Convent-Coop-Members
About Us
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Who am I?
Utilities
Useful Info
CONVENT CO-OPERATIVE
Wandsworth
Council Tenant
- I am a resident on the estate who has been allocated a home by Wandsworth Council.
- Paying rent to the Co-operative on time via standing order, rent payment book or bank transfer. Ensuring that you don't go into arrears.
- Paying water rates to Thames Water
- Keeping bin sheds clean and hygienic
- Keeping public areas clear
- Being responsible for the upkeep of own gardens and balconies
- Keeping drains clear
- Report and necessary repairs to the estate office
- Pets are permitted in line with tenancy conditions, check here, or with the office for further details
- Being a responsible and respectful estate member
- Boiler repairs and heating - contact T. Brown Group - 0800 9778472 / 0208 394 1166
- Carrying out repairs to the property - e.g. leaks, electrical work, plumbing.
- Upkeep of communal gardens and public spaces
- Lighting within the blocks
- Issuing estate parking permits
- Collecting rents
- Any major works - including roof/windows / fire doors
- Street lighting/trees / pavements
- Road drainage
- More information
How to get involved?
Sub-let Tenant
- I sub-let a property from an away-leaseholder / landlord
- Keeping bin sheds clean and hygienic
- Keeping public areas clear
- Being responsible for the upkeep of own gardens and balconies
- Keeping drains clear
- Communicating with the landlord / agent about any required repairs
- Upkeep of communal gardens and public spaces
- Lighting within the blocks
- Issuing estate parking permits
- Any major works – including roof / windows / fire-doors
- Street lighting / trees / pavements
- Road drainage
- All enquiries should go to your landlord or agent first
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Away-Leaseholder / Landlord
- I am an away-leaseholder who sub-lets my property
- All repairs within the property
- Ensuring tenants adhere to the sub-let conditions as outlined by Wandsworth Council
- Paying annual service charges to the Co-op
- More information
- Upkeep of communal gardens and public spaces
- Lighting within the blocks
- Issuing estate parking permits
- Communal drainage
- Any major works – including roof / windows / fire-doors
- Street lighting / trees / pavements
- Road drainage
- Lorraine - Convent25@aol.com / 0208 874 6856
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Leaseholder
- I have bought the lease of my flat from Wandsworth Council who own the freehold
- Paying annual service charges to the Co-op
- Keeping the property in line with the general look and feel of the estate
- Keeping bin sheds clean and hygienic
- Being responsible for the upkeep of your own gardens and balconies
- Pets are permitted in line with the tenancy/lease conditions, check here, or with the office for further details
- Being a responsible and respectful estate member
- Keeping drains clear
- Upkeep of communal gardens and public spaces
- Lighting within the blocks
- Issuing estate parking permits
- Communal drainage
- Any major works - including roof / windows / fire-doors
- Street lighting / trees / pavements
- Road drainage
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Freeholder
- I own the freehold to my property which has a covenant to the Co-op, which contributes towards the upkeep of the estate
- Paying annual service charges for estate costs to the Co-op
- Keeping the property in line with the general look and feel of the estate
- Keeping bin sheds clean and hygienic
- Being responsible for the upkeep of own gardens and balconies
- All dogs to be micro-chipped in line with Wandsworth Council Dog Control
- Being a responsible and respectful estate member
- Keeping drains clear
- Upkeep of communal gardens and public spaces
- Lighting within the blocks
- Issuing estate parking permits
- Communal drainage
- Street lighting / trees / pavements
- Road drainage
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Glossary of Terms
- The shared entrances, halls, stairways, passages, fire escapes, roads and paths leading to your home. Grassed, cultivated, and other shared areas within the estate and block boundaries
- Installation for supplying or using gas, electricity and water;
- Built-in furniture;
- Internal fixed glass;
- Basins, sinks, baths and toilets;
- Pipes, ducts, tanks, wires, cables, switches, boilers and storage heaters;
- Fixed wall, floor or ceiling coverings, other than carpets
- Your local managing agent
- Resident’s management organisation
- Resident’s co-operative, or
- The council housing department
- These include charges for heating, hot water, and the use of a shed
- Your home and any land for which you pay rent
- Resident Management Organisation
- The person(s) to whom we have granted the tenancy
- Tenant Management Organisation
Parking Permits
Recycling & Rubbish
Wandsworth Borough Council (WBC) are responsible for collecting rubbish. Please visit WBC's website for more comprehensive information. You may also download an information sheet from the Co-op here.
