30. House Rules

The House Rules govern the orderly administration of Helderberg Village. While all the House Rules are contained in general terms in this document, you are advised to acquaint yourself with the House Rules of the Association.

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31. Income and Expenditure Statements

Monthly income and expenditure statements setting out the financial position of the Association are available each month at the administration office reception, for perusal by interested villagers.

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32. Insurance

Our dwelling and parking unit, including all standard fixtures, fittings and floor coverings in the unit prior to your taking occupation, are insured under an "umbrella" policy against, but excluding, accidental damage, the premium for which is met out of the monthly levy paid by all villagers. The replacement/insured value of the dwelling and parking unit is based on the area multiplied by the current building rate per square meter for the type of building, but does not take into account the value of material improvements effected privately by an owner or occupier. In order to ensure that all improvements effected are recorded and, if required by the owner, covered for insurance purposes, kindly advise the administration office of improvements and whether or not additional insurance cover is required, the cost of which will be borne individually.

It is the responsibility of individual villagers to insure their furniture, personal possessions and the contents of the dwelling and parking unit adequately, and it is advisable to have some All Risk and Public Liability cover.

Attention is drawn to Article no's. 111 and 112 of the Association's Articles of Association which provides that the Association, the Manager and his servants and/or contractors are not liable for losses including consequential losses, arising out of any act or omission of whatsoever nature.

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33. Keys and Locks

33.1 Dwelling

A schedule of the keys to your dwelling unit is kept in safekeeping in the administration office. The bell-door lock requires a special key, which cannot be purchased over the counter and for which only certain senior management staff hold a master key to gain access in case of emergencies. Additional bell-door keys may be specially ordered.

For your own safety, please do not affix security doors other than approved master locked 'Trellidor', or additional locks, bolts or security chains to the bell-door entrance or leave the key in the bell-door lock. This is likely to delay assistance in the case of an emergency.

The cost of repairing damage caused in gaining entry in an emergency by such security doors or additional locks, bolts or chains, will be for the account of the villager. It is also in the villager's interest not to lock oneself in their bedroom at night. This results in delay during an emergency.

When a Villager goes on leave, a yard key can be left, together with equipment to clean the outside windows, etc. Villagers must please bring keys to the Housekeeping Office themselves.

33.2 Garage

Automatic openers should not be activated until the door is visible to the operator or you are satisfied that no-one is in front of the door, to avoid possible injury to any person standing in front of the door.

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34. Laundry

The village laundry is organised and managed by the Housekeeping Manager and supervised by the Laundry Supervisor, telephone 021 855 4700, and will undertake the laundering of your bed-linen and towels (2 sheets or 1 sheet and 1 duvet cover, 2 pillow cases, 2 bath towels and 2 hand towels per person permanently residing in the unit, per week), the cost of which is included in the monthly levy. Additional items will be charged for at commercial rates. Each item of laundry must be clearly marked with surname and dwelling unit number, using name tapes or a permanent laundry marker.

Laundry will be collected from and delivered to villagers wishing to make use of this service on allocated days provided that the villager is available to hand over or receive the laundry personally, or has made suitable alternative arrangements with the housekeeping department. Failing this, villagers will be required to deliver and collect laundry to and from the housekeeping department's office on the allocated days.

Privately laundered articles must not be hung or placed in any part of the dwelling unit not designated for that purpose or community area such as to be visible from neighbouring dwelling units by passers-by. Management does not accept responsibility for any losses or damage to items of laundry.

Collection and delivery of laundry:

Should you wish to make an alternative arrangement, kindly submit your instructions in writing, to Mr Anthony Robyn, Laundry Supervisor, at the Laundry or at the Administration office.

Please note:
Should you wish to make an alternative arrangement, kindly submit your instruction in writing on the back of your pink laundry slip;
Management does not accept responsibility for any losses or damage to laundry items;
Clean laundry will, in the absence of a resident, be returned to the laundry and may be collected by the resident at a later stage;
Unmarked laundry will not be processed. An Artline 700 marker, available at any stationery shop, is effective;
Soiled linen to be accompanied by a pink slip.

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35. Levy

The monthly levy payable in respect of each dwelling unit is calculated in terms of Article no. 8 of the Association's Articles of Association, to meet the operating and capital costs of Helderberg Village, including the maintenance of all sporting facilities. The current levy payable in respect of the various standard dwelling units is set out in the tariff of charges. An additional levy is charged for every additional fully or partially enclosed portion of a dwelling unit (see tariff of charges addendum).

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36. Library

The library is housed in the clubhouse building. Membership is free and there is a wide selection of books, puzzles, games and videos that may be taken out on loan in terms of the library regulations.
There is also a stock of books in Allenwood.

