A guide to living in Newcastle

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

It’s always clean and never had any problems. If anything needs fixed it does straight away! I just wish there was a shop close

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

Promptly and swiftly. Had an issue with the dishwasher and washing machine and was sorted the next day

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

I wish I knew how cold it gets in the winter in these flats and how hot in the summer!

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

the area is fine. Lots of bars and restaurants. Close to the river although up quite a steep bank. The building is aging badly and I think it’s Y&Ys headache up north that they would rather ignore.

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

I suppose I didn’t notice how worn the building was until I moved in and as there are signs everywhere saying there was cctv I had no reason to assume there wasn’t any. Until parcels started going missing as the door is often left open in main entry - janitor said there is no cctv and the building no manager has been telling me he’s getting quotes now since at least July. I’ve lived here 3 years and the windows have been cleaned once. The water is also never hot enough to get a full really hot bath. I also rented through an agency and they let themselves into my property the first week of my tenancy while I was in bed asleep for an inspection that had not been booked in apparently it had been booked in for the previous tenant and a glitch had made it not cancelled out of their system while I know that is not the building’s fault. ( Living spaces )

What is the best feature of your home:

I do love the huge window in the bedroom - however I only have a tiny window in living room so really would prefer if it was the other way around and not an issue.

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

Great central location, no free parking but carpark opposite (a little pricey), council tax expensive

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

Building management itself at Forge is friendly and good just Grainger is run quite badly as a company, hard to get hold of anyone about renewals or contract problems, viewings are a nightmare to book and get any response. Very pushy for money

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

Can't think of much, maybe go to the resident's events?

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

The building is located in a fantastic location. it is right next to the Metro station, a major bus interchange, supermarkets, and the High Street It is a quiet, safe and friendly neighbourhood.

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

The management team (in particular, James) are friendly, responsive and helpful. Issues are quickly fixed, and to a high standard!

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

The main insight that can’t be gleaned from a viewing is that this building is well-maintained, with issues being quickly addressed. Having a professional landlord means the renting experience is overall excellent.

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

This development is close to Newcastle city centre and very close to the local metro station. There is a local Asda 5 minutes walk away which is ideal! Parking is great as we have two off-street spaces. There is a lot of noise on the estate due to it still being under construction which does leave you car constantly dirty! There always seems to be police on the estate (woken up at 2am once by police as cars keep getting broken into) and a letter was received from the local community policing team advising of high anti social behaviour in the area. I wouldn’t exactly say I felt safe here but haven’t personally had anything happen. The house is fairly small downstairs and the walls are very thin - we can hear next door quite a lot. We’ve had major issues with the strange heating system that is installed in this development - still not resolved and had engineers out 8 times between January and March - no compensation received from Simple Life even though we had no heating on each occasion. This issue isn’t currently affecting us as it’s summer but I can foresee it happening again.

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

Yes but not in a timely manner. Still have ongoing issues.

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

Area has a high rate of anti social behaviour which leaves tenants feeling unsafe.