Property
Last update: May 2025
Summary of Properties:
As of the end of 2024, the Sabha holds legal title to the following properties, which are registered in the names of appointed property holding trustees:
Guru Nanak Road Gurdwara
2–8 Park Avenue Gurdwara
10 Park Avenue – Houses Giani Ditt Singh Hall and Car Park Area
The Green – Land
Norwood Hall – Includes Land and Khalsa Primary School
11 Beaconsfield Road – Residential accommodation.
29, 41, 43, 45, 53A, 53B, 55, 63 Hammond Road – A portfolio of residential homes, used to house staff, guests, or generate rental income to support charity work.
These properties are held in trust for the charity and cannot be sold, mortgaged, or otherwise dealt with except under the lawful direction of the Executive Committee and the General Body, as per the Sabha’s constitution and UK charity law.
FAQ on Governance and Property Holding:
1. How is Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall managed?
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall is an unincorporated charity, registered with the Charity Commission (Registration No. 280707).
It is governed by a constitution, which outlines the structure, responsibilities, and processes of the Sabha.
The day-to-day affairs of the charity are managed by an elected Executive Committee, comprising 21 managing trustees. These trustees are elected by the General Body every three years.
2. What is a property holding trustee?
Property holding trustees are individuals who hold legal title to the Sabha’s assets — including its Gurdwaras, houses, and Norwood Hall — on behalf of the charity.
They do not control, use, or benefit from these properties personally.
Their role is to safeguard the charity’s assets in trust and act only under the lawful instructions of the Executive Committee and the General Body.
3. What is the difference between managing trustees and property holding trustees?
Role | Managing Trustees (Executive Committee) | Property Holding Trustees |
Function | Day-to-day management and operations of the Sabha | Hold legal title to the Sabha's property |
Decision-making power | Full authority over charity activities (within constitution and the Law) | No independent authority — act under instruction |
Appointment | Elected every 3 years by members | Appointed by General Body |
4. How are property holding trustees appointed?
Historically, the founding members who helped establish the Sabha and acquire its properties in the 1950's and 60's were made the first holding trustees. Over time, as these individuals passed away, the General Body appointed new holding trustees — respected individuals who had a strong record of service to the Sabha.
Appointments are made with the approval of the General Body, following due process outlined in the Sabha’s constitution.
5. Why were 11 new holding trustees appointed in 2024?
Over the decades, many of the original holding trustees had passed away. By early 2024, only one holding trustee remained alive. As a result, several property titles were still legally registered in the names of individuals who had passed away — in some cases, many years ago.
Failing to update property titles for a charity can lead to various issues, including practical difficulties when dealing with the property, potential third-party claims, and even property fraud. Specifically, out-of-date titles can hinder transactions if trustees have passed away. Additionally, it can expose the charity to adverse possession claims or make it harder to prove ownership in the event of a dispute.
To correct this and ensure proper legal stewardship of the Sabha’s properties, the Executive Committee initiated the formal process — in accordance with the Sabha's constitution and with the approval of the General Body — to appoint 11 new property holding trustees. This resulted in 12 new property holding trustees.
6. Who are the 12 Property Holding Trustees?
There was only 1 holding trustee prior to the 2024 appointment.
The 11 trustees appointed in 2024 include:
• 4 former presidents
• A former General Secretary of the Sabha
• 3 younger professionals, including 2 chartered surveyors
These individuals represent a wide spectrum of the Sabha’s membership. They have set aside any past affiliations and have committed to working together under one Nishan Sahib, in the best interests of the Sabha to serve the Sangat and the members.
7. Do the holding trustees own the Gurdwara?
No.
Holding trustees do not own any part of the Gurdwara or its assets. They hold title on behalf of the charity, and only as custodians. They hold legal title to the charity's property, but they cannot use, sell, or make decisions about it. You are simply safeguarding it on behalf of the charity.
8. Can holding trustees sell or raise loans against Sabha properties?
No.
Holding trustees cannot sell, mortgage, or otherwise deal with the property on their own.
They may only act under the authority of the Executive Committee and General Body as per the constitution.
9. Where can I read about the powers of holding trustees?
Please refer to the Sabha constitution and the Charity Commission guidance on unincorporated charities and trustee duties.
10. Are all the Sabha’s properties now in the names of the 12 holding trustees?
Yes.
As of the end of 2024, each of the Sabha’s properties is now correctly registered at HM Land Registry in the names of the newly appointed holding trustees.
Due to UK legal limits, a maximum of four individuals can be listed on any single property title.
"The rule limiting the number of legal owners of land to four in England and Wales is set out in the Law of Property Act 1925'
Therefore, a different combination of four out of the 12 appointed holding trustees has been used on each property.
11. Why can’t all 12 holding trustees be listed on the title of each property?
Under Land Registry rules in England and Wales, only a maximum of four individuals can be registered on the title of any one property:
'The rule limiting the number of legal owners of land to four in England and Wales is set out in the Law of Property Act 1925'
This is a legal limit that applies to all property ownership — including charities.
As a result, for each Sabha property, a different combination of four holding trustees has been assigned to ensure compliance.
12. Is having holding trustees normal / best practice?
Yes.
This governance structure is standard for unincorporated charities across the UK, including nearly all Gurdwaras.
Such charities typically appoint property holding trustees to hold legal title to assets, while managing trustees (like the Executive Committee) are responsible for the charity’s day-to-day affairs.
This model ensures that the charity’s properties are legally protected while operational decisions remain in the hands of the elected leadership and the General Body.
13. How can I check that the Gurdwara properties are in the names of the new holding trustees?
You can verify this directly by downloading the official title deeds from HM Land Registry for each property owned by Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall.
Enter the address of any Sabha-owned property to view or purchase a copy of the title register, which will list the the holding trustees;
List of Sabha Properties:
1) Guru Nanak Road Gurdwara
2) 2-8 Park Avenue Gurdwara
3) 10 Park Avenue
4) The Green
5) Norwood Hall
6) Residential Properties
7) 11 Beaconsfield Road
8) 29, 41, 43, 45, 53A, 53B, 55, 63 Hammond Road
14. Where can I learn more about property holding trustees?
To gain a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of property holding trustees, you can refer to the Charity Commission’s official guidance:
This resource outlines key responsibilities and legal obligations, especially relevant for unincorporated charities like Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall.
15. Can I see an example of the title deeds for the Gurdwaras?
Yes.
Anyone can obtain full copies of the title deeds for Sabha properties directly from the HM Land Registry website.
Below is an example taken from the title register of Guru Nanak Road Gurdwara, as it appeared before the appointment of new property holding trustees in 2024.
At that time, the property was still legally registered in the names of former trustees, all of whom had sadly passed away:
Gurbachan Singh Gill – passed away on 09/12/2009
Surjit Singh Bilga – passed away on 24/06/2018
Avtar Singh Sewak – passed away (date unknown)
Balwant Singh Gill – passed away on 22/02/2023
This highlights why it was necessary to update the legal titles.
The relevant section of the title document is shown below for reference:
Old Title Example:
Extract from New Title:
Extract from New Title of 2-8 Park Avenue:
Extract from New Title of 43 Hammond Road:
Extract from New Title of 53 Hammond Road:
