A Guide to Living in Durham

Please review your development:

The house was nice however given there were only 3 internal doors and the current cost of living crisis it cost a fortune to heat and that was before the huge increase in energy prices. The communal areas were lovely before the constant vandalism. CCTV camera were present but apparently useless because they could not access them 🤦

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

That the area the green was in was one of the most deprived areas in the country with high crime and although the houses were nice the rent demanded in the area is unrealistic

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

Ignored most of them. When we had a lifting floor for 18 months they sent people out to “look at it” on 5 occasions but still never fixed it. (They have now we have moved out) we are friends with the neighbour and within 2 weeks of us leaving it was fixed

Please review your development:

The design of the house interior is nice to the eye. But unfortunately there are a lot issues with the build quality, with cubords falling off, plaster falling off of walls, locks not working on back door or gate and pipes leaking.

Space in rooms is a little small, bathroom is good but the windows are still see through.
Management of the properties are excellent, all staff are friendly and kind and super helpful.

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

Bathroom windows are see through to neighbours. It’s always either super warm or super cold. The boiler falters regularly.
There are rats in the alleys.

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

The building management have acted upon any issues brought up fast and effectively, unfortunately many issues with the building is down to the initial build.

Please review your development:

The house itself is really nice and has a lovely design however, for the price of the property I don’t see the maintenance side as good as it should be at all. I am still waiting for a new tap to be put in my bathroom and every time I call to chase it up, I am advised I will receive a call and it never happens. The lack of storage is a bit of a problem too seeing as though we are unable to use the loft space.

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

I wish I knew how awful and disgusting the backing neighbours were and I wish I knew how poorly managed the maintenance of the properties were.

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

When I first raised the issue about the leaking tap(at least 6 month ago), they were brilliant and responded quick. However, when it came down to coming out to replace the tap, the maintenance company called to say they had to reschedule and since then I have had no correspondence from them despite chasing the issue multiple times.

Please review your development:

My home is very spacious and caters to all my needs as a single person. Would reccomend to anyone.
I have everything I need here and it caters very well to my work-from-home lifestyle as I have easy access to the town centre and to many additional services.

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

I wish I had known about the lack of a loft space prior to moving in but it isn’t a huge issue for me as space is abundant.

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

All my problems have been addressed straight away through direct contact with the letting agents.