A Guide to Living in County Durham

Please review your development:

Development is excellent. Standard of housing is superb, after snags have been sorted we have had no issues with the build. Definitely buy from Avant Homes again, I would also recommend them if buying a new build. We did have a small issue with our garden been extended which is explained below.

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

Nothing – we love our home, only disappointment with is all is the garden issue mentioned above.

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

Initial snags, perfectly. The garden turf issue – they just ignore us (contractors not Avant Homes). Going to speak to Citizens Advice probably as this has gone on for months.

Please review your development:

The estate is generally nice to look at, nice design layouts inside the properties. External gardners take care of the public open spaces to an OK standard but nothing special. Roads and paths still not completed, despite the development having been finished almost 2 years ago. Iron works being raised and apparently left. Lots of damage being done to car tyres as a result.

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

Not to expect roads and pavements to be completed with any urgency.

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

Mostly completed in a timely fashion but still dealing with issues from 18 months ago

Parking availability on the street is good, bin collections are regular

Please review your development:

The kitchen of the 2 bedroom homes are limited on storage space, but the rest of the home is an adequate size for a first time buyer. Management is lacking, a street light on my street has been broken for 2 years and no one has fixed it despite contacting multiple times.

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

The lack of storage space in new builds can be limiting.

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

When first moving in they were great to respond to any fixes we needed

Please review your development:

The property itself is well built and I’ve had no issues. The plot and location is perfect. Whilst work has remained onsite over the years, it has been very low key and non disruptive to residents. The area could do with a small local pub and shop in my opinion.

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

That the shared driveway would be so tight. It is meant to fit 4 cars, however, the cars must park on a angle to each other to be able tto open the doors of both cars. Therefore you can not park 4 there together.

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

In a timely fashion and with professionalism and very friendly.