Question 1

HOW CAN I GET ACCESS TO THE GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

For those residents that do not have direct access to the Garden there is a gate on Castellain Road close to the junction with Sutherland Avenue.  Access is via a key fob obtainable from the Managing Agents, AMSBM, in return for a deposit of £50.  The deposit is refunded when the fob is returned however deposits not collected within one year will be retained.  Up to two fobs per property can be secured with a deposit of £50 each.  For security reasons key fobs are regularly renewed for which there is no charge. 
 
You need to be able to prove that you are a resident of a property adjoining the Garden so please provide a recent utility bill and proof of ID when you request the key.

Question 2

HOW DO I KEEP UP TO DATE WITH GARDEN NEWS?

Accepted Answer

You can find the latest news from the Formosa Garden on our blog which is at Garden News.  The garden produces a quarterly newsletter to coincide with our Events, and print copies are delivered to all properties around the garden.  You can receive email alerts containing links to the most recent stories and a soft copy of the newsletter by signing up for our emailing list on our Subscribe to our Newsletter page.

To be alerted whenever the blog is updated, residents can sign up to be a member of the Formosa community using the login button above on the RHS.  Once your membership is approved go to Account>Settings and turn on Blog Subscription.

Question 3

WHO PAYS FOR THE UPKEEP OF THE GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

We all do. Under the Rent Charge arrangements each property on the Garden makes a pre-agreed annual contribution, which is paid to the managing agents to manage on behalf of Formosa Amenity Limited. This pays for the cost of the gardeners and the maintenance work that is done and for social events such as the Summer Party and the Fireworks Night.

Question 4

I’VE SEEN SOME GARDENERS AT WORK IN THE GARDEN – WHO ARE THEY?

Accepted Answer

The Board engages a firm of gardeners called Gravitas who took over the contract in 2020. The team have vast experience having originally worked at nearby Clifton Nurseries and now manage a number of communal gardens across London as well as those of many private residences.

Question 5

CAN I KEEP A DOG IN THE GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but your dog must be registered on our website and kept on the leash at all times except for the hours between day-break and 10 am. Care should be taken around cats and other dogs and especially around small children. You must always make sure that you clean up after your dog and dispose of the mess by taking it out of the Garden.

Question 6

WHERE CAN I FIND THE RULES AND WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SEE OTHER RESIDENTS BREAKING THE RULES?

Accepted Answer

The Garden rules have been created to ensure that residents can live together in harmony and the well-being of the whole community is protected. The rules are listed in full on this website and it’s our shared responsibility to uphold them. If you are aware of a resident breaking the rules please contact AMSBM in the first instance.

Question 7

HOW CAN MY BUILDERS GET ACCESS TO THE GARDEN SIDE OF MY HOUSE?

Accepted Answer

You will need to clear any proposed works that impinge on the Garden with AMSBM and lodge a security deposit of £1000, in return for which your builders will be given a key for the Castellain Road entrance.  No vehicles are allowed into the Garden other than those belonging to contractors employed by Formosa Amenity.  All scaffolding and tools must be hand-carried from the gate.

Question 8

DOES THE GARDEN EVER HOST EVENTS FOR RESIDENTS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We hold an annual summer party with games for kids and an adults’ drink and dance event in the evening. We also hold a fireworks display every year with a bonfire and have more recently hosted a Shakespeare performance and a wine-tasting evening with local suppliers.

Question 9

CAN I HAVE A PARTY IN THE GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but parties involving more than 10 people (residents or guests) must have prior permission from the Managing Agents and also the agreement of immediate neighbours. All parties must end by 8pm.  No glassware, tables or garden furniture are allowed – folding chairs only may be taken out. Barbecues are also banned, although they can take place on private patios or terraces where the terms of a freehold or tenancy allow.

Question 10

CAN I PLAY MUSIC OR PUT SPEAKERS IN MY GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

Residents must ensure that at all times noise is kept at a level which does not cause disturbance to other users of the Garden. This includes loud music, particularly after 8pm. Residents are also asked not to put speakers in their gardens or terraces. We don’t all share the same musical tastes!