The following is a summary of advice from WBC:
Household Rubbish
- Currently, rubbish is collected every Tuesday morning. Black bags must be placed in your allocated bin store area. Read more about how to bag your rubbish and what bags to use on the Wandsworth Borough Council website.
- If your rubbish has not been collected, please file a complaint with the council here.
Household Recycling & Garden Waste
- You can have up to five bags of compostable garden waste collected each week along with your other dustbin waste; this does not include Japanese Knotweed or any bulky garden waste items.
Just place your sacks of garden waste beside any dustbins or other waste sacks for collection and they will be collected at the same time. You do not have to use special garden waste sacks - any strong refuse sack is fine, so long as it is tied and isn't split. Read more from WBC here.
Alternatively, if you have a garden, you can compost your garden waste at home: - For further advice and information on composting, please use the links below:
- Garden Organic - Information on compostable materials
- Recycle Now - Information on how your composting helps the environment
- Royal Horticultural Society - Information for gardeners
Bulky Refuse Collection
- The council will collect small electrical items. Households also get two free bulky waste collections every 12 months. This is a rolling 12-month period that starts on the date your first free collection is made. You need to book. Please refer to the WBC's website for further details.
- Rubbish & recycling can also be taken to the nearby household waste recycling centre at Smugglers Way, London, SW18 1JS.
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm, Saturday 8am - 6pm and Sunday 8am - 5pm.
- Please refer to Wandsworth Council Website for further and up to date information
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Drains
Electricity
Internet, Phone & TV
Pets
Pest Control
Please ensure bin bags are tightly closed and placed in bins with lids on them. Spillages encourage mice and rats.
- Wandsworth council and the Co-op are responsible for mice in tenanted properties
- Leaseholders should arrange for treatment themselves.
- The council and Co-op are responsible for rats in communal areas and tenanted properties but not in leaseholder properties.
Please report incidents to the Co-op office. You can also visit Wandsworth Council's website for further information, including the cost of treatments.
Do not feed pigeons on the estate as it encourages other rodents and can have a negative impact on human health. Please see a video from the British Pest Control Association below for further information or read their press release here:
Please contact the Convent Co-operative office for information and advice on pest control.
Bicycles
Our History
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Previously, the site had been occupied by ‘The Orchards’, a gentleman’s residence with extensive gardens and parkland. The existing house was adapted and extended by the Society to accommodate both nuns and students. By the mid-1890s it had been much extended, and the training college also had a school attached. In 1904, the teacher training college students moved to St Charles Square, but the Convent continued to run both primary and secondary schools. The Convent buildings finally became a Home Economics annexe for students from the Society’s Digby Stuart College (now part of the University of Roehampton).
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Following subsequent building works, a large chapel was built during the 20th Century. The sisters also acquired a pair of houses in Santos Road (34-36), which were knocked together and used as a hostel for those at the college. There is still a doorway in the brick wall (now blocked up) that led from the Convent's grounds to the house’s garden.
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In 1975, the estate was sold to Wandsworth Borough Council for housing development, and the current housing estate was built by WBC in phases over a number of years from 1977. While the main Convent buildings were demolished to make way for the new development, St. Joseph’s school survived for some time, located on the site of the current Convent Co-Op Office and gated Milton Court development. It was later moved to its current site on Oakhill Road, on the northern extremity of the old Convent grounds (the remainder being sold for the gated Pembridge Place housing development). The houses in Santos Road were retained by the Sacred Heart as a much smaller convent and hostel, along with a handful of other local properties. The Santos properties were finally sold to a property developer in 2005-6 to be converted into flats.
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The Convent Co-operative was founded in 1984; its purpose to look after the residents’ interests and give them a stronger voice in running the estate. Over 30 years later, through the hard work of the Convent Co-Op office, committee members (past and present) and resident volunteers, that legacy continues.
