I moved into shapirp house, great flat, great design. There were some small issues with it, as to be expected with a new build, drain on the sink broke in my first week, there’s a plastic strip missing from the outside of my balcony doors (which i informed so residents of before I even moved in, still nothing has been done about it), and a few other small things, but on the whole its a nice, well put together flat and I’m happy to.live here.
One big issue I have is the cigarette smoking by other residents, due to the lack of a designated area they just stand by the communal doors, which causes my flat to continously smell of cigarette smoke, there should be a designated area by the bin shed or the fence, which would draw smokers away from the door. It also leaves a mess of ends on the floor by the door.
A better system of parking management should also be implemented, due to Internet issues, a visitor to my flat was unable to pay for their parking session until 15 minutes after they arrived, which led to a fine, there is also a number rof residents who moved into their flats knowing that they didn’t have the spaces they require which are causing uproar, I feel that a gate system for the car park would work far better, and aid security for residents too.
The communal doors and lifts break down on a regular basis too and take a long time to get repaired.
When the windows are cleaned they end up dirtier than they were before they were cleaned as the window cleaners do such a poor job.
Otherwise its a great place, up my end of the development there are no issues, its away from busy roads, away from the main parts of Stevenage, which is busy and can be rough, there is few issues with crime in the area other than idiots smoking cannabis and kids jumping the fence from St nicks. Close enough to Stevenage that its convenient, there is a lack of shops and stuff in short walking distance, with only really a budgens, but there is really nice walks to be had within a few minutes, for example, pryors wood.
Sound proofing within the flats is really good.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
The only shop within walking distance is budgens, which can be expensive and the food in there in quite often “gone off” at the time of purchase, but its easy and convenient for essentials, great that its open late, would be nice to have more shops within short walking distance. The parking situation is very bad it should be gated entry rather than traffic wardens.
There is alot of noise from the road, but, certainly up my end of the development in shapiro house, its not loud enough to disturb you. Bin stores are often left in a terrible state by other residents, but get cleared regularly enough that its not too big of an issue. Cannabis and cigarette smoke are an issue too. Sometimes neighbours are incredibly loud, having noisy parties, with loud music, shouting and screaming!
No pubs or resturaunts within easy walking distance which is a bit frustrating, but its a quick taxi ride to any.
In all its an easy and comfortable place to live. I would liken it to great Ashby
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
The parking management situation would have been great to get a heads up about
How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:
Poorly, I raised the issue with my balcony doors and was told to contact the builders and sort it myself, despite the issue being raised before I agreed to buy the place
