All buyers are being told about the rules before they buy and will sign contracts stipulating they must "refrain" from hanging washing in a manner that may "detract from the visual enjoyment of the building". The firm says many of its buyers are "comforted" by the fact the development, on the site of the former hospital, is protected and will retain its "visual appeal". A buyer, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were told early on about the rules. I'd never heard of it before. I don't really know how they can stop you – there's worse crimes you can do. I think people will ignore the rules to be honest, once they move in.
"You also can't choose your own shed, it has to be one to their specification. They are like a postage stamp, they don't even match the fence, they're about as much use as a chocolate fireguard." Properties start at £349,950 for a three-bedroom house and each property includes a washer and dryer to encourage people to dry washing in private. Caravans and trailers parked on driveways are also not permitted. A spokesman for the firm said that it wanted residents to be assured the development wouldn't become "garish" and said it is important prospective buyers know the rules – even if it means missing a sale.
The spokeswoman said: "As a company, we strive to provide a living environment that both complements and protects the historic nature of the listed sites we work with. We work hard to ensure these schemes strike a balance that ensures our residents can expect quiet enjoyment of their new homes without detracting from the look or feel of the historic setting. We have a lease and/or transfer agreement in place that sets out guidelines to ensure our developments are protected and maintained for future prosperity. One of these guidelines refers to washing or, more specifically, the hanging of washing so as to be visible outside of the property. We do ask our residents to refrain from hanging washing in a manner that may detract from the visual enjoyment of the building or otherwise cause offence to fellow residents."
7 comments:
Not having your washing outside is part of the covenant of both the place I own in NI and the place I'm living in in Oxford.
Really?
Blimey.
I never knew the Victorians had clothes-dryers.
Lurker111
Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?
This smacks of home owners' associations in the USA. I will never live in one of their communities.
My first thought was that Victorians always hung their clothes out to dry (Lurker's comment). And I live in one of those HOAs where you're not supposed to hang clothes, swimwear, towels, etc. even on your enclosed patio.
Why does everyone have this idea that Victorian times were lovely and clean? The was the beginning of the industrial revolution and it was ugly and dark from all the coal. I agree that washing should be hung in a designated area and not off balconies. But I don't like other people telling me how to live. As long as the washing is brought in regularly and not just left there all day long, then I have no problem with it.
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