These are the commonly asked questions, if you have any others please contact us.
1. Are the studios freehold?
The studios are sold with a 999year lease form 31st December 2007.
2. How much is the Ground Rent?
Ground Rent is set at £50 per annum.
3. How much are the Service Charges, and what do they cover?
The service charges for 2010-2011 are £695, payable in 2 payments due 1st September and 1st March. This includes Building Insurance (but not studio contents); maintenance and servicing of lift; maintenance of entry and security systems; cleaning and general maintenance of the internal communal and external areas and a general repair and redecoration fund.
4. What guarantees and insurances will the building have?
There is a Zurich 10 year Structural Guarantee. Full details of what this covers will be provided to your solicitors.
The building, fixtures and fittings and the Landlord's contents are insured through Maritime Studios Management Company (MSMC). Insurance cover for the personal contents in the studios is the responsibility of the owner/tenant.
5. What are the costs for the purchase of a studio?
A non-refundable reservation fee of £2,000 is required and this will form part of the purchase monies. A 10% deposit (of the purchase price) will be required at Exchange of Contracts, which should take place within 28 days of the purchasers’ solicitors receiving the contract pack. In addition to the purchase price, you will have to pay your solicitor’s costs and any disbursements such as Local Search and Land Registry fees as well as any costs incurred by you in arranging finances (where applicable).
6. Can the Lease be amended?
The lease governs the use of the building and sets certain standards. It is important that all the leases remain the same, so variations are not possible. Individual purchasers will know exactly what conditions apply to other owners, and each owner is responsible for ensuring that students comply with the requirements of the lease.
7. Who are the services providers?
There is no gas within the building.
Electricity is provided by EDF and is charged at their standard electricity charge. Studios have individual meters and EDF issues a quarterly bill to the individual owners or students, who are responsible for paying them. It is important that new residents take the meter reading when moving in and final readings when leaving.
Water is provided by South West Water and there is one meter which is regularly read by both MSMC and SWW. Owners will receive either a proportional quarterly or half-yearly bill.
8. Who is the broadband provider and how will the use be regulated?
The line rental is with BT and the service provider is Plusnet. MSMC also employ an IT support company. The studios are hardwired into the building-wide network while the two common rooms are wireless enabled. IMPORTANT - students MUST use a CAT5e cable to connect their computer into the building network. Guidelines and restrictions for such use as peer to peer or music/film downloads follow those set by the university. Owners will receive a proportional annual bill.
9. How good is the sound insulation?
The sound insulation provided meets both current Building Regulations and Zurich’s requirements for a development of this nature. The project's architect advises that it is 31db facing the cliff and 36 db facing the dockyard.
10. How far is it to the Wood Lane and Tremough Campus and what public transport is available?
Maritime Studios is located within a 10-15 minute walk from the Wood Lane Campus and Falmouth town centre. It is adjacent to the Falmouth branch line railway station (Falmouth Docks) which connects to the mainline station at Truro via Penryn station, about a 10-15 minute walk from Tremough Campus. The existing bus routes on which students can travel at discounted rates include the First Group bus route 41 which connects Falmouth Docks with the town centre and Tremough on a daily basis. For further information contact 0845 600 1420 or www.firstgroup.com
11. Who lives at Maritime Studios?
Maritime Studios is a privately-owned apartment building designed and built specifically for students who are in full-time education at The Combined Universities in Cornwall and The Marine School in Falmouth. Students from all over the country and overseas are studying a wide range of courses at various campuses and are at different stages of their course. In general, students at Maritime Studios are a mix of those studying their first, second and third years, Post-grads and Masters.
12. Can I bring my car? Where can I park?
In line with the current thinking and university policy, MSMC would like to encourage students and visitors to consider means of transport other than their own cars. Due to physical restrictions on site, there are a very limited number of parking bays for students to rent from MSMC, which are available on a first come, first served basis. Adjacent to Maritime Studios is a 24 hour Pay and Display car park owned by Railtrack.