frequently asked questions
What does the Board of Chiswick Staithe Limited do?
The Board of Chiswick Staithe Limited (CSL) oversees the management of the estate, the managing agents employed on behalf of CSL, and sets and monitors the budget for the estate, as detailed in the Management Scheme. This document is available on the website. It explains the terms used, how the estate is maintained, and the responsibilities of freeholders and leaseholder on the estate.
Who can join the Board?
Any house owner in Chiswick Staithe can stand for election as a director or agree to be coopted by the Board. Board membership is voluntary. Directors are typically professionals with good IT and management skills who wish to make a positive contribution to the community where they live. Ideally you should have lived on the Staithe for at least a year so as to get a feel for the estate. There are 4-6 meetings a year, and an AGM. A list of current members is available on the residents' area of the website.
I never get emails from CSL, so how do I change this?
Please make sure the Managing Agent has an up-to-date email address for you as all communication from CSL is generally by email. You can give them email addresses for any adults in the household who wish to receive such communications. Don't forget to check your 'Junk' folder if you don’t receive anything. There is also an informal community WhatsApp group for residents but please do not use this to contact the Board.
What do I do if I want to make external changes to my house?
Consult the Design Guidelines. This makes clear what external alterations are allowed/ prohibited on Chiswick Staithe and those which require you to seek written permission in which case you will need to follow the External Alterations Application Procedure. Contact the Managing Agents in the first instance.
Do I need to apply for permission to make internal changes to my house?
Generally no. Only changes to the external appearance (for example, windows, doors, pipework, vents, changes to driveways, etc) need permission. Please note that basements are prohibited on the Staithe. Please see the Design Guidelines for further information.
Has CSL looked into installing solar panels on houses?
Yes, but unfortunately because of the roof pitch and angle of houses in relation to the sun, they are not currently viable. For the panels to be cost effective they need to cover as large an areae as possible, but on many of the Staithe houses the pitch of roof means that the lower part of the panel would be in shade for much of the day. There are also issues of being able to safely access the panels for maintenance through the loft space, and in some Staithe houses this would not be possible at all.
Has CSL looked into permitting heat pumps?
Yes – a 2023 working group looked at the possibility of heat pump installations for Chiswick Staithe houses and found that they were likely to be unsuitable. As well as serious concerns as to whether they would be cost-efficient, the group identified considerable challenges in locating them where they would not be unsightly and noisy.
Who is responsible for maintaining Chiswick Staithe common parts?
Any queries regarding maintenance of common parts should be directed to the Managing Agents. With regard to weekly upkeep of borders and green areas, CSL appoints a gardening contractor - currently Ginkgo.
Please note the river wall is not included in Ginkgo's contract. Woody shrubs and large weeds need clearing as required by the Environment Agency. During the Covid-19 lockdown, we were unable to get the usual contractors to weed the wall. It was therefore decided to refund the charges for this service and to take on the task ourselves. River home owners are responsible for ensuring they keep their parts of the wall clear. The section of the river wall which are common parts are currently being weeded by volunteers. If you are willing to assist with this, including helping some of the frailer riverside dwellers weed their sections, please email gardening@chiswickstaithe.com
Why isn't the grass greener/less weedy/smoother?
This is a contentious issue that is raised on a regular basis. Unfortunately the subsoil is poor and regular irrigation in hot summers is not viable. To replace the soil or install an effective irrigation system would require a major investment. In August 2020 a survey of residents indicated that, whilst a minority would be willing to spend money on improving the quality of the green sward, the majority did not want to do so. The report findings are available on the residents' section of the website. Ginkgo have therefore been instructed to maintain and improve the grass within the parameters of their contract and ongoing discussions with the Board.
Why doesn't Chiswick Staithe have railings at the front?
This has also been raised on several occasions. Because of the length of frontage, to support the railings extra pillars would be needed, or some form of metal bracing may be possible. In 2018 a survey showed that the majority of householders were unwilling to invest in railings. Some residents wanted to investigate this further, and it was suggested that they look into the options and inform the Board of their findings. Any such proposals of designs and costs will be considered by the Board and put out to a wider consultation if viable.
Why doesn't Chiswick Staithe have electric gates?
