About Bellway Homes

The flat I chose was listed as a disabled flat, I didn’t need a disabled space but liked that the bathroom was a more generous space but it didn’t come with a shower and the developer said they wouldn’t put one in – we went back and forth and eventually they did. Another example was requesting wooden floors instead of carpet and in the end I was allowed but had to pay a lot more. The kitchen was standard and I wanted white and a few small tiny things changed but they wouldn’t allow this.

The timeline was as promised and the after sales lady from Bellway Homes was lovely and handled everything well and quickly as well as explaining how everything worked. We had two small issues when we moved in – the first was that the extractor in the bathroom was really noisy and the second was a leak from the sink, both were quickly fixed.

After the initial move in the management was handed over to a company called Ringleys. They have promised lots of things that they haven’t done, the main one being CCTV cameras which the residents wanted as mail was going missing and this hasn’t been delivered. From speaking to other people there seems to be no good management companies in the UK. When the service charges were due to be paid and people then looked into what was promised and what was delivered there were lots of complaints. I actually don’t think they are too bad as they cut the grass, clean the windows and the inside of the buildings. They do a decent job for what we pay. If something needs fixing owners expect it to be done immediately but it does get done even if it takes a while. The main issues are the lack of cctv, issues with parcels and where they can be stored and garbage getting left out. We don’t have a concierge service.

My flat was delivered as promised and as advertised, no issues and everything covered by warranty. The wow factor for me and the biggest reason we bought was the open plan kitchen which makes the living area seem so much bigger. The reason we bought new build was because the bedrooms and storage is so much better and bigger than older houses.

We have no issues with noise and the walls are well insulated – we have an owners group and we communicate well and let each other know if we are planning to have a party or anything going on but even with the doors closed you can’t hear anything. There is a decent community here and dominated by South East Asians and Eastern Europeans, we all get along and help each other out when we need something. There seems to be a lot of people like us – younger generation of first time home buyers who have put all their savings down to buy.

If we move it will be to get more space as we are in a one bed flat and I would look to buy within the development but I would prefer to buy through another developer. I believe there is no perfect developer and would now be mentally prepared for the process of buying. I have been looking in Uxbridge and would now read reviews of what other residents are saying before I buy again.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

There is very little around but it is a good commuter town as we can get to London in 20 minutes and most people I know working in London. There are a few restaurants and pubs and it ticks all the boxes but there are not a wide group of things here. One big incident was when the Sainsbury cash machine was bombed to get the money but bar that incident it is a safe area. There are kids and teenagers loitering around which some residents complain about but I think it is just kids being kids and not a big issue.

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

I wish to have known That the crossrail is delayed.

There are no facilities such as a gym or garden but I don’t think they are needed. We pay good value for money in our rent but there are three of us sharing a two bedroom flat. It would be helpful to have a concierge or at least a better mail system, the letterboxes are tiny so loads of packages just get dumped in the main hallway. There is also no parking and that would be great to have.

We have had no issue with anything going wrong in the building, we have had a problem with our boiler but the landlord got that sorted pretty quickly.

The biggest issue is the noise. You can hear the noise from the flats above/below and to the sides as well as the traffic on the street side and the train noise on the other side of the flat. The walkway to the flats is also right by the bedrooms so anyone walking to approach the flat goes past your window.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

It is a great area and location and the reason I chose my flat was because I wanted better transport links and I am now 2 minutes from the tube and 10 mins from Stockwell with the Victoria line. We are right on the High Street which has loads going on though it can get quite noisy.

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

Be aware of the mail delivery issues, if you are having something delivered of value you would want to be home to collect it or take time off work. Also be aware of the noise.

I believe Bellway used a subcontractor to do the actual building work and there have been some really bizarre design decisions. For example in the bathroom there is a shaving point behind a tile! You would have to smash the tile if you want to use it and if I sell no one is going to know it exists.

I moved in about a year after buying, I think there was a delay by a few months. There were a lot of small snagging issues – like over 40 – I don’t consider myself a detailed person but there were a lot on my list. Bellway did come and sort them out but I think because of the subcontractor it just took longer and it was just a hassle.

There is now a managing agent who is good, they seem to look after the site well. It was a pain at handover as we were all having issues with our boiler and there was a battle between the managing agent and Bellway over who was responsible so it just took a long time to get sorted – but all is now good and well managed.

I love my balcony and view of Battersea Power Station, it is a great location and that is the best thing about the development. I do think the open plan layout is good in the flats, my flat is small but has a nice feel from the open plan layout. I think it has good storage, when there were two of us in the flat it was tough but it is a nice size of flat.

The wifi was set up and provided by the developer, I tried to change company but they couldn’t figure out how and for me it is fine. There is no parking and within our lease we are not eligible to get a parking permit on the streets nearby so that is definitely something to be aware of.

I think the flat value at the time of buying was good and it has held well with the market, it might not have gone up much but that is to do with the general London market and not the development.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

The location is amazing. It is 2 mins to the tube, 4 minutes to the overland and Clapham Common is close by with lots of restaurant and bars. Clapham North is slightly cheaper than Clapham Common but it is still close to everything going on and within 15 minutes on the tube you can get to everywhere.

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

The flats are really well insulated and over the winter months I have no heating bill but in the summer the flats can get really hot.