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Putney Bridge Road
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The Library
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Map of the Estate
Flat & House Numbers
Who are we?
Our Convent Management Committee would like to introduce itself. If you haven't done so yet, please come and meet us at the General Meetings and the Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.). All co-op members may contribute to committee business, either formally by becoming a committee member or on an ad hoc basis. If you have the time and skills or even just some enthusiasm, we'd love to hear from you.
[row cols_nr="2"] [col size="8"] [/col] [col size="4"] [/col] [/row] [row cols_nr="2"] [col size="8"] I am Farrokh Hessamian and have lived on the estate since 2007 with my wife and son. We love the calm and green atmosphere of the estate. I became a member of the Management Committee to have a role in enhancing the quality of life. I believe our estate enjoys a unique position in developments going on in Wandsworth. [/col] [col size="4"]
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I’m Monica. I was the Chair for a while but am now the Secretary. I have lived on Ericcson Close since it was built and was the first family in. As you can probably tell, I love the estate. My children have all moved away now and I enjoy keeping busy with various committee responsibilities
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Hello – I’m Janet, and have lived on the Estate for 30 years, so have seen a lot of changes, the best ones seeing the kids growing up and enjoying a nice, safe place to live. I’ve done a stint as Secretary, and was Treasurer on the Committee for over twenty years! I am pleased to have handed that role on now. I enjoy travelling (when work allows!), going to the gym in an attempt to keep fit, and generally socialising!
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I’m Jane and have lived in a flat here since 1999. I love the trees and wildlife on the estate, am keen on the great outdoors, and tend to cycle and spend free time doing conservation work in Richmond Park and developing my art.
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I’m Lydia and have been actively involved in the community for some time, serving and giving a listening ear when needed. I love the cohesiveness, peace and support of our Co-op, and hope for this to continue well into the future. I am very hands-on, I care about this community and hope my contributions can help it to be a better place for all to live.
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Hi, I'm Nick. My family and I have lived on the estate since 1999. We have seen what the Co-op brings to the estate and I want to be part of protecting and continuing that.
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Hi, I'm Andrej and I joined the Co-op Management Committee because I believe in the ethos of co-op management. I'm happy to provide my skills and strengths to ensure we can keep managing our space and make improvements for all residents.
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Hello – I’m Sue. I joined the Committee because I believe it is important for us to remain a co-op. I want to help strengthen our systems, build links between residents, and develop and enhance strategies that will enable our estate to thrive. I recently took on the role of Treasurer and look forward to doing my bit after Janet's long tenure.
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Hi, I'm Karen. I moved to the estate in 2023 and am very happy to call it home. The community and the Cooperative were among the reasons I chose to live here. I'm interested in how good governance can help the Cooperative to run effectively and in the best interests of its members. I put myself forward as a Committee member because I wanted to do my bit.
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I’m Peter and recently moved to Ericcson Close, appealed by its uniqueness in both architectural style and leafy setting. I’m a keen gardener with a passion for the local environment and community. As a new Committee member I’m eager to contribute however I can to enhance this very special place in which we live.
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I’m Patrick. I have a keen interest in 70’s and 80’s architecture & design and the estate’s Co-Op status appealed to me. As a Committee member I aim to contribute to its continuing success and future development.
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I'm Gill, I recently rejoined the Management Committee after a long absence to focus on my job as a Registered Care Manager. Previously, I was Chair for over twenty years! I am really keen on putting the views of the residents at the heart of the Co-op’s mission-statement and activities
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Office Staff
[/col] [/row] [row cols_nr="2"] [col size="8"] Hi, I'm Lorraine. I have worked at Convent now for almost 25 years!!! During this time my hours have increased with a more demanding workload. I enjoy spending time with my family and have a passion for travelling the world! lorriane@conventcoop.org.uk [/col] [col size="4"]
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Hi, I'm Sarah-Jane and work part-time for the Co-op. In my other life, I am a photographer and artist and have lived in Wandsworth since moving to London in the mid-90s.
sarahjane@conventcoop.org.uk
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How to get involved?
