MHA (Methodist Homes)

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

Half a mile into town for shopping. Co-op and Lidl supermarkets, very walkable otherwise a local bus does pick up at the door. There is butchers and bakers but no candlestick makers. The outside road can be busy at peak times but you can always get across or walk down to the traffic light crossing. No problem parking on site and as we are on a road leading out of town no pedestrians passing by so no anti social behaviour.

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

MHA was run in conjunction with Rangeford, the developer so getting things done was a complicated process but now that Rangeford have taken over the site things seem to move more easily.

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

Getting in is easy, getting out more difficult. If you have purchased rather than rented all service charges are payable whilst the property is empty until it is sold to somebody else.

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

Supermarket just round the corner. Town is average small and nothing special. Train and bus station and Motorway 10 minutes away. Mini bus provided twice daily for Chippenham area cost included.

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

Local very good, head office don't listen. Full of sayings like in hand, being looked into,but nothing ever seems to happen.

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

Bad design on roof in comunial areas leaks badly.

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

Supermarket and shop within 200 yards. Restaurant on site. 4 eating places within 200 yards. Some traffic noise but pleasant area to walk around in.

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

Yes. Heaters replaced and leaks repaired.

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

Good sound insulation. Pleasant neighbours and friendly communal activities are available as much or as little as preferred.

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

Micklehill is a new development on the outskirts of Pickering. It is level walking to the town which has lidl and coop supermarkets, plus a range of smaller shops such as three good bakeries, coffee bars, pubs etc. there is an hourly bus ( 10 mins walk) to Hemsley or Scarborough, and a two hourly service to York and Leeds or Whitby. Malton, 8 miles, away has a major supermarket and a range of interesting shops Pickering has a weekly market. There is sufficient parking in Pickering. My bungalow is at the top end of the complex so I do not hear the main A169 road noise. I have not, nor do I expect to, experience and anti-social behaviour. I have a dedicated parking place outside my bungalow. We have a communal bin area, which seems to work well. Pickering is a nice semi rural town which is nice to live in

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

Yes. I have not had any major problems…..nor any snagging. My toilet handle snapped at 5.30 on a Friday night, a maintenance man came out to fix it. I’d had visions of a bucket over the weekend lol.

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

Mainly it’s easy living. A home that is easy to heat and clean, there is a community which you can join or not to suit! A lifeline button is available 24/7. the cost of this is very expensive but for elderly living alone is worth the cost. We all have a small garden plot so don’t ditch all your garden tools.

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

Very convenient walking distance to Morrisons Supermarket, a local pub/restaurant and some takeaway outlets. We have a people carrier bus which does daily trips to the local town paid for through our service charges. The Golf Club and club house facilities are adjacent to us to the west. The in-house facilities like the gym, swimming pool/jacuzzi etc are great when not out of order.

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

We have asked the office on 3 or 4 occasions over the past 3 years if there are any plans to install electric car charge points in the residents car park. Each time they said they would get back to us but haven't. One would hope for some pro active action from MHA head office to initiate this urgently and pay for it through the contingency fund.

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

We wanted to buy a larger apartment but none were available at the time in our favoured area on the west side of the building. We have compromised and have settled in well. The management and maintenance issues are frustrating but we are determined to spend the rest of our time here happily and positively.