New Crane Wharf Freehold Limited (NCWFL) – The original developer of New Crane Wharf was Heron Homes Limited.  In 1995, sixty-seven of the lessees formed New Crane Wharf Freehold Ltd (NCWFL), to purchase the freehold from Heron Homes. Since then, further lessees have become shareholders.

NCWFL has the legal responsibility of maintaining the structure of the buildings and providing the services as detailed in the leases.

All shareholders of NCWFL are people who have leases on flats within New Crane Wharf. Any leaseholder can become a shareholder, and thereby own a stake in the freehold of the building. Shareholders may extend their leases to 999 years and receive a reduction in their ground rents. The Directors of NCWFL are all shareholders who own flats in New Crane Wharf. The Directors meet regularly to consider the business of running this large and complex development, and the provision of services detailed in your lease. The Directors are not paid. The current Directors (January 2025) are Susan Gostick, Ray’n Terry, Alexander Halford, Vassu Joseph, Bill Quarterman and Liz Tanner. Company Secretary services are provided by KFH.

The Registered address of New Crane Wharf Freehold Ltd is KFH House, 5 Compton Road, London SW19 7PQ.

The Annual General Meeting of NCWFL is normally held in January or February annually. At the meeting the Shareholders vote on approving the accounts of the company and to elect or re-elect directors. Following the AGM, there is usually an open Residents’ Meeting for all lessees and residents - shareholders or not - at which they can discuss current issues with KFH and the directors.

CAR PARK & BICYCLES
Each flat has an allocated space in the underground car park, accessed from Wapping Wall. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE GATES TO CLOSE BEHIND YOU on entering and exiting, and don't tailgate others through the gate. Damage or theft from the car park rarely happens but, when it does, it is nearly always as a result of someone not waiting for the gates to close and thereby allowing someone to follow them in. Bays are solely for parking vehicles. Residents are not permitted to use parking bays for the storage of any personal items, especially petrol, oil, paint and other flammable goods. The storage of such items is extremely dangerous and in the event of a fire, if it were discovered that such items were the cause, the buildings insurance may be jeopardised. The Car Park has two fast charging bays for electric vehicles on the lower level. Please only use these bays while your car is changing and return your car to your own parking space as soon as possible to free the charging bay for other users.

Bike racks are provided in various locations around the garage and residents must use these racks for the storage of all bicycles. We encourage residents to purchase a secure lock or locks to ensure the safekeeping of their bicycle. The Freehold Company will not be liable for the loss of any bicycle from these racks. Bicycles mustn’t be stored in any of the common areas outside of the racks provided. Should staff find anyone in breach of this, they will be asked to move their bicycle to one of the racks provided. Bikes that appear to have been abandoned will be tagged and, after a reasonable period, removed and disposed of.including courtyard parking, waiting for doors to close & bike racks & leave at own risk

• Concierge & reception: [will need to write based on what we want to offer]

EXTERIORS & COMMON AREAS
This is a Grade II listed building in a Conservation Area. Residents mustn’t hang anything from any window or on any balcony - clothes, washing, plants, lights etc. - that are visible from the exterior of the building. It’s also not permitted to fix an aerial, satellite dish or burglar alarm etc. to the outside of the building.

The common areas of New Crane Wharf are cleaned each weekday, and the bins rooms are emptied daily during the week. The carpets in the corridors and staircases are regularly cleaned. Re-carpeting areas of the building, when necessary, forms part of the ongoing maintenance programme. Lifts and lobbies are given additional deep cleaning throughout the year. If you’re concerned about any aspect of the common areas please speak to the Concierge Team.

As with all buildings this age, mice do get into New Crane Wharf from time to time. All the common parts throughout the building are treated regularly and inspected for activity every 6 weeks. Our pest control contractors can be asked to investigate the presence of mice inside a flat, but the responsibility for ‘proofing’ the flat, ie. ensuring they have no way in, is the responsibility of leaseholder not the freeholder.

FIRE ACTION
The fire response for all flats is ‘stay put’. This means that a fire occurs you are safe to remain in your flat unless told otherwise.

IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE IN YOUR FLAT:

1. LEAVE YOUR FLAT IMMEDIATELY CLOSING DOOR BEHIND YOU

2. CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE BY DIALLING 999 or 112

3. IF IT'S SAFE AND POSSIBLE TO DO SO, INFORM THE BUILDING MANAGER

4. MEET THE FIRE CREW AS THEY ARRIVE AND GIVE DETAILS OF THE FIRE LOCATION

IF YOU SEE OR HEAR OF A FIRE ELSEWHERE IN NEW CRANE WHARF:

1. STAY IN YOUR OWN FLAT

2. CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE BY DIALLING 999 or 112

3. INFORM THE BUILDING MANAGER

4. LEAVE YOUR FLAT AT ONCE IF SMOKE OR HEAT AFFECTS YOU, TAKING ALL FLAT OCCUPANTS WITH YOU

ADDRESS: NEW CRANE WHARF, GARNET STREET, WAPPING, LONDON E1W

IF YOU ARE IN A COMMUNAL AREA THEN LEAVE THE BUILDING AT ONCE BY THE NEAREST EXIT.