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37. Light Bulb Replacement

To ensure the life of electric light-fittings, it is recommended that only 60-watt/259 volt electric light bulbs be used. 100-watt light bulbs could cause damage to the fittings, particularly closed units. Bulbs are available from and may be fitted at a charge by the maintenance department.

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38. Master Homeowners Association

The Helderberg Village Master Homeowners Association is the umbrella body responsible for the overall management and control of Helderberg Village through its elected Board of Directors, paid officials and/or appointed/elected committees.
Every owner (sectional title owner or share block holder) is automatically a member of the Association and is subject to the Association's Constitution and House Rules. Nominated occupiers of a dwelling unit owned by a juristic person, tenants, residents occupying a room in the health care centre as well as spouses and parties who are not owners, are not entitled to membership.

Meetings of members of the Association are held from time to time to provide a channel of communication with villagers, to disseminate information, and to seek information and comment on various subject matters.

A copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and of the House Rules of the Association are available for perusal in the administration office.

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39. Newspaper Deliveries

By arrangement with the various Newspaper suppliers, newspapers are delivered to the dwelling units.
For details of the respective agents contact the Villager Liaison Officer, telephone 021 855 1200.
If you already subscribe to a particular newspaper, all you need to do is notify them of your change of address.

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40. Notices

Notices are displayed on the notice boards in the foyers of the various community buildings and in the administration office. These notices are also to be found in the 'Weekly Newsletter', which is issued each Friday and delivered to your dwelling unit. No notices are to be fixed on any notice board without the prior approval of Village Management. Advertising on the notice boards is not permitted.

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41. Panic/Emergency Alarm System

Dwelling units may be connected to the panic alarm monitoring system at Heatherton House health care centre, to ensure fast reaction to medical, security and fire emergencies. A sentry reporter with remote and/or hardwired panic buttons can be purchased at a cost which is subject to confirmation, through the Villager Liaison Officer, telephone 021 855 1200.

It is a good idea to test that your alarm is working from time to time. Before you do this, please ring the duty room at Heatherton House (021 855 1267) to advise them of your intention to test the alarm. They will get back to you to confirm the signal transmission.

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42. Parking for Motor Vehicles

Parking within the Village, particularly in the Closes leading to the garages, is at a premium. Villagers are requested to park motor vehicle/s in their garage/s whenever possible in order to reduce the congestion, and to encourage visitors to use the various public parking areas. To avoid sprinklers being damaged, villagers and visitors are requested not to park on the lawns. Vehicles may not be parked on any paved pathway.

Additional motor vehicles must, after having received the prior written authority of Village Management, be parked in the parking area adjacent to the administration office or such other area which may be designated for this purpose from time to time by Village Management. No guarantee can be given that such facilities will be permanently available and no such vehicles may be parked at any other place within the precincts of the Village unless by prior arrangement with Village Management.

Accommodation is available outside the Village for boats, caravans and trailers.
Jacques Hugo at telephone no. 021 850 2911 will be able to provide more information.

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43. Personal Details

A "personal details" form which will provide Village Management with the information it may require from time to time in order to carry out its functions, particularly in an emergency, will be placed in your dwelling unit prior to your arrival, for completion by you at an early date.

The information contained in these forms will remain CONFIDENTIAL to senior Village Management. However, if you should consider any of the information to be of so sensitive a nature that you do not wish to divulge it al all, please merely enter 'N/A' in the space provided alongside the particular question. However, it is hoped that villagers will assist Village Management by providing as much information as possible to ensure that any crisis can be dealt with as efficiently as possible. Please return the completed forms to Village Management as soon as possible and ensure that the information is updated whenever necessary.

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44. Pets

An owner shall not, without the consent in writing of the Village Management (for which consent written application should be made), keep any pet. Attention is drawn to House rule no. 22 relating to pets.

Pet owners enjoy the privilege in Helderberg Village of being able to keep their pets with them. That privilege gives rise to a responsibility to take the necessary very considerable trouble, to bear the expense, and to accept the inconvenience and restrictions to ensure proper control of their animals at all times. In that way the happiness and contentment of other villagers is not unnecessarily disturbed, and those other villagers then do not have legitimate grounds for complaint.

Some villagers are simply not animal lovers and dog owners must realise that dog droppings left lying about are extremely offensive to many, whose feelings must be respected in these matters. Droppings MUST, therefore, be buried or be removed by the dog owners and be deposited, preferably into the toilet system, or in the 'Doggie-Doo' bins. PLEASE NOTE - THE STORM WATER DRAINS MUST NOT BE USED as the storm water is piped into the Village dam.

