Mercer West & Madison East, LS2

The apartments are aesthetically really nice and the furniture is really comfortable and good quality, but the contractors definitely cut costs during construction and this shows. There have been a number of issues with the apartment which are purely down to ‘cowboy builders’ (e.g pipes not being properly connected, leaks, marks and scratches on surfaces from building materials). The water pipes are also super small, so they block easily and the smell is awful. I think that if the contractor had invested a little more money then things would be so much better. The amenities are good; the gym is great! It’s clean and usually not too busy. The communal areas are comfortable and clean, although the communal toilet is almost always broken. The roof terrace is also unfurnished which I know a lot of residents are disappointed by; I think marketing-wise there should be a rethink as a lot of us do feel misled having been advertised a roof terrace when in reality it’s just a glamourized smoking area. The building is pet friendly which is fabulous! Pets are also housed at no extra cost which is super. However, people’s dogs have been peeing in the corridors and down the walls (at least they have in the Madison East building). I was walking the other week and urine was dripping down one of the walls and pooling on the floor. This has happened before in that spot and I can see the paint starting to erode from the acid. The puddle was there for DAYS and just dried down to be sticky, I’m not sure why this wasn’t cleaned. The other times it’s happened it wasn’t cleaned either. I think that the cleaning really needs to be improved in this instance as having so many urine stains when I’m paying this much for rent isn’t just disgusting but unacceptable. There was one instance when I was coming home from work and there was a dog poo in the corridor. I know that falls more on the resident who owns the animal but it’s just revolting. Please hire a carpet cleaner!! Maintenance are friendly and efficient once they’re in your apartment but it takes weeks for someone to actually come and fix something. I’m not sure if this is down to poor triage, lack of staff, or problems with the app but it’s not ideal. They do have a new maintenance person starting though, and I know that management are intending to fix the issues with slow responses. The team are a bit of a mixed bag. They’re usually helpful but they lack warmth and honestly most of them seem really depressed to be here. They’re all lovely people but it’s a bit of an odd vibe sometimes. Particularly from *Name Removed*, who is so slow and never seems to know what is going on. I’ve seen him stood smoking with residents down by the music college, and once I saw him getting into a car with a resident, I think he's here for mates rather than to do a job. He seems to be a member of a resident clique where they all stand around and smoke. I’m not sure that it’s really appropriate. I just think the staff might need a little more training? Most of this does fall to ineffectual management; I’ve never met the manager but she seems like a nice enough lady. However, I know someone who lived at one of her previous buildings and apparently there were a lot of similar complaints about her and her team. I think she just lacks an eye for detail. The urine in the corridors, extremely slow maintenance, slow team. The bin store is DISGUSTING, it stinks and is always overflowing. I avoid going down there because it’s so horrible. The other thing I wanted to mention was security. The security guards are mostly super friendly and I’ve never felt unsafe living here! However, there was once instance where a homeless man had got in and was sleeping at the end of a corridor. I’m sure he was harmless and just looking for a place to sleep but people here have children so it really can’t happen again. We do pay to live in a secure building. Overall, I’d give this place 3/5. The team are fairly friendly but lack warmth and management definitely needs improving. Cleanliness leaves something to be desired due to the animal urine and although the location is convenient there are a LOT of homeless. I’ve seen drug deals, fistfights, and arson from my window. I’ve never felt unsafe as the homeless community in Leeds are generally friendly and keep to themselves but it’s something to bear in mind, especially if you are a young woman. The apartments are aesthetically really lovely and although they are quite expensive I have been mostly happy here.

It’s a great place to live. The building is well kept and the communal areas are always very clean - the cleaners do a great job. The flats/ floor designs are well thought out and the staff are super friendly (a HUGE shout out to Sheldon for making my time here so fab, and to Adil, Ray, and Andy for the warmth/helpfulness). The property management could be improved, however. The communal toilet is always broken and there has been a noticeable drop in the stocking of the kitchen supplies/goodies. I am also eager for the roof top garden to be open as advertised in my initial viewing of the property.

The landlords like to perceive this place has a community feel and inclusion for all, they will certainly advertise that and tell you that, but it is a complete lie, the turnover in tenants and staff is astonishing and considering this building has just passed its one year mark tells you everything you need to know, people are already leaving after the first year due to ridiculously high rent, poor management, and feeling fed up and unsatisfied. They're more interested in bleeding you dry of money than retaining their tenants. So don't be fooled by their sales tactics and falseness. They will also tell you that you will have a lovely roof terrace, that's the same lies they told everyone over a year ago and we are still yet to see anything other than slabs of pavement and people using it as a smoking area. A lot of dodgy people hanging around the building, seen the police inside the lobby multiple times, they'll tell you that this is a safe area and they have 24 hour security, but if this is such a safe area why would you need security and have police showing up? You are right next to York Road which is known for drugs and the homeless. Bike store gets broken in to and bikes robbed to the point where they're saying they're not responsible and to put bikes in your apartments (something the contract states not to do) same goes for the parcel room, parcels going missing/doors on lockers not closed, and not receiving the codes to let you know parcels have arrived. No electric bikes or scooters allowed but landlords can park their electric cars in the 15 spaces in the basement leaving no parking for tenants as this is a 300+ apartment complex, if you do get a space get ready to pay extortionate costs for it, you're better parking your car in close by places such as the hotels as their rates are far more affordable. Apparently this building is for young professionals, not students.... complete lie. The bin store is DISGUSTING. Dog poo and pee everywhere in the garden and even in the lobby area and lifts I have spotted dog pee multiple times. I am sure I will get a response from the management here saying otherwise to make them look 'good' to potential new tenants, but I would really like people considering this complex to look elsewhere because you will be wasting your money and get sold the dream like we did. You can save yourself easily £250-400 going to another complex within Leeds (LS1/LS2) that offer far better amenities and services.

The gym facility is really great and useful, it saves so much time and despite its size the quality of the equipment is brilliant. On top of this this co working space makes it easy to focus and get those focus hours in to get what you need done . 5*

The facilities offered by the building are modern and well maintained. I rarely face any issues, but these will be sorted quick once I report them. I’m looking forward for the roof terrace design to be finalised as it has a nice view onto the city and will be a nice place to chill out at. The management and RSAs are very helpful, they’re there if I need help with my property or just looking for personal advice. Sheldon, Ray, Adil and Daniel are great, they’re always up for a good chat. 🙌