Installing electric gates has also been raised on numerous occasions and rejected. Apart from the considerable cost, coming up with a viable design is problematic for several reasons. When Hounslow Planning Department was informally approached about the issue, they expressed concern that cars would have to stop on Hartington Road to wait for the gates to open. Any gates could not open outwards as that would also obstruct the pavement and therefore would not be permitted. The Staithe entrances would therefore have to be set back by several metres so that the gates could open and shut entirely on Staithe land. However this would impede movement for vehicles along Inner Staithe (in front of nos. 27 – 41)
The alternative might be a single gate at each entrance which would have to 'slide' open beside the low wall parallel to Hartington Road, which would mean the loss of several metres of planting. It would also be impossible to have a separate pedestrian access gate, unless the wall was significantly changed. There would be no point having gates unless there was a secure barrier along the length of the current low wall, either with the installation of high spiked railings or a taller wall. Costs of maintenance of gates have also contributed to people's concerns.
How many cars am I allowed to keep on the Staithe?
With more multi-car households, parking on Staithe roads is under increasing pressure. It is essential that residents use their own driveways and garages where available. Only a single car belonging to residents may be parked on Staithe roads. Any additional cars should be parked on Hartington Road - parking permits can be obtained from Hounslow Council. Authorised visitors may park during the day time if spaces are available but please do not permit such parking outside the hours detailed on the signage.
At all times, please ensure you and your visitors park considerately so as not to obstruct access for others (including the bin/recycling lorries) or damage the pavements.
Can CSL install bike racks on the common parts?
This is considered unnecessary. All houses on Chiswick Staithe have garages which, whilst they no longer fit most modern cars, can accommodate bikes and motorbikes. Bike racks would mean a loss of green or parking space, which to date the majority of residents have not supported.
Why doesn't CSL install electric vehicle charging points?
Most houses can install their own charging points. Whilst that is difficult in some areas of the estate, the costs involved are too high to make it a worthwhile proposal at present for the minority who would benefit. As electric vehicles become more popular, public charging facilities are also increasing (in a similar way to petrol stations).
Do I need to get a garden waste bin from Hounslow?
No - the gardening contract with Ginkgo includes the collection of residents' garden waste. This is for garden waste from Chiswick Staithe gardens only. Please use a re-usable garden waste bag (any type/colour), and label it clearly with your house number to ensure you get it back. Do not use black bin bags for garden waste as they may not be collected.
When is green garden waste collected?
Currently, this is on Fridays. Please leave garden waste bags on the edge of your property by 7am. Bags put out later may not be collected. Residents are updated by email if/when this changes.
What days are recycling and normal bins collected by Hounslow Council?
These are both usually collected on a Wednesday, however following a Bank Holiday Monday the collection moves to Thursday. You can check to be sure on the Hounslow Council web site. Please do take your bins and boxes in promptly so they do not get blown about or cause an obstruction
Can I ask the gardeners to help with my own garden?
No, the gardeners will not do any work on private gardens, no matter how small the task may seem. This is to ensure fairness and also to ensure the team are able to complete the work they are contracted to do. There is a residential team at Ginkgo you can approach separately but you would need to contact the company directly.
Where can I get roof tiles?
CSL has a supply of roof tiles that can be purchased by residents. Please let the Board know what you need, and it may be possible to buy them direct from CSL. Costs are currently £12 a tile, with a small saving for multiples of 3 tiles @£30.
If one of the lamp-post lights isn't working, who should I inform?
Please inform the Managing Agent. All lamp posts are numbered (note: it is a small number and is quite high up!), so please let them know the post number. If it is one of the lights on the green, or in the tunnel, that is not working, please be a specific on its location as possible!
Who do I contact if I need to see footage from CCTV?
Please read the CCTV policy as only authorised people are allowed to view recordings for authorised purposes in order to comply with data protection rules. Contact the Managing Agent in first instance.
Where should tradesmen park on the Staithe?
Staithe parking is reserved for residents and their visitors, so if you are unable to provide a space yourself, tradesmen should ideally park vehicles and trailers on Hartington Road (permit required during restricted parking hours).
Who do I contact if I have a problem with my drains?
Anything internal is the responsibility of the householder. If the external drain between your house and the road is blocked, then again it's your responsibility. If you're not sure where the blockage is, then contact the Managing Agent for advice.
Who do I contact if the surface water drains are blocked?
The surface water drains are cleared regularly but in autumn and/or after very heavy rain they can sometimes block. Please inform the Managing Agent if are not draining after heavy rainfall.