2026 Meeting Schedule
| Date | Time | Description |
| Tuesday 13th January | 6.30pm | Management |
| Tuesday 24th February | 6.30pm | Management |
| Tuesday 10th March | 7.00pm | General |
| Tuesday 21nd April | 6.30pm | Management |
| Tuesday 5th May | 7.00pm | General |
| Tuesday 30th June | 6.30pm | Management |
| Tuesday 7th July | 7.00pm | AGM |
| Tuesday 22rd September | 6.30pm | Management |
| Tuesday 17th November | 6.30pm | Management |
| Tuesday 8th December | 7:00pm | General |
Gas
Photo Gallery
Convent Social Events
Notice Board: Suggestions and Recommendations
If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please post them on the notice board below. Perhaps you have an idea for a Co-op social event or would like to recommend a local service? Or you may want to ask the community for advice. Ask a question or share news here!
Please note: We may include information posted here in the quarterly newsletter.
Guidelines
To foster a positive and respectful environment, we kindly ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Be Respectful: Treat others, including local businesses you may be recommending, with kindness, courtesy, and respect. Avoid personal attacks, offensive language, or disrespectful behaviour.
- Stay on topic: Please limit comments to suggestions and recommendations, or requests for information about local services only. This is not the right arena for complaints. If you would like to make a formal complaint, please do so via the appropriate channels. You can visit the Complaints and Feedback page here.
- Avoid Spam: Refrain from posting repetitive or irrelevant content.
- Mindful Posting: Double-check your posts for accuracy, clarity, and appropriateness before submitting.
- There is no need to identify yourself on this board. Please be mindful of your online safety and do not share information you don't want the world to know. This is not a private forum.
Disclaimer for the Convent Co-operative Co-op Notice Board
By accessing recommendations provided by residents and other parties on this board, you acknowledge and agree that the Convent Co-operative and its staff or committee are not responsible for any actions, decisions, or outcomes. You are solely responsible for verifying the accuracy, safety, and legality of any information shared on the notice board. The Co-op and its affiliates disclaim all liability for any damages, losses, or disputes arising from following or implementing recommendations found here. Users are advised to exercise caution, conduct research, and seek professional advice when necessary.
Trees on the estate
The Tree Team at Wandsworth Council take care of the trees on our estate. They are routinely checked and trimmed according to a schedule. However, if a tree near you is causing concern, has been damaged or has caused damage, you can contact WBC directly.
Please report the issue to the Wandsworth Council Tree Team here.
Further information about trees in Wandsworth is available here.
History of the Co-operative Housing Movement
The Co-operative Housing Movement: A Brief History and What It Means Today
What Is a Housing Co-op?
Housing co-operatives are democratic organisations that provide homes on a not-for-profit basis. Members collectively manage their housing, with an emphasis on affordability, community, and local control. Unlike traditional tenures, such as straightforward private renting or council housing, co-ops are governed, to varying degrees, by the people who live in them. This ensures that decisions reflect the needs of residents, wherever feasible, not landlords.
The Roots of the Movement
The idea of people working together for mutual benefit has existed for centuries. Examples of co-operative practice can be found in 18th-century Greece, medieval guilds, and mutual aid societies across Europe and beyond.
The modern co-operative movement, however, is often traced to the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers, a group of working-class weavers and artisans in Lancashire. In 1844, they opened a co-operatively owned shop selling affordable food. What made them different was the development of a clear, democratic model, based on principles of shared ownership, transparency, and community control. These "Rochdale Principles" went on to shape co-operatives worldwide.
In the early 20th century, the co-partnership housing movement in Britain brought those principles into everyday housing. Residents helped shape estates, set rents, and participated in management practices still reflected in modern housing co-ops like ours
Source: Johnston Birchall, “The Hidden History of Co-operative Housing in Britain” (1991), Brunel University. This was written as part of an international project to explore co-operative housing across different countries and remains a valuable account of the UK’s co-operative housing history.
How Housing Co-ops Work Today
While co-operative housing has changed over time, the basic principle remains the same: residents play a direct role in how their homes are managed, to a greater or lesser degree depending on their type of co-op. There are many different co-op models in the UK, ranging from small self-managed groups to ones like ours that work in partnership with a local council.
