Bellway Homes

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

We reported serious problems with our Bellway home, including an extremely cold living room, mould, condensation, cracking and deteriorating skirting beside the patio doors. Bellway did not inspect the property, so we paid approximately £700 for an independent thermographic survey. It identified eleven significant thermal anomalies, including a surface temperature of approximately 6.4°C and suspected missing or displaced insulation and air leakage. When the skirting was removed because mould and deterioration were appearing around it, we discovered a substantial unexplained void beneath and behind the internal wall lining at the wall-to-floor and patio-door junction. A measuring tape can be inserted more than four metres horizontally into this void, and the accessible area also extends approximately 50 centimetres downwards below floor level. There is mould, cracking and deterioration directly above and beside it. Despite receiving the report and photographs, Bellway has confirmed in writing that it has no intention of carrying out an independent investigation because its two-year warranty has expired. It will only attend if NHBC arranges an inspection. NHBC has already declined part of our claim concerning the cold areas, insulation, mould and condensation, and no inspection has yet been confirmed. Bellway has also failed to answer whether the affected room is safe to use while we wait. We live here with our young child and are understandably extremely worried. We purchased a new-build home expecting the builder and the ten-year Buildmark warranty to provide meaningful protection. Instead, Bellway refers us to NHBC, while NHBC has so far declined part of the claim without inspecting the newly exposed area. Our experience of Bellway’s aftercare has been appalling. I would strongly advise prospective buyers to research what protection they will actually receive after the first two years. We will update this review if Bellway or NHBC finally arranges a proper technical inspection and resolves the problem.

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

We reported serious problems with our Bellway home, including an extremely cold living room, mould, condensation, cracking and deteriorating skirting beside the patio doors. Bellway did not inspect the property, so we paid approximately £700 for an independent thermographic survey. It identified eleven significant thermal anomalies, including a surface temperature of approximately 6.4°C and suspected missing or displaced insulation and air leakage. When the skirting was removed because mould and deterioration were appearing around it, we discovered a substantial unexplained void beneath and behind the internal wall lining at the wall-to-floor and patio-door junction. A measuring tape can be inserted more than four metres horizontally into this void, and the accessible area also extends approximately 50 centimetres downwards below floor level. There is mould, cracking and deterioration directly above and beside it. Despite receiving the report and photographs, Bellway has confirmed in writing that it has no intention of carrying out an independent investigation because its two-year warranty has expired. It will only attend if NHBC arranges an inspection. NHBC has already declined part of our claim concerning the cold areas, insulation, mould and condensation, and no inspection has yet been confirmed. Bellway has also failed to answer whether the affected room is safe to use while we wait. We live here with our young child and are understandably extremely worried. We purchased a new-build home expecting the builder and the ten-year Buildmark warranty to provide meaningful protection. Instead, Bellway refers us to NHBC, while NHBC has so far declined part of the claim without inspecting the newly exposed area. Our experience of Bellway’s aftercare has been appalling. I would strongly advise prospective buyers to research what protection they will actually receive after the first two years. We will update this review if Bellway or NHBC finally arranges a proper technical inspection and resolves the problem.

What is the best feature of your home:

We reported serious problems with our Bellway home, including an extremely cold living room, mould, condensation, cracking and deteriorating skirting beside the patio doors. Bellway did not inspect the property, so we paid approximately £700 for an independent thermographic survey. It identified eleven significant thermal anomalies, including a surface temperature of approximately 6.4°C and suspected missing or displaced insulation and air leakage. When the skirting was removed because mould and deterioration were appearing around it, we discovered a substantial unexplained void beneath and behind the internal wall lining at the wall-to-floor and patio-door junction. A measuring tape can be inserted more than four metres horizontally into this void, and the accessible area also extends approximately 50 centimetres downwards below floor level. There is mould, cracking and deterioration directly above and beside it. Despite receiving the report and photographs, Bellway has confirmed in writing that it has no intention of carrying out an independent investigation because its two-year warranty has expired. It will only attend if NHBC arranges an inspection. NHBC has already declined part of our claim concerning the cold areas, insulation, mould and condensation, and no inspection has yet been confirmed. Bellway has also failed to answer whether the affected room is safe to use while we wait. We live here with our young child and are understandably extremely worried. We purchased a new-build home expecting the builder and the ten-year Buildmark warranty to provide meaningful protection. Instead, Bellway refers us to NHBC, while NHBC has so far declined part of the claim without inspecting the newly exposed area. Our experience of Bellway’s aftercare has been appalling. I would strongly advise prospective buyers to research what protection they will actually receive after the first two years. We will update this review if Bellway or NHBC finally arranges a proper technical inspection and resolves the problem.

