A guide to living in Borough of Tower Hamlets

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

Pros: + Very Safe and well lit. + good balance of activity space and relaxation areas. + welcoming of pets + canary wharf is improving it's premium retail & hospitality environment. + good public transport & services Cons: - The local area can be quite loud and is getting busier around wood wharf. (apartment soundproofing is good however) - To a minor degree there is hard to avoid antisocial behaviour from drunks / tourists. - Some inexperienced pet owners in the building require a lot of concessions.

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

I've eluded to this in my other responses I find the building management to be periodically unresponsive, somewhat defensive and perhaps a bit overwhelmed. The demeanor of the representatives varies from professional to dismissive and appear to take it personally if they are challenged even when it is completly reasonable to be disappointed with thier performance. Generally, I feel little reassurance when they tell me anything at the moment.

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

Vertus seem litigious and expect the tennant to be fully accountable with very limited reciprocity. Their case handing and technology for handing administrative tasks is unreliable and often incomplete. If you don't have a pet there are lots of buildings in the surrounding area that are better than 8 water street, however, with new legislation in place this less of an issue however. The concierge team are brilliant and accommodating, they know the area and the are genuinely great people who often try thier best to help. Some residents are inexperienced with pets so you might expect some barking, biting, scratching or jumping from thier animals.

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

8 Water Street is within walking distance of 2 great Tube stations; the Jubilee line (about a 2 minute walk) and the Elizabeth line (about an 8 minute walk). We have two underground shopping malls with a Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, John Lewis, Lululemon, Boots, Zara, etc… There is no shortage of wonderful places to eat, from Michelin guide restaurants such as Roe to stunning staples such as Dishoom, Din Tai Fung, and Hawksmoor to quick bites such as Chipotle, Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Chicken Shop to a weekly food market usually comprised of 6-10 food trucks. There are also a few lovely green parks that are clean and well maintained and are dog friendly.

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

Fortunately, there haven’t been many issues to report. I had an issue with my heated floors in the bathroom, as well as a low battery alarm in my smoke detectors. Both were resolved quickly.

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

There is an office building across the water behind Hawksmoor restaurant that quite often leaves all of the lights of several floors on throughout the night. In the dead of night it feels like staring into the sun. Fortunately, the bedrooms here are equipped with blackout curtains. So long as you remember to draw the curtains before bed, you’ll be fine.

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

I really like my flat. It is very bright, and I enjoy the fact to be in a very central location. I would recommend this building. Also geeat concierges!

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

All good for now, has been well managed thanks to Chay.

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

I didnt know there was the DLR line below my building and I can hear the train from my flat

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

Love the area nice and quiet ! Good local spots available including restaurants and shops. Nice green spaces.

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

Sometimes slow Conceirge team very helpful !!!!!!!

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

That management would not make other tenants adhere to regulations

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

Great neighborhood, facilities and availability of transport. Overall nice design and comfortable apartments.

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

As mentioned above, some inquiries took a while, e.g. heating or cooling repairs and installations.

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

Very convenient services, such as dry cleaning etc.