At Convent Co-operative, we are what is known as a Tenant Managed Organisation (TMO) and a Residents Management Organisation (RMO). This means we manage many aspects of the estate ourselves, on behalf of Wandsworth Council, under a formal agreement. We do not own the estate – we manage it. This includes things like maintenance, cleaning contracts, communal repairs, tenancy liaison, and some aspects of estate planning. The arrangement gives residents more control than on a standard council-owned estate.
- Shareholders – Residents who choose to become members of the Co-op. Shareholders can vote at General Meetings and drive developments, such as initiating a consultancy for potential major works.
- A Management Committee – Elected shareholders who meet regularly to oversee operations, work with staff, contractors and the council, and help guide policy and planning.
This structure allows residents to remain democratic, make decisions locally, and manage their homes and estates to a high standard, reflecting the priorities of the people who live here, not external landlords. As with most things in life, there are benefits and costs to such an arrangement. For now, Convent residents have overwhelmingly decided that the benefits outweigh any perceived costs. Every five years, residents are offered an opportunity to vote on whether or not to remain a Co-op and in the 2024 ballot, 98% of those who voted chose to remain a Co-op. In addition, the decision to continue as a Co-op must be voted on each year at an AGM.
🟡 Note: Shareholding is open to most residents – council tenants, leaseholders, and freeholders. In our co-op, private tenants are not able to become shareholders at this time, but are very welcome to attend meetings and other events.
Being a shareholder helps ensure your voice is heard in how your housing is run.
What’s the Difference Between a Shareholder and a Committee Member?
Shareholders
Becoming a shareholder is the simplest and most effective way to take part. Shareholders:
- Can vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and any other general meetings.
- Count toward the quorum (minimum attendance needed to make decisions official).
- Help shape the future of the co-op by voting on policies, committee elections, and other important matters.
You don’t need to join a committee once you have become a shareholder, though we always welcome ideas and questions from members. We currently have roughly a hundred shareholders.
Not a shareholder yet? We encourage you to consider signing up. It helps strengthen the co-op and ensures your voice is heard. Shares cost £1 per person. New shareholders receive a share certificate and a handbook after joining.
Committee Members
Our Management Committee is made up of up to 15 shareholders (currently 13), elected by the membership. Committee members take on a slightly bigger role in helping run the co-op. This includes:
- Attending at least six management meetings a year.
- Reading reports and reviewing documents.
- Helping make decisions about repairs, maintenance, budgeting, and in partnership with Council representatives, consider aspects of major works and cyclical decoration plans.
- Occasionally, attend training to better understand housing regulations or governance.
There are also sub-committees that deal with maintenance, staffing or finance. Sub-committees meet less often than the management committee. You can volunteer to be in one or either, or all if you're especially keen. If you’re interested in joining a committee, please speak to us; we’re happy to explain what’s involved and answer any questions.
Why This Matters
Co-operative housing offers something different. It’s not just about having a home; it’s about having a say. Whether you're a shareholder or on the committee, you’re part of a tradition that values fairness, democracy, and community. As is often the case with co-op's, our leaseholder/freeholder service charges tend to be comparatively lower than the average for the borough.
Housing co-ops everywhere are different as they are driven by the people who live and work within each organisation. There are several co-ops in the borough of Wandsworth, each with its own character. Within certain parameters set by the council, all those co-ops have a level of autonomy around how they manage themselves. Decisions might be affected by location, demographics and size. As you can see below, our co-op is relatively small, which means the Estate Manager, Lorriane, knows pretty much everyone who lives on and/or owns a property here.
The above graph shows how Convent Co-operative, with 34 tenanted properties and 61 leaseholders, compares to other co-operatives in the borough.
The graphic below drills down into the make up of our Co-op and also includes 15 freehold properties.
Our co-op exists to serve residents. This is your home, and your involvement, big or small, helps keep it working for everyone.
To learn more about co-operative housing in the UK, visit:
Emergency Maintenance Numbers
Outside office hours — FOR MAINTENANCE EMERGENCIES ONLY — contact WBC Patrol on 020 8871 7490.
For hot water and heating repairs, contact T Brown directly on 0800 977 8472 / 0208 394 1166 (WBC tenants only).
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For non-emergency maintenance or estate issues, please call 020 8874 6856 or email info@conventcoop.org.uk.