Cortland Broad St, B15

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

I want to start by saying that my first year here was genuinely one of the best living experiences I’ve had. There was a real sense of community, the building’s first anniversary celebration, New Year’s gatherings, neighbours who felt like family. I still look back at photos from that time with a smile. Sadly, that Cortland no longer exists. The building has gradually shifted to student accommodation, and with that shift came a noticeable drop in how residents are treated. The atmosphere in communal spaces has become unwelcoming. Practical issues that have built up over time: 1. The bin room is in a genuinely shocking state. I stepped in today and the level of dirt was such that I was genuinely concerned for my health. 2. There is persistent, strong odour in the lifts and corridors , no ventilation, no resolution. 3. The communal rooms look impressive but are largely unusable. There isn’t a single glass available anywhere in the building, residents have to walk back to their own flat just to get a drink of water. The coffee machine has also been removed. 4. Monthly residents’ meetings are scheduled at times when almost nobody can attend, and have been cancelled on several occasions. The reception situation deserves special mention and to be clear, this is not a criticism of the staff. The reception team are doing their best in an impossible situation. Staffing has been cut significantly most of the time there is nobody at the desk, and at best one person trying to manage everything at once. You can see the exhaustion and low morale on their faces. The warm, genuine smiles that used to greet you are gone and I don’t blame the staff, I blame the system they’ve been put in. The clearest example of how serious this has become: a couple of weeks ago, an ambulance arrived at reception looking for a resident. There was nobody at the desk. I happened to be passing on my way to the gym and personally walked the paramedics to the resident’s apartment, because there was simply no one else and a life was potentially at risk. I later found out the sole reception staff member had been taken off the desk to show an apartment because the leasing team no longer exists and reception is now expected to cover that role as well. This is a structural failure by management, and it has real safety consequences.

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

Residents’ meetings which are the main channel for raising issues — have been cancelled on several occasions and are consistently scheduled at times when most residents cannot attend. Beyond that, there is little evidence of issues being acknowledged or acted upon. The problems I have described (bin room hygiene, smells, understaffing at reception) are ongoing and unresolved.

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

I wish I had known how much the building would change. When I first moved in, it felt like a genuine community, well-managed, welcoming, and full of life. That is not what it is today. The communal spaces look impressive, but in practice there is nothing available to use. It wasn't always like this there used to be pots, cutlery, and kitchen equipment available. Now you'd be lucky to find a handful of items. Among residents, the general feeling is that management is cutting costs wherever possible, which would explain why even the most basic amenities have quietly disappeared.

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

The area around Broad Street is one of the main attractions of living here. There is a wide range of restaurants, cafés, and bars within a short walk, covering everything from casual to upscale, and the quality is generally very good. Supermarkets and everyday shops are easily accessible, and Brindleyplace and the canal offer pleasant open spaces to walk and relax. Transport links are excellent. New Street Station is within walking distance, the tram stop is close by, and bus connections across the city are frequent and reliable. Living on the street itself is generally fine. Bin collection is managed through the building rather than the street, parking can be limited given the central location, and there is some traffic noise at peak times, as expected in a city-centre location. Anti-social behaviour has not been an issue for us.

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

In the first year, the response to issues raised was prompt, professional, and properly followed through. In the second year, this has changed significantly. Response times have become slower, issues often require repeated follow-up, and in some cases meaningful action only seems to happen once matters are formally escalated. The responsiveness that defined the earlier experience is no longer consistent.

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how much the quality of day-to-day living here depends on the management team rather than on the building itself. On a viewing, you see the apartment, the amenities, and the communal spaces, and on those measures the development is genuinely impressive. What you cannot see is how responsive management will be when something actually goes wrong, and how consistently that responsiveness is maintained over time.

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

The stuffs are friendly and enthusiastic about all apartment issues. No matter what problems you have, they are ready to solve them. But the quality of infrastructure can be improved. The wall and ceiling crashed after 1 year living.

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

Issues and problems are responded and solved efficiently and effectively.

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

Don't forget to claim the move in reward of 300 pounds

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

Everything is perfect, the best place in Birmingham. The accommodation is clean,comfortable,and well maintained.the staff are very friendly

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

the management are very friendly,helpful,and always quick respond to any questions or issues.

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

I wish we have accommodations and stuff like you in Kuwait

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

Overall, everything about living here is very good. There’s a great range of local shops, restaurants, and open spaces, and transport links are convenient and reliable. The street is generally quiet, parking is manageable, and bin collections are regular. The only downside is that there is no reason of closing lounges for residents after 12, which can be inconvenient at times.

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

Actually they are doing all the best because they are all one team and as a said they are very kind and welcoming

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

be honest, everything has been really good so far. We’ve had a genuinely positive experience since moving in. The area feels safe and welcoming, the neighbours are friendly, and we haven’t had any unexpected surprises — which I know isn’t always the case when moving! It’s been exactly what we hoped for. If I had one small tip for a new neighbour, it would just be to introduce yourself early on. It really makes settling in feel easier and more connected.