About FI Real Estate Management

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

Croydon is a vibrant area with shops, restaurants, green spaces and bars right on your doorstep, and it’s a perfect location for commuting to Victoria or London Bridge. Leon House is in the restaurant quarter of Croydon where you will find every type of cuisine you can think of, as well as upmarket cocktail bars and restaurants. Things can get a bit rowdy at the weekends but unless you’re on the lower floors it’s not particularly noisy. The only problem with the area is there are opportunists tailgating people into the building and car park, so despite the assumed security of the building, this is enabling them easy access.

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

Unfortunately I moved from my previous location because of anti-social neighbours. Even in a new build in expensive houses with a more affluent demographic, some neighbours show no regard for others and expect people to clean up after them. I also wish I had known that the Westfield development would be shelved, as it is worrying to see the high street going downhill.

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

I have had very little response and it feels like they treat the residents as entitled and an inconvenience. I do not even really know who I am supposed to contact as there are so many parties involved.

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

The South End of Croydon is a lively bustling environment which is both a blessing and a curse. The range of shops and entertainment in close proximity is a definite plus, however being in the middle of this area can lead to some noisy nights after hours and in the case of Leon House, the sad fact that you are regularly unable to open your windows on the South side without gaining a lot of smoke entering from the restaurant literally next to it. Parking availability is non existent on the roads but the building does have a car park currently for guest of residents but due to development nearby this facility could go which will make life quite difficult for both residents and guests. Being a commuter the close proximity to East Croydon station is the largest plus as you are only 15 mins away from getting a train to the South Coast or to Central London and beyond.

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

One Good, One Bad. The good is that the Facebook Community between residents is lovely, showing a real community vibe and they are always happy to help others and try to make others welcome. The bad is that the running cost of the property is not the cheapest energy wise and the Service Charges increase dramatically each year putting a strain on peoples finances, especially if you are moving in on your own.

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

Building Management were dismissive, then aggressive with regards to the issues in the Bathrooms, then forced work involving multiple workmen on a vulnerable person during the pandemic, threatening to void the building warranty on the flat if it was not undertaken, despite me explaining my situation. If I had the choice I would sell up tomorrow sadly as I do not feel if there is a major issue that they would either respond adequately or indeed compassionately to someone who has invisible disabilities. I now have cracks in my bathroom and there is no recourse other than to try and remedy myself.

Original William Mitchell concrete artworks in the main lobby, stairwells and lift lobbies. Mitchell was a post-war sculptor and the artwork, which was formed by carving concrete while still wet, has been previously covered over for more than a decade, but now is exposed for all to enjoy and see.

There is a roof garden on the 21st floor and a private dining room (bookable and chargeable), as well as a meeting room and the grand open space of the entrance foyer (7 am – 11 pm manned concierge) which is part lounge, part co-working area.

Inside of every apartment features bespoke design by Love Interiors. With floor to ceiling windows affording panoramic views over London which isn’t cheap to heat come the winter. The apartment interiors are clean, modern and clutter-free, and by specifying quality materials including oak flooring, specialist ceramics and designer-specification appliances and fittings.

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

Being on the High Street has its Pros and Cons. With a range of great restaurants towards South Croydon or known as the restaurant quarter, as well Surrey street market dating back to the 13th century, and a range of shops towards central Croydon. Transport links are top, bus stops left and right with East and South Croydon Stations (National Rail) within walking distance and West Croydon a little further (TFL). Park Hill Park, Dupas Hill and Lloyd Park are all within walking distance, as well as some great forest walks.

However, with any High Street, there are some issues with drug-taking, rough sleepers, litter and noise. There is always something going on, emergency service sirens zooming past towards the flyover. There is an active nighttime economy with nightclubs and late bars towards central croydon, however, revellers go home at 04:00 am and do disturb the peace when going home.

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

Late-night trade (drunks) and road traffic noise

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

They have responded swiftly (email response), however, the solutions have not been applied or rectified. When they are fixed or “resolved”, the issue seems to reoccur after a short period, rather than fixing something properly the first time.

3

Facilities

5

Design

4

Location

4

Value

4

Management

The main entrance is lovely and modern, but the entrance from car park 2 and the car park itself are very ugly and worn. The courtyard outside of the main entrance is essentially a vacant strip mall which is quite ugly. The aim is that all of this will become a new development in the future (Leon Quarter), but work was supposed to start on that in August 2022 and there is no sign of that starting at all. With the current economic climate, I am not sure that will change any time soon.

It is worth bearing in mind that Leon Quarter, if completed as planned, will obstruct views for north-facing flats.

The interior is very nice and modern, but the developer definitely went cheap and cheerful with the white goods in the flat. The fridge in particular seems to be a really cheap brand and struggles to maintain a reasonable temperature. The fixtures and fittings are a bit flimsy.

That being said, the flats definitely look and feel modern. If you are an owner, you can do quite a lot to make it your own.

I am in a flat on one of the top floors and facing north, the noise pollution at night from the motorway can be a real pain if the windows are open which is really a necessity in mid-summer, but when closed all but the worst of the boy-racers with souped up exhausts are drowned out. I don’t really get much of an issue at night with party-goers but I hear that is a problem for flats lower down.

The roof terrace is lovely and a great place to hang out. There is a very nice and friendly atmosphere amongst the residents.

The building managers are rude and difficult at times. I haven’t had a great deal of interaction but they do not seem to be the most competent bunch.

All in all would definitely recommend living here, but if you are buying then take your time to consider.

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

Very good selection of bars and restaurants in the local area, all quite reasonably priced. You can really take full advantage of the area with a personal vehicle which makes accessing the bigger supermarkets and shops in Purley Way much easier. There are no supermarkets very closeby but lots of shops. Walk to East Croydon station is about 15 minutes, and South Croydon about the same. Excellent transport links to central.

The area is reasonably safe most of the time although things can get quite seedy late at night, but that is the case for most of London. I have lived in many other parts of the city and it seems to me that Croydon gets an especially bad reputation for crime

Lots of brand new developments are sprouting up around everywhere, but the high street is declining if anything. I think it is a problem the whole country is facing, but the issue specific to Croydon is that super-convenient access to central London reduces local demand. I am very hopeful that the high street and shopping areas will get re-developed to some degree in the near future, it is very much needed.

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

That Leon Quarter was going to obstruct the north-facing view of apartments, and that there is no cover for snags or issues discovered after moving in.

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

rude, short and unhelpful. Every interaction with FI Real Estate has been very unpleasant.