A guide to living in Birmingham

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I want to start by saying that my first year here was genuinely one of the best living experiences I’ve had. There was a real sense of community, the building’s first anniversary celebration, New Year’s gatherings, neighbours who felt like family. I still look back at photos from that time with a smile. Sadly, that Cortland no longer exists. The building has gradually shifted to student accommodation, and with that shift came a noticeable drop in how residents are treated. The atmosphere in communal spaces has become unwelcoming. Practical issues that have built up over time: 1. The bin room is in a genuinely shocking state. I stepped in today and the level of dirt was such that I was genuinely concerned for my health. 2. There is persistent, strong odour in the lifts and corridors , no ventilation, no resolution. 3. The communal rooms look impressive but are largely unusable. There isn’t a single glass available anywhere in the building, residents have to walk back to their own flat just to get a drink of water. The coffee machine has also been removed. 4. Monthly residents’ meetings are scheduled at times when almost nobody can attend, and have been cancelled on several occasions. The reception situation deserves special mention and to be clear, this is not a criticism of the staff. The reception team are doing their best in an impossible situation. Staffing has been cut significantly most of the time there is nobody at the desk, and at best one person trying to manage everything at once. You can see the exhaustion and low morale on their faces. The warm, genuine smiles that used to greet you are gone and I don’t blame the staff, I blame the system they’ve been put in. The clearest example of how serious this has become: a couple of weeks ago, an ambulance arrived at reception looking for a resident. There was nobody at the desk. I happened to be passing on my way to the gym and personally walked the paramedics to the resident’s apartment, because there was simply no one else and a life was potentially at risk. I later found out the sole reception staff member had been taken off the desk to show an apartment because the leasing team no longer exists and reception is now expected to cover that role as well. This is a structural failure by management, and it has real safety consequences.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Residents’ meetings which are the main channel for raising issues — have been cancelled on several occasions and are consistently scheduled at times when most residents cannot attend. Beyond that, there is little evidence of issues being acknowledged or acted upon. The problems I have described (bin room hygiene, smells, understaffing at reception) are ongoing and unresolved.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had known how much the building would change. When I first moved in, it felt like a genuine community, well-managed, welcoming, and full of life. That is not what it is today. The communal spaces look impressive, but in practice there is nothing available to use. It wasn't always like this there used to be pots, cutlery, and kitchen equipment available. Now you'd be lucky to find a handful of items. Among residents, the general feeling is that management is cutting costs wherever possible, which would explain why even the most basic amenities have quietly disappeared.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Great location with very easy transport links. Easily walkable to the Bullring, mailbox, etc. Beautiful park right across the road and a supermarket nearby too.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes. When I moved in the door lock needed to be repaired. It was done in less than 20 minutes.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Don’t try and get an uber when the crowds are leaving the stadium. Traffic is chaos, but it only lasts for about an hour.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Ideal location to live in, great accessibility to train station, tram and buses. Lovely pubs around the area. 10 mins walk to Edgbaston Reservoir which is a great place for a evening jog. Major supermarkets are close by.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Almost instantly, very professional and prompt in sorting out issues.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

None, everything is as good as I was explained before moving in. But the parking lot cleanliness is something which I never thought would be such a mess.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location is great. Close to multiple parks and well connected with direct links to the railway station. The maintenance is meticulous and any issue is promptly and quickly taken care of by the management and staff. They are also working on multiple activities throughout the year. The only issue is with the security of the bike parking lot, which I believe is being looked into.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes. Regarding change in mattresses and any issue with the appliances or minor electric repairs

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I was expecting a 6 month minimum contract break clause, which wasn't part of the agreement. Would be nice as it adds to the flexibility of unexpected move outs

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The location of the octagon gives excellent access to transport links, bars, reatraunts and shops within less than a 5 minute walk. I am unaware of any antisocial behaviour within or around the octagon as all residents appear to be reapectful. Sometimes there is traffic noise from police sirens paticularly at night, however this is expected from a big city.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

During my first few days of moving in, I struggled to set up the wifi and in addition have locked myself out of my apartment a few times and staff have immedietly helped me and continued to show kindness. Since moving in, everyone has made me feel welcome, asking if I need any help with anything and are always there to chat to. Anytime I have any questions, staff are there to talk it through with me and help as soon as possible.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Nothing! Everything has been very positive and I am thoroughly enjoying the events and social aspects the octagon offers! I hope to attend more in the future.