Keep a list of contractors who do good work in your building and ask for them again.These contractors have done work for Camden Council and are on the Approved Contractors list.

Keep a list of Council Employees as well , who are reasonable, helpful, friendly and accessible and try to work with them whenever possible, to make your building better (give the other's three chances, and then ask for someone else). If you have serius concerns about maintenance or safety issues in your building, and the Complaints ombudsman isn't addressing your concerns - write a letter to the Mayor and the Camden New Journal about your concerns.

Recommended Council Employees:
Mark Wilusynski (District Housing Officer)
Anna O'Neil (personal assistant to Marek Wilusynski)
John Cooper (surveyor)
R. Webb (locksmith)
Dave Coleman (pest control)


PEST AND VERMIN (cockroaches, rats, mice, pigeons)

Not every building has cockroaches or rats or mice or pigeons, in fact very few buildings have  a continual problem with vermin in England.
Chenies Street Chambers has never had a continual problem with vermin because any problems are reported immediately, to everyone in the building and to the Camden Pest Control Department. The Camden Pest Control Department  is brilliant. They do private buildings as well, so if you have a problem with vermin, this page tells you what to do, what questions to ask, and how to sort the problem.

disabled & mobility issues
dog patrols
locksmiths

cleaning supplies

Highly Recommended. R. Webb
November 2002

R. Webb Contractors did an excellent job of adjusting our lock for the Main Door of our building, and also following up with adjustments and replacement keys, even though it was the week-end. (R. Webb are also experienced at installing entryphone systems.)  If you have a Lease-holders Committee, have them request specific reliable contractors (such as R. Webb) be used in your building.

R. Webb Securities
7 Mead Crescent
Chingford
London E4 6NX
tel 020 8524 2913
fax 020 8 524 5591
Mobile 07710 630930

Disabled Ramps, etc.

Highly Recommended. Care & Mobility
November 2002

wheelchair ramps, etc.
recommended firm: Care & Mobility
[mobility, access solutions, bathing, pressure care, beds and chairs)


ACCESS ISSUES FOR RESIDENTS' BUILDING
(and Tenants' and Residents' Halls and other spaces that are DDA Compliant)

OTHER TRA'S RECOMMENDATIONS:


Dog Patrol Security (drugs on estate issues)

Parkguard Security
February 2003

"Most people know ... how active I have been on the issue of drugs on our estate..... dog patrols were introduced to my estate and other parts of the borough. The company that we worked with was called Parkguard Security and what a difference this firm made! The handlers and their dogs proved to be committed to us, the people who live in Camden, more joined-up working.


We were able to talk to these handlers, give them information, they would file reports and after the last 16 months of working together they actually worked alongside the police. They even helped when I took a petition to be handed in at the Home Office late last year.
Camden New Journal,  Letters to the Editor, 27.02.2003, page 12

Parkguard has worked well with tenants when given the opportunity. They should be encouraged and congratulated ....
Camden New Journal,  Letters to the Editor, 27.02.2003, page 12

how to clean and seal a dirty floor (linoleum, vinyl, marble, NOT carpet, wood, cork)

We have found that a 99p non-scrath scrubber or cloth (nothing that will scratch the floor) and some FLASH cleans the floor, if you're prepared to get down and scrub (be sure to also clean in corners and doorways). Once the floor is clean, the key is to seal the clean surface, which will make maintaining the floor very easy (and give it a non-slip shine as well). Once you have sealed the floor, you can simply mop or sweep the floor, or rub it with a damp cloth, to remove dust and superficial marks and mud.  

We have found for our communal corridors that  so far,  we only have to clean and seal the floor once a year (probably less often for corridors which have less heavy use). The sealant we use is  a professional product, recommended and used by caretakers taking care of the floors in Imperial College, London.

Johnson Wax LTD
CAREFREE
UNDERCOAT
A water-based semi-permanent seal for most porous floors for improved durability and greater gloss. Use on vinyl, linoleum, rubber, marble, terrazzo, etc. Not suitable for wood or cork floors.

as of April 16th 2003:
5 litres    £ 35.53 (includes VAT)
Benzl Cleaning
Unit 9
Ellerslie Square Industrial Estate
8 Lyham Road,
Clapham,
London SW2
closest tube: Clapham North
020-7-733-9771

2 x 5 litres     £52 (includes VAT)
Thames Mead Business
Reliance Mill
29 Pomeroy Street
London WE14
free delivery
0207-639-0348

Call  the Johnson Wax free service line for your nearest stockist
0-800-525-525

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUILDING A COMMUNITY creating an effective Residents' Association