PLATFORM_ in Edinburgh, EH6

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

There is extremely limited parking availability, especially considering the size of the development - despite this during viewings staff still advertise free parking. The bins are poorly managed and rubbish often piles up and is then spread by seagulls and rats, including used menstrual products. Platform is close to some public transport links and is within walking distance (~15 minutes) to bars and shops.

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

Some of the staff are fantastic and really kind and helpful (particularly Ewan), however many are rude, dismissive and are quick to blame residents without listening to concerns. Emails from residents are regularly ignored for months at a time or are never responded to - not quite the luxury service they advertise. Sometimes maintenance requests are responded to quickly and taken seriously, other times you simply never hear back.

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

I wish I had known the level of stress that living here and the actions of building staff would cause - you feel like you’re constantly waiting for the next issue to come up.

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

Overall, I've been happy living here. As it's located in the heart of a busy city, both the advantages and disadvantages of a central location are to be expected. The main downside is the poor soundproofing, as noise from neighbouring flats and the hallway can be quite noticeable. My biggest concern going forward is the 24% rent increase. Unfortunately, my salary has not increased at the same rate, so I am genuinely concerned about affordability in the future. While I am otherwise happy with the property and would like to continue living here, I am uncertain whether I will be able to do so if rental costs continue to rise at this level.

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

The maintenance team is efficient, professional, and has been very helpful whenever assistance was needed. Management performs well in some areas; however, there is room for improvement in communication, decision-making transparency

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

There are some challenges with deliveries. Food delivery drivers are not permitted to bring orders directly to apartment doors, so residents need to collect them from the main entrance. For heavy-item deliveries, residents are required to meet the delivery personnel at the main entrance, escort them into the building, and accompany them out afterward.

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

No parking availability, no supermarkets nearby. Bins are regularly left out near the gate and overflowing so the seagulls get into them and it gets everywhere

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

No they are ignoring us when we asked to have a discussion about our rent increase. Emails are frequently ignored with staff saying they have been locked out of their email accounts

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

That my rent would go up 24% in one year and that management would ignore us

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

I moved here a couple of months ago and the location is a bit of a mixed bag. Since the site used to be an old John Lewis warehouse, it’s tucked away in a slightly industrial pocket. Heading south towards the city centre is fine, but walking north past the warehouses at night can feel a bit dodgy and sketchy. The biggest downside is the lack of immediate amenities—there are no big supermarkets within arm's reach, and the nearest Chinese grocery is a 10-12 minute walk away. Transport is okay if you're heading to Princes Street or Fountainbridge (buses 10, 36, and 11 are close by), but commuting to the University of Edinburgh's GS campus is a pain as it requires a change. On the plus side, home deliveries and takeaways are super reliable here. As for the street itself, traffic noise is non-existent if your flat faces the courtyard, though the bin lorries at 7 AM can occasionally wake you up.

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

The onsite management and maintenance team have been fantastic and incredibly efficient. When I logged a repair ticket late on a Friday night, they showed up first thing Monday morning to sort it out. It is a massive relief not having to argue or chase up a private landlord like you usually have to do in old Edinburgh flats.

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

I wish I had known how intense the combination of a west-facing flat and the building's excellent insulation would be. Even though I knew the orientation when viewing, you don't realize until you live here that the flat gets absolutely baked by the afternoon sun. It's only May, but the rooms are already getting a bit hot and stuffy because the building traps heat so well. Also, because our flat is right above the communal bin stores, the noise from the morning bin collections is way more disruptive than you'd ever anticipate during a quick daytime viewing.

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

Great community, local facilities and shops are great and convenient, no traffic noise and have parking available

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

The building responded rapidly to my issues and sent Darren Berry to help

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

I think I did know enough before moving in, including setting up direct debit etc.