A guide to living in Borough of Newham

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

The local area is very convenient, with a good range of shops, supermarkets such as Lidl, Morrisons, Tian Tian, restaurants, Cafes such as Starbucks, Pret, McDonald’s and everyday services within easy reach. Transport links are a major advantage, making it straightforward to travel to work and other parts of London using the Jubilee line or DLR. There is also a communal garden in the building to take a stroll or for some fresh air with seating and fountains. We also have access to the Fizzy E16 building with its rooftop garden, gym with various classes and events advertised every couple of weeks, space for activities with board games, snooker, air hockey & a quiet work space. Overall, the area is pleasant and practical.

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

Building management has been quick, helpful and professional whenever I have raised an issue. They communicate clearly, respond promptly and make a genuine effort to resolve problems efficiently.

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

It would have been reassuring to know beforehand that the management team handles issues so well. They are approachable and responsive, which makes a noticeable difference to the overall experience of living in the development.

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

Range and quality of shops is excellent as there’s lots to access nearby at every price range. I’ve explored restaurants, bars, and all the parks in the area and have found some real gems including Palooza, my new fave nail salon, and lovely parks that I run to. Transport is very convenient with the tube and DLR station just minutes away. The east side of the street is a bit rougher than the west, which feels more gentrified. Although I don’t feel too unsafe walking at night.

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

Management have always responded quickly to us and in full detail. However, we’ve run into issues where they try go against what was written and communicated in our rental contract, and also contradictory to what members of staff had explained to us. Specifically, we were told we would be receiving a discount for the scaffolding on the building and had included this in the contract, but management had insisted that we shouldn’t be getting the discount at all. This was stressful and quite unprofessional especially as we had several written forms of communication to support our side.

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

Although I appreciate having access to the common areas like the gym and work spaces in Fizzy E16, it’s quite inconvenient that Fizzy Canning Town residents aren’t able to access the building or floor without getting a fob from the concierge. It makes me feels like I don’t have the same rights to the shared spaces even though I should. Several times I have gone to the building and have to wait for the concierge to let me into the front door to then ask for the key. The shared spaces are lovely and very well maintained, but I would like access to be easir.

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

Canning Town is a very convenient place to live, especially for commuters. The Jubilee Line and DLR provide quick access to Canary Wharf, Stratford, London Bridge and Central London. There are plenty of supermarkets, local shops, restaurants and takeaways within walking distance, and the area continues to improve with new developments. There are also nearby parks and riverside walks. On the downside, traffic can be busy during peak hours, and there can be some noise from the main roads and construction work. Parking is limited, but public transport is excellent.

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

The management team has been polite and usually acknowledges reported issues. Minor maintenance requests are generally handled within a reasonable time. However, some ongoing concerns, such as the lack of ventilation in the corridors and the strong odour from the bin area spreading into the lifts and parking area, have not been fully resolved. These issues would benefit from a more permanent solution.

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

I wish I had known that the corridors have limited ventilation and can feel quite stuffy at times. I also didn't expect the bin area to have such a strong smell, which sometimes reaches the lift lobby and parking area. Apart from that, the location is excellent, with fantastic transport links and easy access to shops and other amenities, making it a convenient place to live.

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

Excellent transport links within a short walk, including buses, the Underground, and the DLR. Parking is available in the building. There are many shops, bars, and restaurants on the high street. It can be a little noisy at times if the windows are open. Essential services are nearby, including a dental practice, pharmacy, dry cleaner, and gym. Supermarkets such as Morrisons, Lidl, and Iceland are all within easy reach. There are also plenty of takeaway options, including McDonald's, KFC, and Domino's, as well as many independent local shops selling international food. The only thing missing is a large park nearby.

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

The building management has always responded quickly and professionally to any issues I have raised. The maintenance team is friendly, efficient, and keeps me updated throughout the process. Any repairs have been completed promptly, and reporting issues is simple and straightforward.

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

I wish I had known how convenient the location is, with excellent transport links, shops, supermarkets, and other essential services all nearby. I was also pleasantly surprised by how responsive and helpful the maintenance team is and by the community events organised for residents. My only tip for new neighbours is that the high street can be a little noisy if you keep the windows open, especially during busy periods, but overall it's a comfortable and well-managed place to live.

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

The local area is very convenient for transport, with Canning Town station just five minutes' walk away, offering both Jubilee line and DLR services. However, the social side is a bit limited, with few traditional pubs, restaurants or cafes nearby. The main drawback is a homeless hostel right across the street, which attracts a fair amount of unruly behaviour and characters out on the street at odd hours. Because of this, the street ahead can feel a bit dodgy in the evenings, so I would think twice about walking dogs or being out with kids late at night. On the plus side, grocery shopping is well catered for, with Morrisons, Lidl and a Co op all close by, along with a couple of gyms nearby. Overall, we have lived here for almost two years and it has been a fairly decent experience, mainly down to how close the property is to central London. That said, this particular location does have its drawbacks.

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

Building management has been excellent whenever we have raised issues. Maintenance requests are handled through the Greystar Residence app, which is very convenient. For example, when our kitchen sink was completely clogged and nothing we tried fixed it, we booked the maintenance team through the app and a team member arrived within a couple of hours, bringing all the cleaning products needed, and cleared the drain within fifteen minutes. Similarly, when our fridge was leaking water, they came and repaired it in no time. The entire process of booking maintenance and getting issues resolved is quick, hassle free and comes at no additional cost, which is one of the major perks of living in this property.

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

Before we moved in, I wish we had known that all the amenities advertised on the renting platform are not actually within the Fizzy Canning Town building itself, but in another Fizzy establishment nearby. This is worth keeping in mind when viewing this property. We had also seen reviews before moving in mentioning rat infestation, and while we have never seen rats within the building itself, we have seen them in the communal garden areas, which we did email the management about. Location is another thing to consider. Fizzy Canning Town is on one of the back streets of Canning Town, which can feel a little unsafe depending on the time of day. In hindsight, we would have looked at Fizzy E16 instead, which is newer, more modern, and located right on the main street with all the amenities within the building compound.