A Guide to Living in South West England

Please review your development:

Love the flat it’s very bright and beautiful with large floor to ceiling windows. 5 minute walk into the city Centre very close to a lot of shops. Pubs and restaurants. Only problem is that we have homeless people breaking in and stealing parcels and then sleeping in building

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

Lack of parking in the area is annoying if you own a car

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

We have had a problem with our bathroom tile almost two years ago and still not been sorted properly

Please review your development:

The building is modern and the design is essential but smart. It is perfect if you like a minimalist style. Apartments have a great view on the harbours and it is close to local shops, restaurants, bars as well as Millennium Square. The location is great for young professionals and the area is very lively. Management is fine but there is ongoing maintenance work and it is expensive.

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

The rent is very high and significantly increased overtime

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

The building management responded to any problems or issues I have raised, but sometime with some delay.

The bad things about the Helm is that it is surrounded in student accommodation, on three sides. They are incredibly noisy, dirty and have no respect for other residents in the area, the area is surrounded in litter, broken glass, dog mess! On the other side there is a building about to be knocked down and in its places a 23 story building built so that will be incredibly unpleasant once that starts and at the front of the building is the main road. The area surrounding the Helm is infested by students and drug addicts, so generally isn’t pleasant nor that safe, unless you pay £120 a month for parking in the Helm car park there isn’t any safe or free parking in the surrounding areas either.

Please review your development:

The Apartments themselves are genuinely very nice and stylish and well kept, dependant on who lived in it beforehand but others are dreadful, The building is nicely designed but very poorly kept, communal areas are generally very dirty, damaged and not looked after at all. Walls in and around the building damaged and marked, floors damaged and marked, no sign of improvements ever! The communal lounge is a dirty run down mess, it needs a serious revamp but will never happen. The building management do try but always seem out of their depth which is a shame! Higher management who should be in support of the buildings general manager do not do anything when on site and would rather spend time drinking coffee and smoking and hiding in the staff room… (it’s been noted many times by residents of this happening) building maintenance is little to none these days it takes an age to get anything sorted, the Helms maintenance man would rather spend their time sitting in the office watching CCTV or sitting out the front of the building doing nothing constantly again all residents are aware of this! The surrounding of the building is very very badly kept. Litter, glass, weeds, dogs mess..: you name it it’s there, the drive way you are constantly driving over glass or litter as it is never cleaned up! The Helm management have never done anything to rectify this, you would think the premium that is paid to live here you would have an external grounds maintenance company come in once a week like most premium buildings. Overall the The Helm is a pretty unpleasant experience… which is a great shame as it’s full of potential. I generally wouldn’t recommend moving here paying 5star prices for 1star quality.

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

How poorly looked after the building is and the extreme prices they charge for everything.

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

Little to none, it takes an age for anything to ever get sorted

Please review your development:

The internal property management team are absolute stars. Couldn’t have lived here without them – always attentive, kind and considerate! The team always make the effort to put on events, community get-togethers and ensure we are all aware of any updates, maintenance or disruption.

The design and overall facilities of the property are fab – great space to hang out with friends, hire out for larger parties or simply for yourself! I have lived here for approaching 4 years and during that time, the space has got a little more tired, but still is clean and well-kept condition!

The downside has been the surrounding buildings’ scaffolding and work. It’s very disruptive and doesn’t make the area look very nice or appealing (compared to what it used to be, anyways!)

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

A lot of people keep themselves to themselves – wish there was more opportunity, lead by the property management, to create a Whatsapp group where people can chit-chat and form friendships! Sometimes in-person parties can be quite intimidating to some OR people don’t go.

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

Always quickly, kindly and informatively! Never had a problem at raising any issues regarding my property. There has been a bit of miscommunication and radio-silence from the wider Grainger team when moving out though.