bestuursagente te behou. Die besluit is vanuit `n koste oogpunt gedoen, aangesien hulle redelike waarde bied teenoor die ander kwotasies wat ons gekry het. Inwoners sal egter tydens die komende Algemene Jaarvergadering geleentheid gebied word om anders daaroor te besluit. Finansiële State Die 2007/2008 finansiële jaar het op 29 Februarie 2008 tot `n einde gekom. As alles volgens plan verloop behoort die finansiële state einde Maart 2008 geoudit te word, waarna dit onder Eienaars vir ondersoek versprei sal word. Ons beplan om u reeds voor die Algeme Jaarvergadering geleentheid te bied om vrae te stel, sodat wanneer ons by die Algemene Vergadering kom daar slegs vlugtig deur die state gewerk kan word vir goedkeuring. Begroting 2008/2009 Residentia Trust het saam met die rekenings vir Februarie 2008 besonderhede oor die begroting vir 2008/2009 uitgestuur. U het dit hopelik reeds bestudeer om Page 7
te sien hoe die heffing wat vanaf 1 Maart 2008 betaalbaar is, saamgestel is. Soos u sal sien is die verhoging beperk tot 7.7% om dit in lyn te hou met die VPIX die inflasiekoers met die uitsluiting van rentekoerse. Indien u vrae oor die begroting het, kan u dit gerus skriftelik by Mnr Steyn laat. Andersins kan u aan my `n e-pos stuur by die adres hierbo of dit ook stuur aan Gozzip se e-pos-adres, naamlik gozzip72@gmail.com. Maintenance of Open Spaces Andries de Jager A pump will soon be installed and the borehole used to water the front green area and entrance. We plan to plant trees on this green area and further enhance it by building a small dam fed by the sloot. The garden refuse lying on the sidewalk at the entrance will soon be concealed as an area will be built directly behind the guardroom where it can be stored. Thanks to Mr Whitaker, the Estate s architect, who drew up the plans. Building will commence soon. We also want to thank Mr Colin Stevenson, developer of Zevenzicht, for making funds available to the extent that 30 trees and a number of shrubs can be planted on the large green area. We wish to appoint a sub-committee to take responsibility for the development and maintenance of the green areas. We are looking for volunteers who wish to become involved. Thanks to those who already agreed to help and, especially to Kelley, for her input so far with the development of our green areas. Please contact me or Piet Steyn should you wish to join. We would like to arrange a garden competition. However, we need some ideas, as well as donations to be used for prizes. Ontwikkelingsbeheer Francois du Toit Spoedwalle Geruime tyd het reeds verloop sedert gesprek begin het oor die plasing van spoedwalle binne die Landgoed. Daar is egter `n bepaalde proses wat Page 8
vir die aanbring daarvan gevolg moet word, aangesien die paaie binne die Landgoed aan die munisipaliteit behoort. Mnr Steyn het reeds op 5 November 2007 aansoek gedoen vir die aanbring van die spoedwalle, wat opgevolg is met skrywes en verskeie telefoonoproepe. Die bestuurder van die subraad van Oostenberg het Mnr Steyn op 12 Februarie 2008 telefonies ingelig dat die aansoek die nodige aandag geniet. Ons moet nou maar net duim vashou dat goedkeuring binnekort afgehandel sal wees. Padteken in Langverwachtpad Die munisipaliteit het die aanbring van `n padteken wat die afdraai na Zevenzicht aandui goedgekeur. Hulle skryf egter die standaard en plasing van die bord voor. Die Huiseienaarsvereniging betaal daarvoor, maar die munisipaliteit is die eienaar daarvan. Die bestelling vir die maak en die oprig van die bord is reeds gedoen. Residential Manager Piet Steyn Remote Controls, and Permits for Vehicles and Workers In order to apply for these, application should be made by obtaining and completing the applicable form. These forms are available from Mr Steyn or Security. Remote controls can be collected or permits called for after 24 hours. Please sign when taking receipt of these. No cost is involved for issuing permits, but remotes are charged at R130 apiece. Please note that Mr Steyn and Security do not handle any cash. All monies due will be charged to your account. There are currently a few second hand remotes available at R70 each. Verkoop van Eiendom Nadat `n eienaar sy / haar eiendom verkoop het, is daar volgens die reëls `n prosedure wat deur die oordragprokureurs gevolg moet word om te verseker dat die verkoper sy / haar verantwoordelikhede teenoor die Huiseienaarsvereniging nagekom het. In kort kom dit op die volgende neer: Hulle versoek `n Toestemming tot Registrasie vanaf die Bestuursagent. In samewerking met die Landgoedbestuurder word ondersoek ingestel of daar enige uitstaande boudefekte en / of bou-afwykings bestaan. Page 9
Vervolgens moet die Bestuursagent seker maak dat alle verskuldigde heffings betaal is tot aan die einde van die maand waarin registrasie plaasvind. Indien daar gelde uitstaande is, sal die Bestuursagent die oordrag-prokureurs versoek om `n onderneming aan die Bestuursagent te voorsien dat alle uitstaande geld op datum van registrasie vereffen sal word. Toestemming tot Registrasie sal dus teruggehou word totdat regstelling van defekte of afwykings tot bevrediging van die Trustees gedoen is, of totdat sekerheid verkry is dat verskuldigde heffings betaal sal word. Dit is dus in eienaars se belang om nou reeds seker te maak dat daar nie verhindering sal wees met die uitreik van `n Toestemming tot Registrasie nie, aangesien hierdie dokument saam met die registrasie-dokumente deur die oordrag-prokureurs by die aktekantoor ingedien word. Brand Zevenzicht Rylaan 69 Op Woensdag, 30 Januarie 2008, het `n brand omstreeks 08:15 in die huis van die Cillie s te Zevenzicht Rylaan 69 uitgebreek. `n Bouer het die brand by Mnr Steyn aangemeld wat dadelik die brandweer geskakel het. Die brandweer was ongeveer binne 10 minute op die toneel en het die brand vinnig en doeltreffend geblus. `n Kortsluiting was blykbaar die oorsaak van die brand. Brande in huise kom nie so dikwels voor nie, maar wanneer dit wel gebeur, word baie skade aangerig, onvervangbare items vernietig en is dit baie ontwrigtend vir die inwoners. Noodnommers in die geval van brand Vanaf Telkom - 107 Andersins 021 480-7700 Maintenance Residents are continuously busy with various activities like upgrading, paving or painting their properties by making use of contractors. Owners should take note that all such activities are subject to the stipulations of our Rules as set out in the document Regulations and Code of Conduct Governing Building Contractor Activity. Thus, before starting a project, the owner and the contractor should make an appointment with Mr Steyn to ensure that the contractor knows what is expected in terms of the Rules. Please note that building or other activities can be stopped should the Rules not be adhered to. Page 10