neighbourhood committee looking for donations....

Yamanoto · 07-07-2014 02:00PM

No doubt all residents want to live in a pleasant and well cared for environment, but it's natural too that renters in particular may be less inclined to buy into community initiatives & suchlike. I'd pass the request on to your landlord OP, but make it known to the person collecting that you'd be happy to get stuck in if there's a clean up planned over the coming months.

Morag · 07-07-2014 02:02PM

bluewolf wrote: »

If the council clean it then I'd be asking for some specifics what they plan to do with all this money.
If you can't afford it and have just moved in then say so and yeah it probably is up to the landlord too

the county councils have cut back hugely the amount work work they are doing in estates.

A2LUE42 · 07-07-2014 02:04PM

I Heart Internet wrote: »

But it might mean that your son gets to play in a nice clean estate for 52 weeks a year.

Much better to leave it in a state and not bother getting the grass cut or the weeks killed. Or just let everyone else pay your share too.

In reality, your landlord should be footing this bill. It is more in their interest that this is paid than yours. If the area gets very messy looking, it would impact their ability to keep the rent at the level it is at and not go down.

I am on a committee that tries to organise something similar, as the Council have no involvement and even after the 'taking in charge' process will never maintain the public grass areas. It will eventually lead to a mandatory clause in new developments where a management company has to be in place, if people continue to ignore their civic responsibilities.

In our area we have been able to reduce the suggested donation/charge for the year to €20 this year, as we hoped that more people would pay a smaller amount, it was €40 last year. But it hasn't really encouraged anyone new to pay. Some people just expect others to do their share and pay for it. It is a thankless task trying to organise something like this and the only alternative is to just let it all go to pot.

Let the grass and weeds grow and allow people to dump rubbish in the long grass and have the place be full of vermin. Some people will just whine and complain no matter what is done. The alternative would be that they actually do something about it themselves.. well they couldn't do that.. they have bills to pay.. children to mind.. jobs to do .. 101 other reasons that they use to justify their decision.

The fact that the people going door to door to collect money, meet contractors, organise the events, lodge the money into the bank, produce yearly accounts, hold open residents meetings where everyone is invited all have similar time and fiscal constraints seems lost on a lot of people.

Just to clarify, the money we collect is for the contractor hired to do the grass cutting and weed spraying. Other activities like organised clean up days, tree planting and the like are normally paid for by getting grants or being part of things like national tree week, the one million trees project, national clean up and similar efforts. The people giving their time and effort is priceless and they also pay whatever the yearly contribution, as they want to live in a well maintained area and do so for their own good and that of their neighbors.

Recondite49 · 07-07-2014 02:05PM

ianobrien wrote: »

OP, if you're renting it's the landlord that should be paying. I've paid it in the past as a landlord (or specifically as his gardener and the neighbour/committee member spotted me and approached)

The next time he calls give him the landlords contact details. Also, ask the landlord if you pay it can you deduct it from the rent.

(That being said I'm not paying it in my own place until I get an apology from the "collector" after the abuse he threw at a family member a few years ago. I have said that to the people who have subsequently called, and the neighbours also)

I think Ian is right OP, this should be paid by the landlord. They own the property and therefore have a vested interest in the community.

I went down this road before with my own Landlady and even when the property management company specifically said that they couldn't chase me over it, she still expected me to pay. I moved out in the end, too much hassle.

eviltwin · 07-07-2014 02:06PM

I wouldn't just hand over money to someone claiming to be from a community group, I wouldn't mind paying it but surely the landlord would have told you it exists?

anewme · 07-07-2014 02:14PM

I am commenting from the other side. our Estate is not taken in charge and has a lot of grass, grass verges, etc. The total cost of the landscaping contract equates out to about 9k a year, and that divides up to approx. 100 per house. Residents can pay whatever way they like but the money needs to be there by april as someone needs to sign the contract for the work.

I helped the Residents Association do a door knock and it really opened my eyes. The abuse some people think it's ok to dish out! the guys were out collecting on a Friday evening, in the freezing cold of January having come home from their full time jobs and were given dogs abuse from some people who treated them like Counsellors and Councillors !!! Nicest one though was a lovely little old lady who chased out after them with a box of sweets and a lovely hand written card to say thank you for the efforts in keeping the estate clean.

