A guide to living in Yorkshire and the Humber

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

Absolutely amazing place to stay, very clean and a big community vibe, everyone is super friendly including all of the staff. Prime location right in the city centre next to all shops and transport links you could want

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

Responded to all issues extremely quickly whenever there was a problem

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

How amazing Nicole and Kyla are, and the rest of the staff at the James including Miri and Clive

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

lovely area to live in. It’s close enough to the station to make getting around easy, while being within walking distance of the shops, restaurants and the Playhouse, so there’s always plenty going on nearby.

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

If it is maintenance or something concierge can solve is always resolved quickly. But if it requires the in-building management, it never gets done. Only if it gets escalated to moda external management

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

The hot water always stop to work in December and the car park door isn’t automated

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

Living here is very convenient, the close proximity to the bus and train station is a plus for me. Easy access to the city centre gives me a variety of shops, pubs and bars to visit.

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

Ivana responds immediately when she's around and always keeps me updated and always ask for feedbacks. Sotiris who works during the night also comes through for me.

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

Tenants within the building are the nicest people you can meet anywhere, and it's never a dull moment when we get together

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

It’s been great, met great people living here and the the easy access to amenities and stores makes it worth it a lot!

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

Theyve been very helpful, and continue to encourage me to let them know if their help is needed

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

Overall, my experience has been very positive. The building feels modern, comfortable and well maintained, with a welcoming atmosphere. The location is convenient, and the facilities make everyday living easier. One tip for new neighbours would be to familiarise yourself with the building’s amenities and procedures early on. The community is generally friendly, peaceful and enjoyable to live in.

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

The area has good access to Leeds city centre — it’s only a 10–15 minute walk, and trains are easy to reach, which is one of the strongest positives of living here. However, the immediate surroundings are quite limited in terms of shops and bars. There are a few places within walking distance, but the choice is fairly narrow, and you’re mostly stuck with the inflated prices at the nearest Tesco Express if you need something quickly. The stretch towards Holbeck is quite barren and visually run‑down, which doesn’t add much to the local feel, though it’s manageable if you’re heading into town. Unfortunately, anti‑social behaviour has been getting noticeably worse. There are frequent fireworks at night, cars speeding at all hours, and NOSS canisters and syringes have been found outside the complex before. There have also been reports of homelessness extending into people accessing buildings, which raises understandable concerns about safety. Security issues around the car park overseen by Leodis have been mentioned too, including cars being broken into and bikes stolen. Parking availability is extremely poor. Spaces aren’t included with the flats, and the cost of a space is high (around £120 a month last I heard). This leads to people parking on the pavements so heavily that the paths can become unusable. It’s a persistent issue and makes the street feel cramped and poorly managed. Overall, while the location is convenient for getting into Leeds, the immediate area suffers from limited amenities, worsening anti‑social behaviour, and serious parking and security problems

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

Building management generally responds in a way that feels more focused on charging tenants than actually helping. When issues are raised, they often look for a way to bill you, even for things that are clearly wear and tear. Requests for improvements or reasonable changes (like a corner sofa or pet permission) are usually met with a flat refusal. Even simple things, like replacing a worn key fob, became a negotiation. While some staff are helpful, the overall approach feels inconsistent, profit‑driven, and rarely supportive of long‑term residents.

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

One thing I wish I’d known before moving in is how limited and inflexible the furnished design actually is. You don’t get much choice, and even long‑term residents can’t request simple changes like a corner sofa. I also wish I’d known how many extra charges management tries to apply for things that are clearly wear and tear, and how inconsistent the “pet‑friendly” policy really is. The included internet is unreliable, the gym is often too busy to use, and resident events book up instantly. These are things you’d never notice from a viewing, but they make a big difference once you live here.