APO The Holloway, Blucher Street, Birmingham, B1

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

My apartment was clean, modern, and well-furnished with sturdy furniture. (The mattresses were on the firm side, which worked for me.) The soundproofing is excellent - despite being next to a busy roundabout, it was quiet with the windows closed. Air ventilation was also very good, which made the space comfortable. The location is outstanding being just a short walk from New Street Station, the Bullring, the Mailbox, and the Chinese Quarter. It's easy to get groceries or find a restaurant nearby. Parking is quite limited, especially for loading and unloading if you do not have a spot in the building, and the bin collections area sometimes gets backed up (although I believe this is an issue with the external contractor rather than the property management).

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

Apo's staff were great - very responsive and helpful. If you have any problems, they respond quickly and fix the issue quickly.

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

I did not expect the electricity costs to be as high as they were during the winter months. For a two-bedroom apartment, I spent on average £300–350 per month to keep the apartment at around 21°C. However, this apartment was completely electric, with no natural gas or alternative energy sources, which explains the higher running costs in colder months.

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

Excellent location for access to the city centre and very close to New Street station. Good convenience shops and pubs/bars nearby. Main downside is the extremely busy Holloway Head road right next to the site, regularly congested and regular antisocial driving late at night. Illegal parking and pavement parking is also common around the site.

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

Maintenance has generally been speedy, although some things have taken a bit longer to get sorted. No major issues.

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

Convenient and well run place to live. Great location and building management are good. Not the cheapest or the most homely, but very convenient.

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

Living in this area has been an absolute delight! The range and quality of local shops, restaurants, and cafés are excellent, offering a vibrant mix of cuisines and shopping options within walking distance. The open spaces and parks nearby are beautifully maintained, perfect for relaxing walks or outdoor activities. Transport links are incredibly convenient, with frequent buses and a nearby train station making commuting seamless. The neighbourhood feels safe and welcoming, with friendly neighbours and minimal noise. Parking is generally hassle-free, bins are collected promptly, and there’s a strong sense of community spirit. Overall, it’s a fantastic place to live with very few downsides.

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

Building management has been exemplary! Any issues raised are resolved promptly, often within the same day, and they are always polite and attentive. Their proactive approach ensures everything runs smoothly, which gives great peace of mind.

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

I wish I had known sooner just how fantastic this development and area are—I would have moved here much earlier! The sense of community, excellent amenities, and high level of service from management truly make it stand out. It’s even better than it appears on viewings or online descriptions.

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

The location is based very close to Chinatown. A few minutes walk from Mailbox and the Grand Central Station which makes it very convenient for commuters like myself. Only thing is there’s no on-site parking and if you were to park on the street, some spaces close to the premise are not allowed and can cost you a fine. However, bin collections are frequent but bin rooms can smell sometimes, especially with large build ups of trash. Traffic noise isn’t too bad and behaviour around the building is good, mostly working class residents, so no need to worry about students making noise.

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

Yes, many issues have been resolved but the recent issues I’ve raised on the app have been ignored and not rectified. Tap water pressure is minimal and answer from guy fixing it was it’s like that, even though the tap in the other bathroom has much better pressure. Also the lights in bathroom still haven’t been fixed.

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

The flat deposit has to be disclaimed that you have to pay each cycle. I wan’t made aware of this when I signed up and now I’ve paid more in these fees than paying the normal deposit route.

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

The apartment is block is really close to the city centre, in walking distance of most amenities in Birmingham.

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

Quickly and easily through the dedicated app. Responses are addressed quickly when concerns or queries are raised.

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

BCC Council Tax are a nightmare to deal with, for a council that has declared bankruptcy they do not make it easy for you to pay them, even when you are actively trying.