DO NOT WAIT TO COLLECT PERSONAL BELONGINGS

DO NOT TAKE RISKS

DO NOT USE THE LIFTS

DO NOT RUN

Staff and contractors not in a flat, must evacuate the building upon discovering a fire. The ‘stay put’ policy does not apply to them, only residents.

Due to the design and construction of the building, it is very unlikely that a fire starting in one flat will spread to another. Only attempt to fight the fire if it is safe to do so and you have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

You must ensure that you have an appropriate number of working fire detectors in your home. These are part of the New Crane Wharf Alarm system. All original flat front doors in NCW are fire resistant and were fitted with a self-closing device. It is your responsibility to ensure they remain compliant, in good working order and are not damaged. This advice is reviewed regularly by an independent fire risk assessor, who inspects NCW and reviews our arrangements and equipment.

MOVING IN AND OUT
To avoid disturbance and inconvenience to other residents, there are restrictions on when vehicles can enter the Courtyard; no cars, vans or other vehicles can bebrought onto the Courtyard between 6pm and 8am Monday-Friday, before 9am or after 1pm on Saturdays, and never on Sundays & Bank Holidays.

Lifts must not be overloaded, as this can be a considerable cost to the Service Charge. Please don’t prop doors open and leave them unattended. Please use the Lift curtains, available from reception, to protect the interior of the lifts and take care not to damage the common areas of the building during a move.

Please let the Concierge team know at the earliest opportunity of a planned move, so they can help ensure your move goes smoothly without inconveniencing other residents.

NOISE
It’s unacceptable to cause a noise nuisance at New Crane Wharf, and everyone’s lease makes this very clear. We are all expected to consider our neighbours and avoid making a nuisance through unnecessary noise.

Your lease forbids making any noise which disturbs your neighbours - playing a musical instrument, TV or stereo - between the hours of 11pm. and 8am. Please consider your neighbours and keep noise to a minimum during these hours.

If you have a case of noise nuisance, contact the Concierge Team in the first instance. They’ll investigate and contact the offending resident with a request to reduce the noise.

Building work can only be undertaken 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays and never on Sundays.

PARCELS & DELIVERIES
The Concierges take in packages and signed-for post, which you can collect from New Crane Wharf Reception. They can also accompany tradespeople to your flat by arrangement, if they have a spare key and know your alarm code.

PETS
Pets are only permitted at the discretion of the Freehold Company and you need to contact the Managing Agent to get a licence. If a Pet Licence is granted it can be revoked at any time if Freehold Company receives and substantiates any noise or nuisance complaints against your pet(s).

RUBBISH & RECYCLING
Must only be put in tied refuse bags and placed in bin rooms. Please tie bags securely to avoid leaks and odours. Black bags are available free from New Crane Wharf Reception as part of the NCW service charge. Dry mixed recyclables can be put in Council recycling bags or any clear sack. Tower Hamlets recycling bags are available from Idea Stores & Libraries. Larger items of rubbish, such as furniture, electrical items etc must not be left in these rooms, as Tower Hamlets will not come and remove them and we can’t put them in New Crane Wharf’s bins. If you or your tenants are moving out, please ensure all unwanted furniture and household items are taken to the local authority tip or proper arrangements are made to have them removed. If New Crane Wharf does have to remove such items, we will recover the cost from the lessee. Take them to the Tower Hamlets Recycling Centre, which is open every day except Christmas Day. Alternatively, each household is entitled to two free bulky or large waste collections per year – with up to five items taken away per collection. You can arrange collection by calling +44(0)20 7364 5004.

SECURITY
New Crane Wharf is regarded as one of the most secure and safe developments in London. The estate is covered by high-quality CCTV, which is monitored and recorded 24/7 to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Residents are reminded to be vigilant and ensure they aren’t followed through gates into the courtyard, doors into your part of the building, and most especially the doors into the car park. Please don't hesitate to challenge anyone doing so or, if you’d rather, report it immediately to Reception.

Access to each block, and to the courtyard out of hours, is by fob. Replacements and spares can be supplied by the Concierge team. The fobs also allow entrance and exit from the carpark. If you lose your fob, please inform the Concierge team as soon as possible so it can be cancelled. The pedestrian gate into the Courtyard is locked from 6pm-6am. The Concierge team can securely hold spare keys for flats and it’s recommended that you leave one at New Crane Wharf Reception so that access can be gained either when you request it or in an emergency.

• Utilities: including broadband, electric, gas and water meters

BUILDING INSURANCE
The Service Charge covers the general building insurance elements. However, as residents, you are responsible for everything within your own flat (including the doors and windows). This includes the plumbing to your flat. Leaks and other overflows can have a devastating effect on those living below you.