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

Overall, I have found the New Festival Quarter to be a convenient and generally pleasant place to live. One of its greatest advantages is its location. There is a useful selection of local shops within easy walking distance, making day-to-day life straightforward, and the development benefits from excellent access to the nearby park. Having such a large green space on the doorstep is a real positive, providing opportunities for walking, exercising and spending time outdoors. The development itself is relatively quiet for most of the time and I have generally felt safe living here. While, like any urban area, there are occasional issues, they have not significantly affected my day-to-day life within the development. That said, there are aspects of the surrounding area that could be improved. Cleanliness is one of the main concerns, as there is often litter and the streets can appear untidy. In addition, the area behind the development, where much of the neighbouring council housing is situated, can sometimes be noisy and there are occasional incidents of antisocial behaviour. Although this can detract from the overall impression of the neighbourhood, these issues tend to be localised and are not representative of the development itself. In summary, I believe the New Festival Quarter offers a good balance of convenience, accessibility and green space. While the surrounding area would benefit from improvements to cleanliness and a reduction in noise and antisocial behaviour, I have generally found it to be a safe and comfortable place to live, with the positives outweighing the negatives.

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

In the past it has been poor. Today Mark was excellent so thank you

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

I was I had known I was opposite the refuse room. I wish I had realised 1/2 the estate is council

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

This location is wonderfully central, just a 10-minute walk to Bermondsey station and 15 minutes to London Bridge. While the immediate street is purely residential, a short 5-10 minute stroll takes you to Rope Street Market and Bermondsey Street, offering a good selection of shops, restaurants, and cafes. A few important things to note for prospective tenants: First, this is a 'car-free' development. We (and our landlord) were unaware of this until moving in, which means residents are not eligible for on-street parking permits—a crucial detail if you own a vehicle! Second, while the area feels quiet at first glance, expect some urban background noise, specifically from the nearby Sainsbury’s loading area and some persistent commercial HVAC systems. Lastly, it is a diverse, mixed-residential neighbourhood, which does mean some anti-social behaviour, at times (e.g. a 10 year old riding an electric motorcycle crazy fast on pavements and streets in the area). As with many dense urban areas, street cleanliness can be a bit inconsistent, and rubbish does occasionally build up in the smaller service alleys between buildings.

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

The noise from Sainsbury's loading area (the metal carts clanking once or twice a day, every day).

What is the best feature of your home:

Size of apartment and how quiet the neighbours are. Our Landlords are wonderful too.

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

I live around Ajax Avenue in Slough Trading Estate and overall, it’s quite a convenient place to be. One of the best things is how easy it is to get around – transport links are good, and getting into town or even out towards London is straightforward. There are plenty of shops, supermarkets, and places to eat nearby, so I never really struggle to find what I need. The area is lively during the day with lots of businesses around, and I like that there’s always some activity. That said, being in a trading estate does have its downsides. Traffic can get really heavy during peak hours, and with all the lorries and vans moving around, it’s not always the quietest place to live. Parking can be a bit of a challenge too, depending on the time of day. Bin collections are regular, but sometimes the street looks a little busy and crowded because of the commercial setting. All in all, living here is convenient and practical, especially if you work nearby, but if you’re after a quiet, residential feel, this probably wouldn’t be the best fit.

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how busy the traffic can get around the trading estate during peak hours. It’s not something you really notice during a viewing, but once you live here, you realise it can add time to your journeys and make parking more difficult at certain times. I’d also suggest to new neighbours that getting bins organised early is helpful, as collection days are regular but can be strict. On the positive side, I didn’t expect to have such quick access to shops and food outlets, which has been a big convenience.

What is the best feature of your home:

The best feature of my home is the modern, spacious layout that makes it comfortable and easy to live in. I really like the natural light and large windows, which make the space feel bright and welcoming every day. The convenient location with easy access to shops and transport links is definitely the best feature for me. I love the peaceful atmosphere inside the home, even though it’s close to busy areas, which gives me the best of both worlds.

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

Living in Hayes is very convenient with good transport links, including Hayes & Harlington station and the Elizabeth Line, making travel to central London and Heathrow easy. Local shops, restaurants, and cafes are steadily improving, offering a variety of options, while nearby parks and green spaces provide pleasant outdoor areas

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

On-street parking is difficult, but there's council car park nearby for visitors

What is the best feature of your home:

The best feature of my home is its bright, spacious rooms with a private balcony and modern design.