Residents get their issues with builder, council, neighbourhood watch etc dealt with for a subscription of 100 per year.

As always, there are some that pay and some that don't. I pay, I was thinking of not paying, given that some who said they cant afford it have gotten work done on their houses and been on foreign holidays. Then are some houses (both lost jobs) who just see it as part of their bills and are putting aside 2 per week because they are proud people and believe in paying their way. The RA told them to pay whenever they have it and not to worry (but these people will not have it and insist in paying their way) I guess its down to a persons own pride in themselves and pride in their home.

I pay because I appreciate the work done on my behalf by these people and I pay because I live in a nice well kept area and that is why I bought my house there.

It's kind of like buying a car, don't buy a Mercedez if you can only afford to service a Micra.

I do think your landlord should be paying though unless it is part of your contract. also think he was a bit quick off the mark.

But in fairness, I don't believe anyone cant afford 25 A year! Which is 47p a week.

Pumpkinseeds · 07-07-2014 02:20PM

It's very poor form to turn up at a strangers door a day or so after they move in asking for money. Tbh, if it were me I wouldn't have given him a cent. The OP has no idea who the guy is. As another poster said, tell the guy to come back in a month when you've a better idea if you'll be staying or not.

Little CuChulainn · 07-07-2014 02:24PM

RoyalMarine wrote: »

There's a large green area directly across the road from the house. The county council clean it as from what I've found out, the group that built the estate jumped ship a few years ago and abandoned their contractual duties to maintain the estate for what ever time they have to.

I don't deny that it's cheap, however I earn a low wage, my gf earns a low wage, my outgoings are high due to college, I have a 10 year old son and I have bills.

I would be lucky to have €25 euro in my wallet at the end of a week. I would rather save it or bring my son somewhere on the weekend than hand it over to a community who seem very rude in asking for money.

I doubt the council are doing much, if anything. Just because the developer jumped ship does not automatically mean the council have taken over the estate. The fees are likely for landscaping and grass cutting from a private company hired by the residents association.

awec · 07-07-2014 02:24PM

Definitely the landlord's responsibility.

anncoates · 07-07-2014 02:27PM

It's probably just them collecting voluntarily to put down flower beds or some other landscaping improvements. Just say no if you don't want to give it

They probably thought you owned the house. They're usually busybody types but if the place looks nicer I guess leave them to it

As ever you have to marvel at trivial things that annoy people so much. Is it not exhausting to care so much about these things

Recondite49 · 07-07-2014 02:38PM

Going back ten years, the local Tenancy Association actually sent me a letter to ask why my apartment wasn't represented at their last meeting.

I sent an e-mail saying it would probably be best to speak to the Landlord. They told me I was welcome to come. It was being held at a local hotel and I was free that particular evening (can never figure what to do on Thursdays), so off I toddled.

Upon arrival, one of the first orders of business was to read out a long list of people who hadn't paid their protection money and surprise surprise the name of my apartment was there. I repeated what I said previously in that I thought this should be paid by my Landlord - they said that was between me and him and in essence I should fork up and try and get it back off him later but "The Association" required payment or else there'd be a fine for late settlement.

With my usual diplomatic aplomb, I stood up slowly and took two Apples from the fruit bowl on the table, popped a complimentary mint in my mouth and went home. Never heard from them again.

thomas anderson. · 07-07-2014 02:38PM

Isnt this what the property tax was for though?

Specialun · 07-07-2014 02:47PM

Im currently having the same issue with my estate. Around 15 houses and they want 50E every 3 months to cut a lawn that not even 40ft wide and 15 feet long

its like the mafia. I wouldnt mind but their kids use it as their own back yard,leaving all their toys there.

awec · 07-07-2014 02:50PM

Specialun wrote: »

Im currently having the same issue with my estate. Around 15 houses and they want 50E every 3 months to cut a lawn that not even 40ft wide and 15 feet long

its like the mafia. I wouldnt mind but their kids use it as their own back yard,leaving all their toys there.

Seems very expensive. Definitely only for grass cutting?

