Berkshire House, SL6

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

The area is really convenient:
-lots of shops around
-train station very close
-lots of cafes around

The only thing I don’t enjoy is that because of the central location, it might get loud at night because of people partying.

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

How dry it is – it is both an advantage in a humid country like England but also a disadvantage for a person like me with skin problems

What is the best feature of your home:

The location and modern design. It is a really convenient place for a person like me (living alone, working from home, going to London quite often on weekends (well not during the pandemic).

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

Very conveniently located to the shops where you can get most essentials. I travel to nearby Reading or Windsor every now and then by train if there are other shops I need. The selection of restaurants are of good quality and will be growing in the future with the town’s new developments. The only downside to living in this area I would say is some noise at night and early morning with delivery lorries, but I have got used to it and it is to be expected with the location. During the recent months I have discovered more nice green places to walk (and pubs!). All in all, I intend to be here for a while!

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

I think it would be to consider the noise at night if you like to sleep with the window open. But this is definitely something I have got used to and it is not a problem for me now.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

It would be good if the paint on the walls was a bit harder wearing. You notice after living here a while that it becomes a bit patchy.

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

Area is amazing, well located, close to everything, train station 5 mins walk, located right in the city centre

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

Nothing to worry about.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

Flats could be a little bit bigger only, apart from that, all good.

Living in Berkshire House, is nice and easy! We can make use of the communal area located at the top of the building for socialising with the other tenants, cooking and most recently been using it as an office space. It’s allowed us to create a separation from living and working which in COVID times as been great.

During the hot summer days/nights it can get very hot, and creating a draft to get some cooling in the apartment can be quite difficult. At least there is aircon in the communal area.

We’ve build a nice group of friends that we hang out with almost every day, which without the communal area would not of been possible.

With permanent residents, short term let, and guests staying from various booking websites it does make it hard to know who lives in the building and who doesn’t. Sometimes it feels like those who do not live permanently use the place like a hotel, when to us it is our home.

Andy our building manager is great. If you have an issue, maintenance or repair that needs resolving you can always approach Andy. He’ll address the issue as quick as possible and to the best of his ability. Similarly, Oxana always goes above and beyond to make sure the place is as spotless and clean as it was when we first moved in!

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

Maidenhead is becoming a commuter town. It’s got what you need ranging from food shops, clothes shops, pubs, cafes, gym and a cinema. Close to the river, for water activities, and walking. As well as being able to hop on the train and being in London in less than an hour or to Reading in 15 or so minutes. It well connected. It’s under going a lot of development at the moment which is currently quite noisy, with quite a few empty new developments going on.

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

-Limited car parking space and its cost.
-The addition of rules that get implemented after you move in i.e. Curfew for the communal area.
-any issues that can’t be dealt with by the building manager but need to be raised to essential living will require an excessive amount of chasing.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

Aircon in the flats would be great, being in an apartment that is primarily glass it gets quite out. And some windows don’t stay open on the latch meaning you cant crest a draft.

4

Facilities

4

Design

5

Location

4

Value

5

Management

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

You are right in centre of town , lots of drunk people after 10pm

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

the actual utility , we have been charge every month £80 yes for the bills and on the end surprise we end up paying almost another £300 .

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

Andy who is managing the property he is very helpful and polite

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

Great for commute, nightmare for peace and quiet.

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

I wish I knew the street noise was that unbearable through the week and specially weekends. It’s on the way for many different pubs, so expect high volume of intoxicated people, walking and shouting late night. In the summer you have to choose between closing your windows to try and have some peace or suffocate (be aware of what side of the building your windows face)

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

I did, I changed myself from living in there, flats are really small but I guess you get what you pay for.

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

Great location – a lot of shops, supermarkets and pubs around. Only 10 minutes walk to the station.

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

There was nothing that I was unaware of. I was given a thorough walk-through when I was moving in

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

The feedback was immediate and the assistance was provides as soon as it was possible

5

Facilities

5

Design

5

Location

5

Value

5

Management

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

A beautiful building just 18 minutes from central London. World class doorstep bars and restaurants. Surrounded by classic countryside views. There’s as much to do in Maidenhead as your heart desires!

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

Good – the flat retains heat well so you almost never feel the winter chill.

Bad – Due to the flat retaining heat, the flat can be unbearable during the hot summer weeks (pushing 34/35 degrees on the thermostat!) Airconditioning units would be a huge added benefit.

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

Currently awaiting a new balcony window due to a large crack on the interior glass – manufacturing fault (going on 12 weeks).

4

Facilities

5

Design

5

Location

5

Value

5

Management

I like the design layout as everything is at hand but not on top of everything else.

I am fortunate to have balcony which feels like having another room.

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

I love the professionalism with all the team at Berkshire house , they do really make you feel like you are part of their extended family. Nothing is ever to much trouble, they take the time to ask how you are and genuinely care about the response you give back to them.

I really love that Berkshire house is always kept clean and tidy, there are flowers to greet you as you walk into the lobby, it makes me really comfortable to invite family and friends to visit as I know they will always be treated respectfully by anyone they meet in Berkshire house.

It truly is a home away from home where I know I am safe comfortable and is a stylish place to entertain when restrictions are not in place.

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

I wish I had known how hot the apartment got in the summer time.

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

I have had a few issues and they have been very responsive

5

Facilities

5

Design

5

Location

4

Value

5

Management

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

Berkshire is so central to town, the station and some lovely local coffee shops and restaurants. The building is new and has a great shared rooftop space which can be hired out for private events. They allow pets too which is great, my dog loves it and he loves all the neighbours! They are also flexible about furniture and decorating as long as you return to original state on departing, so you can really make it feel like home.

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

None, Essential Living are very transparent upfront about costs.

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

The only slight thing that lets the building down is its ability to control tempature. When it’s hot the flat is hot and when it’s cold it takes a while for the underfloor heating to heat up.

5

Facilities

4

Design

5

Location

4

Value

5

Management