Question 11

CAN CHILDREN PLAY SPORTS IN THE GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

Children under the age of 10 can play ball games provided that they are considerate of the interests of other residents, for example by avoiding excessive noise and keeping the ball out of the flowerbeds and private gardens. Remote-controlled toys, roller skates etc, are forbidden.

Question 12

CAN CHILDREN RIDE BIKES IN THE GARDEN?

Accepted Answer

Yes, again as long as they respect the interests of others. They should also make sure that bikes, sporting equipment and children’s toys are not left in the Garden overnight where other residents could trip over them. Any such abandoned items will be removed and disposed of.

Question 13

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I LOSE SOMETHING VALUABLE IN THE GARDEN – OR FIND SOMETHING?

Accepted Answer

If you find something in the Garden that you suspect will be of value to the person who lost it please hold onto it and let our managing agents AMSBM know. Their contact details can be found on the ‘Contact Us’ page on this website. The gardeners will do the same if they come across a lost item in the course of their work, so AMSBM are definitely the first port of call if there’s something of value you are trying to track down.

Question 14

WHEN IS RUBBISH COLLECTED IN THE LOCAL AREA?

Accepted Answer

Rubbish is collected on Monday and Thursday between 7 am and 12 noon in all three streets that border the Garden: Warrington Crescent, Sutherland Avenue and Castellain Road.  For the latest details look at the Rubbish and Recycling pages on the website of Westminster City Council.

Question 15

WHEN IS RE-CYCLING COLLECTED?

Accepted Answer

Re-cycling is collected on Monday and Friday on all three streets, from 8 am to 2 pm. You can also take your recycling materials down to the bins next to Warwick Avenue tube station, where there is also a charity bin for old clothes and large refuse hoppers. There are also refuse hoppers in Sutherland Avenue.  For up to date information please check the Rubbish & Recycling pages on the Westminster City Council website.

Question 16

CAN MY FRIENDS PARK IN THE STREET OUTSIDE MY HOUSE?

Accepted Answer

The streets around the Garden – in Westminster Zone C -- are almost all restricted to residents’ parking. Almost all the restrictions apply only on weekdays from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, but tell your friends to check the signs! The greatest concentration of Pay and Display spaces are in Warwick Avenue, just south of the tube, either side of the traffic island in the centre of the road.

Question 17

HOW DO I GET A PERMIT FOR MY BUILDER TO PARK IN THE STREET?

Accepted Answer

Contact Westminster Council on 020-7641 4646 or download a form from their website. Permits cost £20.90 a day from 8 April 2024.

Question 18

ARE THERE ANY CHARGING POINTS FOR ELECTRIC CARS?

Accepted Answer

Yes – several have now been installed in Sutherland Avenue, and there are also a few in Castellain Road.

Question 19

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE AMENITY COMPANY’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING?

Accepted Answer

The Annual General Meeting takes place each year, usually in or around June or July and is announced on the website blog.  Notice is given in advance so that freeholders can plan their attendance.  Attendance is open to freeholders only.

Question 20

WHAT TYPES OF CHANGES TO MY PROPERTY REQUIRE APPROVAL BY THE AMENITY COMPANY?

Accepted Answer

See the page ‘Altering your Property’ on this website.

Question 21

WHO DO I HAVE TO CONTACT IF I WANT TO MAKE CHANGES TO MY PROPERTY?

Accepted Answer

In the first instance contact the Managing Agents at the address set out on the ‘Contact Us’ page. They will then start the process of securing approval for the changes you want to make.

Question 22

HOW CAN I CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE FORMOSA BOARD?

Accepted Answer

You can of course speak informally at any time to members of the Board about issues that concern you – many of them can often be found out in the Garden. But for formal questions, requests for approval, etc, you should contact the Managing Agents. Their phone number and e-mail address is on the ‘Contact Us’ page of this website.