I'd happily come round and trim that lawn for 750 quid every few months. I'll knock 250 euro off the price actually - do you a good deal.

K-9 · 07-07-2014 02:52PM

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Isnt this what the property tax was for though?

Upkeep of private estates? Don't think so.

PizzamanIRL · 07-07-2014 02:54PM

So this is a common practice is it? They must collect thousands in big estates. If you want your area so tidy and clean, do it without begging for money. Why is it always about money?

awec · 07-07-2014 02:57PM

PizzamanIRL wrote: »

So this is a common practice is it? They must collect thousands in big estates. If you want your area so tidy and clean, do it without begging for money. Why is it always about money?

Gardeners generally don't work for free.

PizzamanIRL · 07-07-2014 02:58PM

awec wrote: »

Gardeners generally don't work for free.

Is it not the locals doing it themselves?

awec · 07-07-2014 02:59PM

PizzamanIRL wrote: »

Is it not the locals doing it themselves?

Most likely hiring someone in to do the communal areas (i.e. the bits that don't belong to any specific house / aren't anyone's garden).

A resident could do it though I don't see why they would be expected to do it for free. Maybe they could organise a rota for doing it but I imagine it's easiest just to collect money and pay for it to be done.

Recondite49 · 07-07-2014 03:00PM

anewme wrote: »

I am commenting from the other side. our Estate is not taken in charge and has a lot of grass, grass verges, etc. The total cost of the landscaping contract equates out to about 9k a year, and that divides up to approx. 100 per house. Residents can pay whatever way they like but the money needs to be there by april as someone needs to sign the contract for the work.

I helped the Residents Association do a door knock and it really opened my eyes. The abuse some people think it's ok to dish out! the guys were out collecting on a Friday evening, in the freezing cold of January having come home from their full time jobs and were given dogs abuse from some people who treated them like Counsellors and Councillors !!! Nicest one though was a lovely little old lady who chased out after them with a box of sweets and a lovely hand written card to say thank you for the efforts in keeping the estate clean.

Residents get their issues with builder, council, neighbourhood watch etc dealt with for a subscription of 100 per year.

As always, there are some that pay and some that don't. I pay, I was thinking of not paying, given that some who said they cant afford it have gotten work done on their houses and been on foreign holidays. Then are some houses (both lost jobs) who just see it as part of their bills and are putting aside 2 per week because they are proud people and believe in paying their way. The RA told them to pay whenever they have it and not to worry (but these people will not have it and insist in paying their way) I guess its down to a persons own pride in themselves and pride in their home.

I pay because I appreciate the work done on my behalf by these people and I pay because I live in a nice well kept area and that is why I bought my house there.

It's kind of like buying a car, don't buy a Mercedez if you can only afford to service a Micra.

I do think your landlord should be paying though unless it is part of your contract. also think he was a bit quick off the mark.

But in fairness, I don't believe anyone cant afford 25 A year! Which is 47p a week.

I still think these kind of expenses should be met by home owners - I lived in a good deal of houses for less than a year so wouldn't have been able to enjoy fully the amount I'd paid.

In addition to this I don't know about the rest of you but I've frequently been down to my last 47pence and lower - every month I do a budget plan and all the money is earmarked down to the last Euro.

I certainly wouldn't be horrible to anyone who came a-knocking, I'd just tell them to speak to the Landlord as I don't own the property.

anncoates · 07-07-2014 03:03PM

If its a managed estate the upkeep is paid for by service fees and if not a managed estate the council do it

It sounds like it's just residents asking for donations so they can pay somebody to come in a do extra stuff like shrubs or flowerbeds and whatnot.

Galwayguy35 · 07-07-2014 03:09PM

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Isnt this what the property tax was for though?

We were only told that!

It's money for the Government.

StephenHendry · 07-07-2014 03:10PM

i would tell them to contact the landlord OP, if there is a residents assoc, maybe you could look them up on line if they have a website, some Residents associations have websites if not get more details on them.

it wouldn't be a good idea to tell to where to go, if you landlord is willing to pay it then everyone's happy (almost)

Specialun · 07-07-2014 03:10PM

I just checked mine and its 3 paymenst of E50

Plus the ba%tards stop exactly at the start of my lawn and refuse to cut my v v v small front lawn

Its no wonder i tell them fookoff (Politely of course)

awec · 07-07-2014 03:16PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

We were only told that!

