Ridding Road, DH7

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

Living here is generally good. There are some handy local shops and a few nice cafés and restaurants, plus well-kept parks and green spaces. Transport links are convenient with buses and trains, though traffic can get busy at peak times . On my street, parking can be tight but bin collections are reliable but overall it feels safe and friendly.

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

The building management has generally been responsive and helpful, addressing issues promptly and keeping me informed throughout the process.

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

I wish I had known that parking can be quite limited during busy times, especially in the evenings. It would also have been helpful to know how long some maintenance requests can take, so new residents can plan accordingly.

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

Close to the shops and town, walking distance from my work. However, the tenants on the main road steal from the gardens and people leave the council gates open.

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

Took a while to get contractors in for the damp, then were told that a painter was needed after. Why not get them in at the same time

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

We wish we had known that the building was refurbished properly

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

Close / walking distance to town centre for shopping and transport links. Nearby local pub. Street is lovely, no issues with noise or ASB and neighbours are friendly, mostly keep themselves to themselves but generally very friendly. No issues with bin collections or traffic noise. Parking can be quite difficult as everyone has cars but I think everyone understands this and there’s never any disputes over parking spaces. Some of the surrounding streets are a bit problematic but that can’t be helped and it’s the same wherever you go really, no issues from any surrounding streets spill over into this street.

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

Responded very quickly and kept us updated frequently on attendance to property

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

If you’re from out of the area, it has very hard water here which can leave stubborn marks and build up of limescale on things like shower screens, shower heads sinks and also kettles. This can’t be helped but just to make them aware and to bare in mind

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

The green is a lovely area that offers a nice view from our house. Lovely for walking the dog and food facilities. The maintenence of the green is very good. The back of the properties is full of litter. We cannot sit out when the weather is nice because there is a strong smell of cannabis which also means we have to keep the door closed. The local Street with shops and other amenities is terrible. It's dirty, smells and feels very unsafe. I wouldn't be walking to the shop when it's dark.

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

When following yhe correct process it is efficient.

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

How bad the street was that has the local shops on. Also, that although we had to go through quite a though background check to prove our income and both working full time etc , it seems this rule isn't for everyone as half the people now living here dont work. So there is a mixture of working class people and those who don't work and just sit smoking weed all day and have friends round doing the same thing. Not what I wanted or expected.

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

Scholars View is close to main bus links to Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham all with regular services throughout the day. The local shops are convenient to the site and have good opening hours. Parking on the site is excellent with individual spaces and plenty of spaces for visitors. Bins are collected on Tuesdays and have never experienced any issues with this. The site has CCTV - and we have never experienced any anti-social behavior. There are lots of walks in nature very close by including large wooded areas with deer, foxes and birds of prey. A 15 - 20 minute drive will have you at a beach that all cater for dogs all year round - perfect.

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

Yes - we had issues with the front door - was reported and sorted within hours

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

Garden storage - needed to get this as there is not outside storage. Also would really have liked to have an outside tap.