For several weeks, an ongoing dispute between the Blue Hills Ext 15 Home Owners Association and a development company, Blue Hills Joint Venture, has included meetings with Midrand police and Ward 112 councillor, Madeline Hicklin in an attempt to resolve the issues concerning the development.
Marvin Maphiri, the secretariat of the homeowners association, an informal association representing various homeowners in the area, indicated that there were several issues of concern, including crime and theft as well as the lack of security clearances, speed humps and access control.
House defects and the repair of those defects were also an issue of concern for the homeowners association.
In response, Peter Hofmeyr, CEO of BHJV, the developer in this area said, “Once land developers such as BHJV have completed the servicing of the stands and handed these services over to the City of Joburg (water and sewer pipelines, roads, storm water pipelines and electrical reticulation), then the developer has no further authority to touch anything inside the road reserves as the road reserve and the services therein all belong to the local authority.
“In addition, the BHJV is not a builder, nor does it sell houses. It makes stands available to so-called ‘top structure’ developers, who accept a stand on consignment, sell a house package to a client and then secure a home loan for their client from a normal bank, thereafter constructing the house.”
He added that if there are defects, the individual homeowner should take this matter up with the developer with whom he had a building contract.
“Incidentally, if the developer or builder does not perform, or the homeowner is not satisfied with the response from the developer, then the homeowner should report the issue to the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), which would demand that the developer addresses the owner’s concerns, or take further action,” said Hofmeyer.
He also contends that the company did indicate its willingness to support additional security guards at the perimeter wall as well as beautifying the traffic circles at the entrances to the area but declined when the homeowners association’s demands for raising the perimeter wall, hiring additional guards and erecting a ClearVu fence were tabled.
Hicklin has called for occupancy certificates from a number of residents who have complaints, and a statement from the developer.
She has also referred the matter to the City of Joburg’s Section 79 development planning oversight committee for their assessment and will revert when any other feedback comes through.