It's money for the Government.

You were never told that.

Why would property tax pay for grass cutting in private estates?

anewme · 07-07-2014 03:16PM

Can safely say I've never been down to my last 47c in a week - like many others have often stuck my card in at month end and no money left till payday but if I needed to set aside 47c as part of my budget then I thankfully am able to do it. If someone was genuinely not able to pay, then

I don't see an issue but the op said he would rather treat his son to something if he had 25 left at the end of the month, could he not pay 5 for five months to Residents per month and leave 20 to treat his son? Im not saying he should pay anyway(I think the landlord should pay) but I think every house should pay. I am making the point, we all have other things we need or would like - I am single and on my own and paying a large mortgage and bills by myself. I would rather treat myself to something nice for 100 than pay to cut grass, but would prefer to pay my way and not expect others to pay for my estate to look nice and for me to enjoy it.

Nothing worse than looking out at a place that is littered, overgrown, etc, its just totally disheartening. My experience is that these people should be thanked for working on behalf of Residents, not moaned about. That said, our lot are not nosey sods or busybodies, not sure I would like to get a letter the day after I moved in - most of our lot work full time and have kids but are doing their bit for the community.

One thing though people have to be careful with in this day and age is insurance! Residents are leaving themselves wide open if they get out and cut large green areas for example. Someone's child could trip over a lawnmower lead and try and sue. We live in a claim culture. Unfortunately! Not everyone thinks of this, hence grass cutting companies need to have public liability insurance and there is a cost to this.

Recondite49 · 07-07-2014 04:09PM

anewme wrote: »

Can safely say I've never been down to my last 47c in a week - like many others have often stuck my card in at month end and no money left till payday but if I needed to set aside 47c as part of my budget then I thankfully am able to do it. If someone was genuinely not able to pay, then

I don't see an issue but the op said he would rather treat his son to something if he had 25 left at the end of the month, could he not pay 5 for five months to Residents per month and leave 20 to treat his son? Im not saying he should pay anyway(I think the landlord should pay) but I think every house should pay. I am making the point, we all have other things we need or would like - I am single and on my own and paying a large mortgage and bills by myself. I would rather treat myself to something nice for 100 than pay to cut grass, but would prefer to pay my way and not expect others to pay for my estate to look nice and for me to enjoy it.

Nothing worse than looking out at a place that is littered, overgrown, etc, its just totally disheartening. My experience is that these people should be thanked for working on behalf of Residents, not moaned about. That said, our lot are not nosey sods or busybodies, not sure I would like to get a letter the day after I moved in - most of our lot work full time and have kids but are doing their bit for the community.

One thing though people have to be careful with in this day and age is insurance! Residents are leaving themselves wide open if they get out and cut large green areas for example. Someone's child could trip over a lawnmower lead and try and sue. We live in a claim culture. Unfortunately! Not everyone thinks of this, hence grass cutting companies need to have public liability insurance and there is a cost to this.

Hi anewme,

I applaud you for having enough money to get by, not all of us have always been so lucky!

I've never liked the term 'genuine' when it comes to being unable to pay - it draws a distinction between a deserving and an undeserving poor which I find to be false and right wing. You either have enough money left after your basic expenses or you don't.

Any money I have left over I put towards my investments to support buying essentials in my frail old age - no time to give handouts to residents associations who should be calling the Landlord.

I'm also a little worried about whether they keep accurate records - how would you know if it's not both you and the Landlord paying?

JONJO THE MISER · 07-07-2014 04:13PM

Are they having a laugh, i would tell them no way in hell i would be paying 25 Eur
and then just shut the door in there face.

A2LUE42 · 07-07-2014 04:18PM

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Are they having a laugh, i would tell them no way in hell i would be paying 25 Eur
and then just shut the door in there face.

Just curious. Why would you behave like that ?

Specialun · 07-07-2014 04:19PM

^^^^^^^^^^^

Apt Username

neighbourhood committee looking for donations....

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