A guide to living in Tyne & Wear

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.

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

Perfect location for local amenities. Easy accessible to get the bus or metro into the main city centre of Newcastle. Very quiet estate, plenty of parking for any visitors you may have.

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

No problems in the property have been found so have not needed to contact building management.

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

I had personally been looking for a rental property for quite some time so just wish I had of known about this company sooner. Because it's a new home it makes it feel more your own.

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

The transport links are good from the neighbourhood, there is also an Aldi within a 5 minute work so it’s convenient for shopping

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

When I have had any problems the team are quick to deal with the issue

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

I viewed the house in the spring time so did not know how well the house would be insulated in the winter. It turned out the house is very insulated and I hardly need to have the heating on which results in saving money

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

Excellent location - very close to the A19 and Sunderland city centre. Sainsbury’s and Lidl are both a 5 minute walk away. Bus stops are literally at the end of the estate. Metro is about 20 min walk away. Only downside to location is that the development either backs onto an industrial estate, a main road, or a social club. Can be noise during night especially from industrial estate.

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

Yes but only when raised through maintenance portal.

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

Rent went up £100 a month the first year which was a big increase as our wages haven’t gone up £100 a month. Hoping it doesn’t go up £100 this year as we will soon be priced out. No viewing are allowed before you sign the lease. They say they maintain the front of your property but that only means cutting. Any reseeding, levelling, or weeding has to be done by yourself (this was a response I got from asking them to reseed grass in front of the property I rent).