Pet owners who, through illness, physical disability or otherwise, cannot themselves exercise their pets and/or satisfactorily remove and dispose of their droppings or perform any other function in connection with their pets, should make arrangements with friends to assist them to do the necessary. Village management is not able to care for pets.

Owners must ensure that their pets do not disturb other villagers by trespassing, barking, yapping or howling.
Owners are to ensure that their pets are prevented from disturbing birds or wildfowl and from chasing or barking at vehicles, pedestrians or staff.

Owners are expected to keep their animals indoors overnight and not to let them out in the mornings without ensuring that barking is avoided and any resultant droppings are observed then suitably disposed of immediately.
Bitches should be spayed but if not, then they should be boarded in kennels whilst they are "on heat". Cats should be neutered or spayed but if not, then likewise boarded in kennels during "cat month".

Pets are not, under any circumstances permitted in the restaurants, administration office, clubhouse or any communal buildings, nor into the swimming pool enclosures, golf and bowling greens or on the croquet-lawn.

Unless a local veterinary surgeon advises otherwise, in specific cases, pets, particularly young animals, must be inoculated against rabies as regularly as required by a local veterinary surgeon.

Owners are to ensure that their pets do not damage refuse bags put out for collection. If their pets are prone to this action, owners are expected to keep them confined indoors at the appropriate times.

The ultimate objective must be to limit the number of pets to ONE WELL-MANAGED PET PER DWELLING. Additional animals MUST NOT be replaced. Replacements for single animals should be mature, and manageable by the owner concerned. Living in a group scheme without fences, it must be realised that puppies or young dogs, which are untrained and active, possibly noisy and destructive, are UNSUITABLE pets in the Village. (Also, if owners pre-decease pets, problems may arise).

Burial of deceased pets within the Village boundaries is NOT permissible. They should be delivered to the local veterinarian for hygienic disposal.

In cases where a dog's nature and training, or lack thereof, is such that satisfactory control of the animal, to avoid justified complaint from fellow Villagers, is not achieved without a lead, THE OWNER WILL BE EXPECTED TO KEEP THE ANIMAL WHEN IT IS ABROAD IN THE VILLAGE, ON A LEAD HELD BY THE OWNERS.

Complaints about the behaviour of a specific pet are to be submitted in writing to the General Manager, identifying the pet, its owner as well as the complainant. The observed incidents will be investigated and treated on merit.

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45. Postal Service

A postal service is available from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Outgoing mail may be deposited in any one of the post boxes situated at the entrance to the community buildings and administration office or in the green boxes in Malray near cottage 451, Northriding 608, and Bredell near cottage nos. 842, 916 and 954, and is collected at approximately 14h00 to be taken to Somerset West post office. Incoming mail is received, sorted and then delivered door to door, all mail being delivered each weekday. Registered, certified or parcel items may be collected at the administration office.

Each dwelling unit must have an approved post-box, a sample of which is on view at the administration office, or a brass letter slot in the bell-door for receiving incoming mail. Only the latter may be fitted in the apartments. Remember, when installing a security gate, enough space must be left to enable the postman to drop mail through a letter slot.

Mail drops of advertising material may be arranged through the administration office at a charge (see tariff of charges addendum) and such material will be delivered by the Village postmen. Individuals are not permitted to personally make deliveries and such should be reported immediately, nor is any other means of advertising permitted.

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46. Quiet Time

A QUIET PERIOD between 13h30 and 15h30, and between 22h00 and 08h00 must ALWAYS be observed.

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47. Recycling

Paper and glass are collected for recycling and the funds raised go towards various village activities, e.g. trees for the green belt, road name signs, bowls mower repairs, birthday cards, etc.

Paper and cardboard (please no cellophane or plastic) is collected every Monday, weather permitting, from 14h00. Your contribution should be placed in plastic supermarket bags, and be placed on the roadside for collection. A special trip for large quantities can be arranged, (see addendum).

All glass including broken glass, can be deposited in the 'bottle bank' alongside the roadway below the Shemara dam wall. Contents such as chutney, jam, pastes, etc., must please be rinsed out and the tops removed, before depositing.
Old Christmas, birthday and anniversary cards are re-conditioned and sold in aid of health care, Heatherton House funds (see addendum).

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48. Security

An electrical fence protects the entire boundary of the village with security officers manning the entrance and patrolling within the boundary, 24-hours a day.

