Ownership > FAQs
» WHAT IS GROUP OWNERSHIP AT HOPE BARTON?
» WHAT IS THE LEGAL SITUATION
» WHO OWNS THE FREEHOLD?
» WHAT IS THE OWNERS ASSOCIATION?
» WHAT DOES THE MANAGER DO?
» WHAT ARE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS?
» CAN I LET MY COTTAGE?
» IS ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE?
» HOW DOES THE MAINTENANCE PERIOD WORK?
» WHAT IS THE COST?
» IS THERE A SERVICE CHARGE?
» CAN I SELL MY MEMBERSHIP?
» ARE MY WEEKS ELIGIBLE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE?
» HOW DO I CHOOSE MY FIVE WEEKS?
WHAT IS GROUP OWNERSHIP AT HOPE BARTON?
This is a new form of ownership whereby each cottage is divided into 10 ownerships of 5 weeks. The weeks are in different seasons and can change yearly. Two of the weeks are in high season, one is mid season and the other two are in the remainder of the year. Using a simple priority system that is fully explained later, owners choose their weeks each year along with the other nine owners, according to their requirements. This means that each owner is treated fairly and can vary the times that they choose their weeks as their circumstances change. Many owners have purchased more that one membership to match their individual needs. Ownership also includes the whole farm, stock, equipment, the leisure facilities, offices and manager’s accommodation.
A 125 year leasehold interest in each cottage is owned by a separate Company Limited by Guarantee, which has up to ten members. This is the legal vehicle often used by charities, clubs and non-profit making organisations and has been devised and implemented by one of the leading experts in the field.
The Freehold of Hope Barton, including the farmland, farm buildings, leisure buildings and the rights of the 125 year lease to the Cottage Companies is held by Hope Barton Owners Association Ltd. As a result the owners can grant themselves a new lease at the expiration of the existing 125 year lease in July 2115 or alternatively sell the property with full vacant possession and share the proceeds.
WHAT IS THE OWNERS ASSOCIATION?
Owners are automatically members of the Owners Association which is run for the mutual well-being and benefit of owners. There is a Board of Directors elected by and from the Owners who control the management and maintenance in conjunction with the Manager. This means that the owners run Hope Barton as they wish without outside interference and any profits from activities are returned to the resort to help towards the running costs.
The Manager, who is appointed by and accountable to the Owners association, organises all the day to day management and maintenance. He is responsible for producing an income from the various activities and help towards the running costs. He keeps the accounts which the Directors can inspect at any time and which are audited by a firm of chartered accountants annually. At present the "Manager" is a management couple who are resident on site and responsibilities are shared accordingly.
WHAT ARE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS?
Only essential rules apply. There is a "nuisance" clause which is not specific. Common sense dictates
Yes. This can be done privately or through the Manager. If the Manager arranges a let for the Owner, then he will make a charge on behalf of the Owners Association which goes towards the running costs. There is a recommended tariff rate each year, though an Owner can let at any figure he wishes through the Manager or privately. Letting possibilities are very good as the location and indoor facilities make Hope Barton attractive all year round. A mailing list in excess of 4,000 names is on the database and receive full details every year.
IS ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE?
Yes. There is a suite comprising of a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room owned by the Owners Association and available to owners for their extra guests. The rental income from this goes towards the running costs. Alternatively owners may rent into another cottage if one is available.
HOW DOES THE MAINTENANCE PERIOD WORK?
The primary maintenance period during which essential major annual maintenance is undertaken is between January and March. Each cottage is closed for maintenance for one week sometime during this period. Major works are agreed with the Owners Association Directors in advance.
This will obviously depend on the type and size of the cottage. There are studio, one, two, three and four bedroom cottages. Prices and availability are on a separate sheet in this information pack.
Yes. This is based on the cost of maintaining the facilities and providing for future expenditure, less the income generated from activities run on behalf of the Owner Association, such as catering and commissions from rentals and re-sales.
Yes. This can be done privately or through the Manager, who will maintain a list of interested prospective purchasers. Should the Manager agree a sale on your behalf, then there will be a fee payable to the Owners Association which goes towards the running costs.
ARE MY WEEKS ELIGIBLE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE?
Hope Barton Barns is a member of RCI (Resort Condominiums International) the largest exchange company in the world. Owners pay an annual fee to RCI and any or all of their five weeks can be exchanged for similar accommodation in any of 2500 plus resorts in more than 60 countries throughout the world,
The RCI system sometimes allows the exchange of one week at Hope Baron for two weeks in the USA, Mexico and South Africa at certain times of the year. Therefore, a week at Hope Barton could become two weeks if exchanged in that way.
Hope Barton is a Gold Crown Resort which puts it in the top 10% of RCI’s 25000 worldwide locations. This award is only given by RCI as a result of consistently high performance marks sent to them by RCI members from other resorts who have stayed at Hope Barton. It means standards at Gold Crown resorts have to remain very high at all times.
HOW DO I CHOOSE MY FIVE WEEKS?
This is a fair and simple system of rotating priorities over a repeated 10 year period.
The five weeks are divided into:-
A high season fortnight (H)
A mid season week (M)
Two other weeks (L)
The ten high season fortnights (H) are Easter (1) Christmas (1) mid May to the end of August (8)
The ten mid season weeks (M) are in early May, September and October.
For complete fairness the high season fortnight has been given one priority and the other three weeks have been given a separate one, so that if an owner has a low priority for selecting his high season fortnight, then he will have a higher priority for selecting the other three weeks. This policy also applies to the yearly priorities as well. The first number is for the high season fortnight and the second is for the other three weeks. Every year the total of high and low season priorities added together equals eleven, therefore ensuring fairness every year and an even distribution of the 10 year rotating matrix.
Owners take on the share number of the share that they purchase, which gives their respective priorities from year to year as shown in the following matrix:
| Share No |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
05 |
06 |
07 |
08 |
09 |
10 |
| High/ Low |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
H/L |
| 2000 | 1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
| 2001 | 10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
| 2002 | 5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
| 2003 | 6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
| 2004 | 3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
| 2005 | 8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
| 2006 | 2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
| 2007 | 9/2 |
4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
| 2008 | 4/7 |
7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
| 2009 | 7/4 |
1/10 |
10/1 |
5/6 |
6/5 |
3/8 |
8/3 |
2/9 |
9/2 |
4/7 |
For examples you can see from the matrix Owner 03 in each cottage has number 6 as their high season priority for 2001 This means they must submit six choices of fortnights in order of preference and at worst they will be allocated their sixth choice. However, experience shows that even up to priority seven, owners stand a very good chance of getting their first or second choice. This is because everyone has different ideas about when they want to be at Hope Barton and it is extremely unlikely that any two owners will select the same fortnights in the same priority order. For example, the owner with priority one simply selects the fortnight he wants. The owner with priority two will give two fortnights, but will get his first choice, unless the owner with priority one has already taken it, which is unlikely and so on.