BUYING, SELLING & RENTING
If you're buying, selling or renting in NCW, you or your solicitor will need to provide the Property Manager with suitable references, before the sale or subletting can take place. References with no clear indication of the identity of the referee, or without the means to check the authenticity of the reference or to request further details, are not acceptable. References must be genuine and accurate.

Selling your flat – Three references must be supplied in respect of each of the purchasers:

• An employer reference confirming the purchaser’s employment status, their position and salary (if Self Employed, a letter or statement from their accountant confirming their earnings for the past 3 years, or equivalent); and

• A personal character reference.

A Deed of Covenant, prepared by New Crane Wharf Freehold Ltd’s nominated solicitors, must be entered into by the incoming Lessee before completion can take place.

For an existing lessee of NCWFL, buying another flat in New Crane Wharf or moving in New Crane Wharf

• A bank reference: if the lessee is moving within NCW, it needs to confirm that the purchaser can afford the new specified amount of Service Charge payable. If the lessee is buying an additional flat, it needs to confirm that they can afford the total Service Charge payable on all their NCW flats.

• A Deed of Covenant, prepared by New Crane Wharf Freehold Ltd’s nominated solicitors, must be entered into by the incoming Lessee before completion can take place.

Subletting – Any unauthorised temporary lets, including AirBNB etc, are not allowed under the terms of the leases at New Crane Wharf. If a Lessee (flat owner) wishes to (sub)let their property, the Lessee MUST inform the Property Manager that they intend to let their property. The Tenancy Agreement must include reference to the terms of the lease and the Lessee must ensure that the tenants are provided with a copy of the relevant covenants and conditions in the lease before the tenancy commences. The following references should be provided to the Property Manager for each of the prospective tenants:

• Identity confirmation (eg. Passport)

• An employer’s reference

• A personal character reference

For each reference, the person giving the reference should be clearly identified and their contact details should be included for verification purposes. Alternatively, a reference FOR EACH TENANT from a reputable lettings reference agency that includes:

• Identity confirmation (eg. Passport)

• An employer’s reference

• A personal character reference

will be acceptable, providing the referees are clearly identified and contact details are provided for verification purposes. These references should be sent to The Property Manager before the sublet can be approved. The Property Manager will send these references to the directors of NCWFL for their approval. If the prospective tenant is a company, the following must be provided:

• Details of who will occupy the premises

• Details of the company, including the company registration number

• The latest set of company accounts

Once the references have been accepted, KFH will produce a Licence to Sublet. KFH’s fee for providing this service is £75.00 plus VAT. KFH will provide an invoice for the fee which must be paid before the license is issued. Staff will also inform the Senior Building Manager of any new tenants moving into the development. He will then inform KFH on a weekly basis of any new residents. Note that if a Lessee has not followed the above procedures they will be in contravention of the Lease covenants and NCWFL will be informed accordingly.

• Keeping in good condition

MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR FLAT
New Crane Wharf is rightly recognised as one of the finest examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in this part of London. For that reason, parts of New Crane Wharf are Grade II Listed and in a Conservation Zone, and there are very strict limits on what can be done to alter the appearance and fabric of the building. And of course, all flats and commercial units are held through Leases from the Freehold Owner - in this case New Crane Wharf Freehold Limited (NCWFL).

If you're thinking of making structural or any other changes to your apartment or commercial unit, you must get permission from NCWFL, or confirmation from NCWFL that consent is not required. This applies even if you don't think the changes will be visible from outside your apartment or unit. Once you've done this, you will probably need Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.  

If you don't get outline permission from NCWFL and/or relevant Local Authority permissions, you may be required to undo the changes. Changes to a Listed Building without permission can require you or your future purchasers to undo the changes at any time in the future.

It's worth speaking to the Property Manager at the earliest stages of your planning, and before seeking Local Authority Permission, as they will be able to advise on the process of seeking NCWFL's permission. If NCWFL does not object in principle, then you still need the relevant Local Authority permissions.

Please be aware that getting Local Authority Planning Permission does not mean the Freehold Company is obliged to give consent.

NCWFL owns the building and has to consider the effect of any changes on all the other lessees and residents, as well as the effect on its long term interests. Therefore it is always best to discuss your plans with NCWFL before going to the trouble and expense of seeking Planning Permission. 

SERVICE CHARGES
The services at New Crane Wharf are paid for by a Service Charge. This is due twice-yearly in June and December and, for the protection of all residents and leaseholders, any non-payment is vigorously pursued. If you think you will have problems paying on time, please speak to the Property Manager before the payment is due to avoid legal proceedings.

• Utilities: including broadband, electric, gas and water meters [added to both locations as not sure if rented out who pays?]

Concierge: +44(0)20 7488 3463

buildingmanagement@newcranewharf.org

Property manager: +44(0)20 3542 0180 

lauren.brookes@kfh.co.uk