Should you at any time observe a person acting in a suspicious manner, be approached by persons seeking work, or by door to door sales persons, you are requested to report the incident immediately to Group 4 Global Solutions (Pty) Ltd, our security company, who are in radio contact with the security officers in the village, at telephone no. 021 448 5721 all hours, or during office hours, the administration office at telephone no. 021 855 1200, speed dial no. 3.

Whilst this is a secure village, it must be realised that it is not possible to guarantee security or for security personnel to keep track of every employee or delivery person at all times, nor to protect your property specifically, so it is necessary to exercise reasonable security precautions.

Villagers are requested to please assist and to ensure that:

- handbags, valuables and cash are not left lying about as temptation;

- unbarred windows including fan lights, are closed and latched when the dwelling unit is unoccupied, and at night. It is recommended that windows be left open at night and those facing into the courtyard, are burglar barred as an extra precaution;

- when leaving the dwelling unit unoccupied, doors are locked and a key left half-turned on the inside, except the 'master locked' bell door;
- keys for safes or drawers containing valuables are kept on your person and not left in 'hidy holes';

- privately employed staff are registered with Village Management who will issue your employee with a security pass. Your employee's identity book and two passport-size colour photographs together with details of days and hours of employment, must be provided for this purpose;

- no shrub, bush or creeper is planted against or nearer than 2 metres to the security fence in order to reduce the possibility of would-be intruders using them as cover, or of damage to the fence, nor must any tree be planted in such a position that when fully grown, its branches will obscure sight of, touch or overhang the security fence.


All villagers motor vehicles are to bear a green access token in the bottom left hand corner of the windscreen, which will allow unrestricted access. A token may be obtained from the administration office when submitting the Personal Details Form, see item 43 PERSONAL DETAILS.

The motor vehicles of visitors staying for a period in the Village, non-resident club members or visitors who visit at least three times a week, are to bear a coloured access token available from the administration office upon application, in the bottom left hand corner of the windscreen which will allow access subject to:
- the expiry date on the token being verified from time to time;
- random searches of vehicles and contents;
- re-issue every 12 months.

Occupants of vehicles not bearing an access token will be required to sign the security log book at the boom gate and THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS PERMITTED.

Security staff have been instructed not to open the boom gate until they are able to positively identify the access token and driver, and villagers are requested to reduce speed and to exercise patience when approaching the boom.

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49. Social Activities and Entertainment

Details of all social activities and entertainment appear on the notice boards in the foyers of the community building, in the administration office, at the clubhouse and in the Weekly Newsletter which is delivered to villagers each Friday.

Enquiries and suggestions should be directed to the Club Co-ordinator/Secretary, telephone 021 855 4602, during office hours only.

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50. Speed Limit and Road Signs

Vehicles are not permitted to hoot or exceed 30 kph on any roadways within the Village. Where road signs have been erected, these must be obeyed, but motorists should at all times use the roadways in the Village in a cautious and considerate manner, such as to promote road safety within the Village.

The motor vehicle of any person failing to observe reasonable road safety and the House Rules, may be barred from entering the Village precincts.

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51. Sports and Cultural

The facilities of the sports and cultural clubs are available to MEMBERS ONLY and it is necessary for villagers to join the section of their choice and to pay the applicable subscription, in order to make use of the facility. Casual membership is also provided for. These clubs are subject to the House Rules but are administered by their own committees under their own Constitutions and Regulations, each having laid down a subscription for membership and other charges.

Fees presently payable by villagers joining any of the various sporting/social sections are set out in the tariff of charges addendum.

Further details, are available on application from the various club secretaries, through the Club Co-ordinator/Secretary at the clubhouse office - telephone 021 855 4602.

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52. Staff

52.1 Collections

The organised collection of funds for gifts for staff is not permitted, but special attention is drawn to 53.6 "Staff Tips" fund, below.

52.2 Duties

The staff employed by village management have a work schedule to which they must adhere. In terms of the provisions under item 25, GARDENS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE or 30, HOUSEKEEPING, villagers must please refrain from requesting staff to carry out personal duties except during the time such staff are hired by those villagers.

52.3 Loans

Villagers are kindly requested not to advance money to staff members and to report any instances where staff approach villagers for loans. Staff have been advised of this ruling and will be subject to disciplinary action.

52.4 Private work

Villagers are advised not to employ or to enter into any private arrangements with village employees to carry out work in their own time. Such arrangements have in the past, proved to be most unsatisfactory, and Village Management accepts no responsibility, whatsoever, in this regard.

52.5 Tips

It is STRICTLY AGAINST Village policy for villagers to 'TIP' staff or to give individual staff presents in CASH or KIND. This is because only certain employees benefit from this, while other employees, i.e. laundry staff, refuse collectors, etc., who are out of sight but who also contribute towards the services provided, would not benefit at all. Employees have been warned that accepting 'tips' is against the Staff Rules and Regulations and that they will be severely disciplined, if found to be doing so.

