Q2b: What are some of the benefits of having a Residents’ Association? What are some examples of this at Dance Square? How can I get involved?
A: Many buildings, streets and communities around the world have associations to represent those who live there. Depending on the format of the development (from private freehold homes to large rental buildings) they represent the opinions and interests of those who live there either to the management of the site, the freeholder, the rental landlord or the local council. Some associations charge a fee to join, DSRA do not and membership is open to all, whether owner or renter. Associations can help to ensure that the residents have a voice in any decisions that would affect their daily life, such as amenities, services, or planning either within or adjacent to the site.
Besides ongoing dialogue with residents and the Managing Agent over service requests or improvements, we engage with Islington Council where local planning applications could impact Dance Square. The planning applications take up vast amounts of time and have been supported by hundreds of residents over the years. Using the expertise of members who are chartered surveyors, barristers, solicitors and those with planning experience who have generously given their time, we have been able to mount successful challenges or modifications to several applications. We also help residents formulate comments to the Council that are based on facts which the Council will consider and those they won’t. For example: loss of view of the Shard, or decreased property value are not reasonable grounds to object and will be disregarded. Most recently the association secured major concessions to the two-year disruption of Pear Tree St for the development of Laser House. The Council also agreed to invest significant funds in the enhancement of the street in recognition of all the construction over the past 10 years and in acknowledgement of the great sense of community we demonstrated at a community meeting in Spring 2020.
If you’d like to get involved with DSRA, all help is gratefully accepted and no experience is necessary! There are many tasks available from helping with social events, to doing online research, or responding to enquiries. Please email us and we would be happy to chat with you.