A guide to living in Borough of Havering

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

I've lived here for a year and I'd say the local area is average overall. The location is quite good and most things are convenient. There aren't any restaurants right nearby, but there are some in the surrounding areas. Parking isn't great and isn't very well managed. It is a nice little place to live, though, and I do like how everything is quite convenient without ever feeling busy.

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

They do respond to issues, but they take a while and some things remain unresolved. They don't repair things in the communal areas or keep the grounds trimmed and looking nice, which can attract pests and wildlife. It's a shame because if they put more into maintenance, this would be an amazing place to live.

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

I wish I'd known that what I saw when I viewed the place was how it would stay, rather than things that would be fixed. I assumed the broken lift, boarded-up door and missing mirror were being dealt with, but they weren't. It just seems like they don't really care about their current tenants, the buildings or the grounds. It's quite unpleasant seeing pests in the bin rooms and the gardens being left unmanaged. If they were looked after, I could imagine wanting to use them and enjoying the extra amenities, but as they are, I don't.

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

The local area has a reasonable range of shops and supermarkets for everyday essentials, with restaurants and takeaways offering a decent choice of food. There are some open spaces nearby, which are good for walking and getting fresh air. Transport links are generally convenient, with access to buses and nearby train stations, although services can be busy at peak times and delays can sometimes be an issue. Parking can be difficult at times, particularly in the evenings when more residents are home. Bin collections are generally manageable, although keeping communal areas clean is important. Traffic can be noisy during busier periods, but overall the area is a convenient place to live, with room for improvement in parking, cleanliness and the maintenance of shared spaces.

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

Building management has been professional and helpful when dealing with any concerns. Communication has been positive, and I appreciate their efforts to maintain the development and provide a pleasant living environment for residents.

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

Before moving in, I wish I had known more about the day-to-day benefits of living in the development, including the convenience of the location, access to local amenities and the overall living environment. I would recommend that new residents take the time to explore the surrounding area, get familiar with the local shops and transport links, and introduce themselves to their neighbours. Overall, it is a great place to live, and getting settled in makes the experience even better.

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

Rainham is a very good place to live in with access to good schools and shops, I have been living in the area for almost five years

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

It takes a bit of time, but eventually they get to it

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

That parking was not free and they kept increasing the money every six months

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

The shops and transportation in general are good. The building should look into better ways to encourage proper recycling for residents. It seems like a waste of time recycling because the bins collection system downstairs are never adhered to. Also people stealing posts shouldn’t be happening when we have cameras in the reception area.

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

I struggle when I have problems because I don’t have an emergency contact. I have a number I can call but only when they’re working so no access when they’re on holiday or after working hours. This is very frustrating. There has been multiple Issues with no hot water in the flat or my smoke alarm beeping for days/months due to a faulty system. During these times, there was no one to complain to or take the matter urgently. This is not good especially for the amount we pay to live here. Our issues should be treated efficiently and timely.

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

I would have loved to have an idea of the bills because they ended up being more than I budgeted for. I understand that this was not possible because I am the first resident of the property, but an idea or a range would have helped.

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

I don’t have a problem with the building really. It is the management/administration. The property is on the main road and is about 20 minutes walk to the bigger grocery stores, either way.

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

They never respond or are really late when they do.

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

If I had taken the Google reviews seriously, I won’t be a tenant at that property.