52.6 'Staff Tips' fund

To ensure that all service staff receive fair recognition for their loyalty and service, and to give villagers the opportunity of expressing their appreciation for services received during the year, a 'Staff Tips' fund has been established which will be distributed equally amongst the service staff during December each year.

Contributions to the 'Staff Tips' fund may be paid into reception at any time during the year and will be accepted up to mid-December for payment that year. Contributions may be included with the payment of the management statement.

52.7 'Gifts'

Unwanted clothing, furniture or food (these are not regarded as gifts in kind) may be handed to staff members provided that they received a 'GOODS PASS' which is available at reception. Failing this, the items will be confiscated by security personnel in accordance with instructions given to them.

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53. Swimming Pools

The swimming pools are generally for the enjoyment of villagers. Villagers' visitors and their children are welcome provided that they are well behaved and considerate towards villagers and observe the quiet period between 13h30 and 15h30, and between 22h00 and 08h00 daily.

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Diving, splashing, ball games and air mattresses are not permitted in the swimming pools, and dogs are not permitted to enter the swimming pool enclosures.

NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS IS PERMITTED ACCESS TO THE KILBERRY POOL ENCLOSURE.

Please ensure that the expensive pool cleaning equipment is not tampered with and that the 'Kreepy' is not removed from the water under any circumstances.

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54. Telephones

Application for a private telephone service may be made through the Villager Liaison Officer. A public telephone in the clubhouse building, is accessible at all hours.

The telephone in the administration office may also be used during normal office hours, 08h30 to 13h00 and 14h00 to 15h30, and that in the health care centre, Heatherton House, after hours for emergencies only, until such time as your telephone is installed.

As soon as you are allocated a telephone number, please advise the administration office in order that it may be recorded.

Lists of all villagers telephone numbers are available from the administration office upon request, and these are updated regularly.

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55. Transport

A mini bus leaves at 09h15 from the administration office, for Somerset West via the Somerset Mall, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, collecting villagers from the various community buildings in the village. Passengers may be dropped at various places in the main street of Somerset West, including Woolworths and Checkers. The minibus returns, leaving Woolworths Somerset West at 11h40, Checkers Somerset West, at 11h50 and Nedbank Somerset West at 12h00, also via the Mall, returning at 12h15.

On one Tuesday and one Thursday each month, a mini bus travels to Cavendish Square shopping centre in Claremont, leaving from the administration office at 09h15 and returning to the Village at approximately 16h30.

A shopping trip is arranged each Friday afternoon leaving from administration at 14h00 for the local Heldervue shopping centre, and returning at 15h30.

As space on the minibus is at a premium, villagers are urged to cancel a minibus booking timeously as failing to do so could result in a fellow villager not having the opportunity to use the bus.

The costs per person for the above trips are set out in the tariff of charges addendum.

Transport is also provided to the various hospitals and specialist clinics in Somerset West, by arrangement with the Nursing Services Manager, Heatherton House.

Outings to various local attractions, the theatre, and places of interest are arranged from time to time, the cost of which depends on the distance travelled and service provided. Details appear on the notice boards and in the 'Weekly Newsletter'.

Bookings for all transport are to be made at the administration office, telephone 021 855 1200.

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56. Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax (VAT) is not payable on monthly levies but is payable on all other service charges made by Village Management. Charges/fees contained in this document are inclusive of VAT and are, at all times, subject to confirmation.

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57. Visitors and Guests

To ensure that the spirit of peace and happiness in the Village is maintained at all times, villagers will be held fully responsible or the actions and conduct of their visitors and guests, and must act accordingly, ensuring that visitors comply with all House Rules.

Particular care and control must be exercised in the case of the sporting facilities, and children and pets are not permitted on the golf and bowling greens, or on the croquet-lawn. Children are to be supervised by an adult when using the swimming pools, in the area of any of the sporting facilities and at the dams. Skateboards and roller-blades are not permitted on any pathway or on any roadway but may be used, with care, in the car park. Please exercise extreme care with cycles.

A QUIET PERIOD between 13h30 and 15h30, and between 22h00 and 08h00 must ALWAYS be observed.

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58. Water Supply (Domestic)

You are advised to enquire about the position of your domestic water metre and/or stopcock and in case of emergency, to know how to switch off the water supply. In the event of your water supply failing, check with your neighbours to see whether they have water before telephoning the Municipal water department, telephone 021 850 4000, or outside normal office hours, 021 853 1122, for assistance.

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