Welgevonden Estate: Estate Manager’s newsletter: March 2024

Dear Welgevonden Estate Homeowners and Residents

Thank you, once again, to all homeowners for the sterling effort that everyone has put in to maintain the outside appearance of your homes and gardens. This, without a doubt, makes a notable improvement in the overall appearance of Welgevonden Estate. This was echoed in a comment from an overseas homeowner who recently returned to Welgevonden Estate after an absence of more than six months: “We were surprised at the improvement in the appearance of houses on the estate upon our return. Welgevonden Estate certainly is looking good!”

Planting of trees and large shrubs

Please enquire at the estate office about the location of pipes, cables, and other infrastructure below the ground before digging planting holes for large trees or shrubs. This applies especially to locations near to streets and public open areas where such infrastructure is likely to be present. Making sure beforehand may prevent unnecessary damage later.

Please also do not plant trees and shrubs close to the estate’s perimeter fence, as these may interfere with the functionality of the estate’s electric fence and perimeter security cameras. Furthermore, we request homeowners with properties alongside the perimeter fence where there are shrubs and trees near to the fence, to ensure that these are always trimmed at least 1,5 m away from the fence.

Maintenance of public open spaces

Estate management has an ongoing programme to ensure the upkeep of Welgevonden Estate’s public open spaces. This includes, amongst others, maintenance of paved areas, parking bays, road markings, and many more.

We will soon be starting with a project to upgrade certain paved areas and to prepare new areas, especially to create additional visitor parking bays. If there are any unpaved parking bays you wish to bring to our attention, please send an e-mail to admin@welgevonden.co.za.

Trampolines

Please take note of rule 14.5 of the WHOA Estate Rules which states that no structure or item that in the discretion of Excom is unsightly, aesthetically displeasing or undesirable or detrimental to the general appearance of the Estate when viewed from a communal facility or another erf may be exposed, installed, placed or erected on an erf.

This rule also applies to trampolines which may not be positioned outside of an erf, or in a position that it is visible from a communal facility such as the street, or another erf. Also, make sure that you prevent unauthorised access to trampolines on your property, as you may be held liable in case of an accident or injury if this wasn’t done.

Limited visitor parking space

For those who are new to Welgevonden Estate, please take note that the estate has limited parking space for visitors. For this reason it was necessary to formulate and implement parking control measures that apply to the whole estate – please click here for more information.

In essence, residents may only park on their own erven, and not on visitor parking areas, on pavements, or any other area on the estate, unless they have a special permit to do so. This also applies to trailers and boats on trailers that may not be parked on pavements or elsewhere. These must be parked on the owner’s erf.

Preparing the home for the rain season

As we are already in autumn, and with winter is on its way, it is time to get your home ready for the wet and the rainy season! Here follow some practical hints and tips that might help you to do so.

Channelling of stormwater

The general rule in our law is that lower-lying properties are obliged to accept stormwater from higher-lying properties. It is important to note that the owners of higher-lying properties must always ensure that the stormwater from their properties is channelled via the correct stormwater systems.

Downpipes that channel rainwater from the roof of the house should be directed towards the street so that this water is fed into the municipal stormwater drainage system via inlets in the kerbs. Under no circumstances should rainwater be channelled into the municipal sewer system which, in fact, is separate from the stormwater system. Channelling rainwater into the sewer system is against municipal regulations. Doing so may lead to knock-on effects, amongst others, overflowing of sewer pipes which could result in sewage spills along the line or at sewage pump stations, flooding of wastewater treatment works which reduces their treatment capacity and – ultimately – increased risk to human, animal and ecological health.

Once the rain season has started, please be on the lookout for blocked stormwater inlets along the streets which might lead to flooding in the area. Please report such instances to estate management so that we can arrange for the blockages to be cleared.

Home maintenance tips

Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Here is a list (not comprehensive at all) of cost-saving DIY maintenance tips to help you protect your property against the elements during the harsh winter months.

 1. Check the roof

Start at the top and check for places where leaks could occur. This could be bent or damaged corrugated iron sheets, loose or missing roofing screws or roofing screw washers, even roofing screws inserted incorrectly in the trough and not on the crest of a corrugated iron sheet. Also be on the lookout for signs of blistering or bubbles on roofing sheets which could be an indication of rust that is forming. Furthermore, check waterproofing membranes and materials for possible cracks or areas where it might start to lift. For the houses on the estate with roof tiles, inspect for damaged, loose or missing tiles.

2. Clear the gutters

Clear out gutters, drainpipes and outdoor drains from sand, leaves, roots or plants that might be blocking them. Cut back branches from trees that could cause damage to the roof or gutters during heavy rains or storms.

3. Clean the chimney

Before lighting a fire in the fireplace, make sure that the chimney is clean from soot that might have accumulated over time and, especially, from birds’ nests that could have been built inside the chimney. A crackling fire is cosy, but only if the fireplace is not belching out smoke into the house.

4. Seal the gaps

A well-insulated home keeps draughts out, heat in, and energy costs down (something which is close to every South African’s heart). Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, apply new putty where needed, and use suitable sealing strips to ensure that windows and doors seal properly in their frames.

Best regards

Gawie Marx

Estate Manager

14 March 2024