I really love the large bathroom which includes a bath and loads of storage behind the mirrors, impressive to have in a studio. The kitchen is great with WM, DW and large FF. However there are only four useable cupboards as one houses the boiler which can make fitting everything in a bit of a squeeze if you have a lot of stuff (like I do!)

The prices of the rental properties are unbeatable – you won’t find anything cheaper at this quality of finish! For a studio flat I have loads of room, visitors have been so impressed with the large space I have here.

There is a large bike store which is handy, but no concierge or parcel holding facilities. There have been a few snagging issues, with window seals being a bit wonky but property management have arranged to fix these quickly. The lifts also appear to have broken down but again has been fixed relatively quickly.

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

All of the shops of central Croydon are minutes away with a fairly large Lidl only 3 minutes walk from the property. Lots of bars nearby, including the fantastic Mr Fox bar (their cocktails are great!) There is Wandle Park nearby, and IKEA and various other ‘big box’ stores are about a 25 min walk/5 mins by tram away.

There is a tram stop heading into Croydon and beyond outside the flat which is handy. However if you are on the side of the flat facing it, the rails can be quite squeaky!

Parking is available opposite the flat, it costs about £17 for overnight. Traffic noise is again quite loud if you face the road, which is a 6 lane freeway. But, you get used to it.

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

The road noise at weekends is quite loud all night (however with window seals fixed this should ease)

I wish I’d known the boiler cupboard was in the kitchen, so I could have planned my kitchen storage better!

What is the best feature of your home:

High ceilings, large living space, lots of storage, large modern bathroom, all white goods provided, brand new.

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

The location is really convenient for transport, and has a wide variety of lovely parks/walks nearby. It isn’t close to any decent bars so have to travel, but is close to hackney wick/Stratford which has a much better nightlife. The block of flats I live in looks over the 6 lane motorway of the a12 which is extremely noisy and polluted. All bedroom windows face towards this road so windows open in the summer is a nuisance. Parking is limited or restricted during the day, but Tesco car park is free for 3 hours or around £9 for 24 hours. Overall the bin collection has been good, there have been a few strikes which have resulted in our development having excess waste.

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

– the district line isn’t reliable, make sure you have alternate routes on weekends
– to be prepared for the noise and from the a12, and to get black out blinds early for the street lights at night.
– try and avoid the underpasses at night

2

Facilities

4

Design

3

Location

3

Value

1

Management

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

Fantastic neighbourhood with professional people, easy access to high street and good public transport links with Wandsworth station less than 10 mins and East Putney approx 14 min walk

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

Wish I knew and read a bit more about service charge rises and reviews/reputation of estate and building management company

What is the best feature of your home:

Very well insulated and requires minimal heating. Has fantastic views of River Thames

2

Facilities

3

Design

5

Location

3

Value

1

Management

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

Good aspects of living in local area:
-tfl rail is 5 min away,
-bus stations – 2 min away,
-shopping mall (Ilford Exchange) – 7 min away,
-Ilford shopping street – 7 min away,
-Sainsburys – 2 min away,
-residents are clean, quiet and friendly (only Atkins House).

Bad aspects of living in local area:
-most of the local shops/restaurants are indian/pakistani food or chicken and chips, very little variety,
-the local park (Valentine park) is 25 min away and always extremely crowded,
-the pedestrian crossing to get to the rail is not pedestrian friendly – the green light is very short and it takes too long to switch on,
-the northern circular road is too close therefore you are living with constant car noise in the background and road pollution,
-parking is limited to either purchased personal parking space or Sainsburys parking,
-the inner garden is shared with Benjamin house residents who allow their children play ball games and run unsupervised,
-there is weed smell coming from Benjamin house flats from time to time.

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

The noise from the northern circular road is very loud and constant even at night.

What is the best feature of your home:

Simple and modern design of the flat and close to transport links to central London.

3

Facilities

4

Design

4

Location

4

Value

3

Management