Highgate Works was originally the builders’ yard of the well-known H&E Waters company whose business failed in 1991. The original roof-lines of the old ramshackle yard, half a mile south of the two Forest Row roundabouts, have been retained in a complete rebuilding of the old timber structures that survived for most of the twentieth century. The three-dimensional architect’s “axonometric” drawing gives some idea of the attractive development. THE ROOKERY, with its black roofs, replaces a large old timber store. It is built on four discrete levels. Rated by the Wealden District Council for: “B1 Business - Offices (other than those that fall within A2), research and development of products and processes, light industry appropriate in a residential area.”
ROOKERY SUITE 3 on the first floor, has TWO large airy rooms both fitted with efficient LED liighting. See attached PLAN. The suite is well lit with double-glazed windows that face a field where sheep and lambs peacefully graze, unless the ram has access to the pastures green. A stainless steel catering size sink is fitted in Room 1. INTERIOR PICTURES HERE
OFFICE AREA TO RENT:
ROOM 1 is 5.565m x 5.825m = 32.41 sq metres less 6.13 sq mt (loft area) = 26.28 sq metres.
18ft 3in x 19ft = 345 sq ft less 66 sq ft (loft area) = 279 sq ft. LOFT STORAGE see plan (66 sq ft no charge).
ROOM 2 is 5.565 x 5.825 = 32.42 sq metres
18ft 3in x 19ft 2in = 349 sq ft
TOTAL RENTAL AREA: 628 sq. ft
CAR PARKING: Final rent figure will add car parking spaces reserved for your exclusive use (£1 per car per day). There is usually space available in Tomtits Lane or on site for use of casual visitors. Additional reserved car spaces are occasionally available. Each additional car space is £7 per week if required. CAR SPACES PLAN HERE
TOILETS: Sited on the ground floor. Separate male, female and disabled toilet accommodation.
COMMUNAL AREAS: Maintenance of toilets, entrances, stairs and landings in The Rookery. NO CHARGE PICTURES HERE
RATES: Rates @ £66 psm per annum (2023/2024 multiplier 0.512). Rates are not paid for communal areas. You may check the rates on the website of The Valuation Office: www.2010.voa.gov.uk. The billing authority reference number is Ba120501152270. Look for "First Office 58.4"
WATER RATES: Water and waste water are covered by the meter in Tomtits Lane. Meter Number: 2549381 (MARKED I on cast iron lid in Tomtits Lane). At the end of the year payment might need to be adjusted equitably between the occupied offices of the building. Each suite will pay in advance WATER £4 PER MONTH.
WASTE-WATER CHARGE is based upon water usage. Each suite will pay in advance WASTE WATER £9 PER MONTH.
WASTE COLLECTION: £6 per week covers the use of one quarter of the 1100 litre bins in the lane.
ELECTRICITY: Meter No 3, housed in the cupboard opposite the toilets on the ground floor, measures exact units consumed. Electricity is currently billed by e-on and the tenant will pay 21.90 pence per unit for The Rookery. Additionally, each tenant will pay the agreed daily standing charge of 30 pence per day. Billing by the landlord will be end of March, June, September and December.
GAS HEATING & HOT WATER : £29.13 per month. Usage estimated @ £20 (4 radiators) per month average winter/summer plus standing order £9.13 per month. Tenant pays half of the annual boiler service charge.
FLOORING: Recently fitted dark grey loop-pile carpet tiles. Spare tiles stored in the loft space.
DEPOSIT: A deposit of £1800 is returned if at the end of any agreement the premises are returned in the same decorative condition they were in at the start of the term.
SIGNAGE: A charge of £70 inc VAT is made to cover cost of providing attractive engraved signs for entrance doors (2), the car park and the lane.
INSURANCE: AVIVA provide property insurance as one policy on the whole of Highgate Works. The premium is £719.32 per annum for the whole of The Rookery. This is divided up according to floor area ROOKERY STUDIO: 15% of the cover; ROOKERY ONE: 11% of the cover; SUITE 2: 22% of the cover SUITE 3: 23% of the cover and SUITE 4: 29%. So SUITE 3 is charged £165.44 per annum (£13.79 pcm). External repairs; pathway and road maintenance; gutters and leaf clearance; all the responsibility of the landlord. The tenant is responsible for all interior decoration. The office will be newly decorated and a deposit will be retained to ensure that the premises are returned in the same decorative order they were in at the start of the tenancy.
REFERENCES: Two business references (and previous landlord where applicable) will be required before agreement.
PETS: No dogs or pets are allowed at Highgate Works out of consideration for the welfare of all who have business here.
SECURITY GATES: The Tomtits Lane heavy electronic security gate opens at 7am and closes at 8pm each day.
PAYMENT BY STANDING ORDER: An example: If the tenancy starts on January 1st, the initial payment (three months' rent in advance) will cover rent up to the end of March. First payment by standing order on February 1st will pay rent for April.