However, more buildings have been built nearby which has been both extremely noisy and an eyesore. The company opposite the street use angle grinders and other noisy things daily, meaning that I can’t really open my windows without being thrown with noise.

The first problem I had was actually to the building’s construction – I have a window that opens inwards that COLLIDES with the rail for my blinds, meaning that that’s one window I can’t open. When I complained about this, they simply said that I’m not allowed to open it. I’m not allowed to open my own window in my own apartment.

The next problem is that the blinds don’t keep light out. The width of the blinds doesn’t fit the width of the window, and light easily escapes around the sides. This disturbs sleep, gets in the way of work and also means that I basically get headaches all the time as light is always shining in my eyes no matter where I go.

The place is understaffed, likely due to covid. There have been plenty of times I’ve gone to collect a parcel, during the week or the weekend, and no one has been at reception. I’ve then waited, sometimes up to 40 minutes before they come back. A simple ‘on patrol, back at 8.30’ message would be perfect, but they haven’t taken this on board after I complained. I dread to think if there was an emergency and paramedics need to be taken to someone’s room (which has happened, thankfully someone was at the desk at this time). When calling reception to try and get a hold of someone, it calls the phone at the desk and it does not alert staff on patrol. I don’t know how to get the attention of someone in an emergency, in my case, I needed my package as it was my medication.

On the sixth floor, we recently had a powercut where even emergency lighting wasn’t working. It was pitch black, enough to trip over nothing due to disorientation. Not safe.

Recently, there was some maintanence being performed without my knowledge. This was on the roof, and the workers lowered a ladder onto my balcony, I still don’t know why. No response after my complaint.

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

You’ll have to walk ~10 minutes to get to town (or drive), nothing really on the doorstep. There is meadows nearby, a little shopping area, so you can get groceries, doctors, pharmacy and fish and chips easily but that’s about it

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

That I wouldn’t enjoy my stay here for every reason I listed.

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

Most of the times they were unresponsive. Very disappointed.

The apartment is well lit thanks to the floor to ceiling windows, but these become a major disadvantage in the summer. The large windows make the apartment like a greenhouse during the summer and they only open maximum 45 degrees so there’s absolutely no airflow. This has put us at significant enough discomfort that we have actually considered moving because of it, and is part of the reason we are leaving now unfortunately.

The other aspect of living in this apartment is getting your washing done. The apartment comes furnished with a washer dryer combined. It is awful at drying clothes, the only way we can dry our clothes is by first hanging it up on a clothes horse for a few hours and then putting it in to dry for at least 2 spins, taking it out in between and knocking out the moisture. When the apartment is already small and the windows do not open, this not only generates a layer of dust/fluff on everything but also adds to the temperature/humidity in the flat. You’re better off going to a laundromat really.

The property management and Saffron Court team are amazing. The concierge is 24/7 so there’s always someone to collect parcels or ask questions. The team is always friendly and polite and they look after you.

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

Saffron Court is located about a 2-5 minute walk from Nottingham Railway Station, and about a 15-20 minute walk from Old Market Square (Nottingham city center), it is therefore really well located for public transport (train, tram, and bus) and local shops, restaurants, and bars. It is also a 10 minute walk from Trent Bridge where there is beautiful green space and pubs overlooking the river, perfect if you have a dog or enjoy cycling (part of Nottingham Big Track). Notts County Football club, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and Motorpoint Arena are also all within a 20 minute walk if you like sport or concerts.

Although located in the city, the apartments are noise proof/insulated. I’ve never heard noise from any of the other apartments, almost as if no one else lives here! The noise outside is sometimes a bit loud at night on the weekends with people out clubbing or sitting in their cars playing music, but it’s never been excessively bad to the point of wanting to leave.

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

Visit the Trent Bridge and the river, it’s amazing in the summer.

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

Maintenance is sorted out through an online resident portal so it has always been easy to submit any maintenance issues and have them resolved in a timely manner.

Staff is trying to make sure all tenants live happily at Merlin Wharf. There are occassional gatherings that happen until the late hours of the evening but that’s always addressed and security is quick to react.

The design of the building and the green areas is great as I’m sure yoh can see online. Everything looks just like it is in photos/videos.

I would only complain about the structure of the building and the quality of the walls/ceilings/floors in terms of soundproofing. But I guess that’s the case with every new development. Hollow structure where sound travels easily across apartments. BUT IT’S NOT A DISSASTER. I’ve been in worse places where you can literally hear normal conversations from other apartments.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the gym we have access to and use it every week!

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

My partner and I love the location. No noise from the busy centre and streets but a quck 5-min walk to everything you’ll ever need in terms of shops, cinema, restaurants, bars, arcades, etc.

Right across the street, there is a local convinience store for when you need that snack or have forgotten a simple ingredient that you need last minute (not a grocerie store but can find a lot there).

Bin collection is a breeze. There are 3 bin stores for each block of Merlin Wharf. Entry with a chip. Never had a problem. You never have to get out of the complex to throw your rubbish out.

TRANSPORT

We don’t have a car so cannot speak for parking outside of the allocated Merlin Wharf parking spaces (which seem great for people with cars – secure entry/exit, electric charging points, more than enough space). There doesn’t seem to be much space to park outside the building so best is to pay some extra and have a spot at the parking lot of Merlin Wharf.

– Train station is 20-min walk away or a quick Uber ride. There are many Uber drivers in Leicester so there’s never a problem finding one quickly. About 1,5h to London St Pancras via Kettering (change there).

– Bus station not too far either.
– Not sure about public transport as we’ve never had the need to use it.

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

I moved in only seen an online viewing and EVERYTHING was exactly how it was online. Love it.

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

Quick response. Very professional.

We had a problem with the shower and bath. Issues were fixed within a week. Nothing major, just consmetic but staff had availability almost straight away.

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

There is a good range of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance, which makes it really easy to get everywhere. There are also many bus stops, just right outside so this makes travelling a little further easier, and also the train station is within 5 minutes walk, which is ideal for commuting, and easy access to the larger cities. It is also only 50 minutes to London on the train. The parking is limited, as there is no parking on the Main Street, and the smaller street just off the pain street becomes very busy quickly, but have never struggled to actually park.

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

Try and secure a parking space in the designated car parks as it just takes the stress away from street parking, and that way you know your space is always free.

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

Really quickly and efficiently, and also feel like it is never too much trouble.