Frequently Asked Questions.

Animals:

General

You have to obtain permission to keep a pet. You can download the form HERE. The keeping of pets in an environment like Barcelona is a sensitive issue. To minimise the number of rules and regulations, please make every effort to prevent your pet from being a problem in terms of noise, mess, or damage to other people’s property. Consideration of others is the key…

Dogs

A maximum of 2 small dogs are allowed per unit. No medium or large dogs are permissible. Residents are responsible for damages incurred by their dogs. No dogs are allowed on the communal property between units, unless they are on a leash. Residents must remove any mess their dogs make on the communal and their own lawn. The resident Gardener may not be tasked to clean the lawn before cutting it.

Cats

Should you already own a cat, please take whatever measures you can to prevent your cat from being a nuisance to others. Male cats must be neutered. Residents are responsible for damages incurred by their cats. Because of the problem with stray cats, all current cat owners are requested to put an identifying collar on their cats, detailing your unit number and telephone numbers, as all unmarked cats will be removed by the SPCA.

Vehicles:

Parked cars must at no time obscure the driveways. If there is insufficient parking available in front of residents’ garages then cars must only be parked in the demarcated areas.

Residents are also responsible for the cars of their visitors. Please note that provision has been made for visitor’s parking in the complex (in front of the servant’s toilets on the south west side of the complex). Please ask your visitors to use this parking area.

Residents are requested to drive slowly as there are children in the complex. Nobody can afford to have an accident on their conscience.

Gardens:

The complex employs a full-time gardener, Johannes Mahlafunya.
He is responsible for maintaining the communal gardens and for cutting the lawns and edges in each unit’s garden. The garden beds in the gardens of the units are not his responsibility but the responsibility of the resident.

Residents are requested not to lock their garden gates during the week so that the gardener can mow the lawn. The resident Gardener may not be asked to clear the lawn of dog’s messes before cutting it.

The gardener may not be requested to do extra work for individuals unless a private arrangement is made with him to work for extra pay during his free time.

Any requests or instructions regarding the gardens should be directed through the trustee responsible for the gardener and property. The gardener receives his instructions from this trustee and cannot be expected to receive instructions from other individuals as well.

The control of plants (like creepers) that may damage units or climb onto the roof and lift tiles is the responsibility of the resident.

Plumbing

The pressure reducing valve and all plumbing on the houseward side of the valve are the responsibility of the owner. Many of the valves are beginning to leak and owners are requested to ensure that they are repaired since a continual water leak will affect the communal water bill. The trustees will from time to time inspect valves and arrange for repairs at the owner’s cost.

All the original geysers in the complex are more than 10 years old. You will not be able to claim for original geysers that have failed. If your geyser fails, contact the managing agents for guidelines on the replacement of the geyser.

Refuse Removal:

Each unit is provided with a black refuse bin.

The Barcelona gardener ensures that the bins are taken up to the street on a weekly basis for emptying by the Municipal Refuse Removal Service.

The Municipal Refuse Service will reject bins that are excessively heavy or that contain stones, rocks or large branches. Please make your own arrangements for the disposal of such items.

Please remember that the full bins have to be pulled uphill! The gardener has been instructed to leave bins that are excessively heavy.

The gardener is NOT responsible for cleaning your bin.

Outer Appearance:

Owners are responsible for ensuring that the paintwork on garden gates, security gates, window frames and door frames and the varnish on doors is maintained, as it affects the overall appearance of the complex.

Should an owner use an estate agent to sell his/her unit, the agent must be told not to display the advertising board on the security gate or in the garden beds. Should the unit be on show, the unit number must be displayed on the show board.

Should you wish to have any external alterations done to your unit, or should you wish to erect a carport or make any other changes to the external appearance of your unit, written permission must first be obtained from the board of trustees and the plans must be approved by the town council. Please put your request in writing, with a rough sketch of the changes envisaged.

Please ensure that litter is not left lying around in the complex.

The Gate and Intercom:

The Motorised Gate is opened from the outside by means of a remote which can be obtained from the designated trustees for a R150.00 each. The pedestrian gate is opened with a chipped disk which can be bought for R50.

In the event of a power failure, the gates have a limited battery backup.

To use the intercom at the gate, visitors will need to enter your unit number. This will place a call through to the Telkom or Cell number connected to your unit number and once the people at the gate have identified themselves press 9 on your phone’s keypad to give them access. Please do not allow access to strangers who dial your number.

To change the number which is dialled from the gate, please contact the the chairman who is responsible.

Residents may under no circumstances interfere or allow other parties to interfere with the automatic closing system on the main or pedestrian gates.

The automatic system on the main gate could be dangerous if interfered with by residents and particularly by small children. Please educate and take responsibility for children under your supervision.

Please do not compromise our security by allowing unidentified or unknown persons into the complex.

AGM:

The Barcelona financial year end is 30 April and statements and minutes are circulated annually to owners before the Annual General Meeting which happens in August-September. Please consult these documents if you have specific queries.

Domestic workers

All domestic workers must either be in possession of a disc for the pedestrian gate or be allowed in by the resident. Discs can be obtained for R50.00 each from the responsible trustee.

Noise

Residents are requested to be reasonable and considerate at all times. If you are bothered by noise from a neighbouring unit, please start by going to your neighbour with a polite and reasonable request. If this fails, then take the matter up with the trustees.

Trustees:

Each year a new board of trustees is elected. The minutes of the AGM are circulated and the details of the Trustees are contained therein.

Garages

Garages are intended and equipped to serve as storage space for a) cars and b)odds and ends. Garages are not to be used for accommodation for people.

Security

Please be observant and take reasonable precautions. If you enter or leave the complex late at night or in the early hours, please wait until the motorised gate has closed before you drive off.