Ryland Street, Birmingham, B15

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

Living on a Main Street I find this apartment amazing, as it has 2 express grocery stores close by and many amazing restaurants. Traffic can get loud sometimes 6/10 but again you are on a Main Street with ample of other pros outweighing this one con.

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

I haven’t had much issues (thankfully) however, when I do have question they are going above and beyond to give me all the information I need. Example, I had a packaged delivered and I could not find it they were looking for 30 minutes to help me find it!

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

For me I think the team did an amazing job is letting me know everything before moving in from the gym, getting packages delivered, utilities and everything!!!

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

After completing my first year of residence in this building, I sincerely wish there were an option to rate it below one star. Despite subtle encouragement to submit a “positive review” for the chance to win £100, I feel it is my duty to share a truthful account of my experience — particularly regarding the unprofessional and unacceptable management practices observed throughout my tenancy. The management team — namely *Name Removed*, *Name Removed*, and certain other staff members — repeatedly demonstrated a lack of transparency, accountability, and professionalism. Promises were made and not fulfilled, and rules were often applied selectively, raising concerns about potential bias and discriminatory behaviour. The following issues "summarise" the main concerns experienced during my stay: Verbal-only policies: Rules and conditions were communicated verbally, even after multiple requests for official written terms and conditions. (evidence present) Indirect threats verbally or via emails. False accusations: Some residents were wrongly accused of inappropriate behaviour, with no apology or corrective action once proven innocent. Weed odour in premises: Persistent smell of cannabis in communal areas was ignored and not investigated despite multiple reports. "Selectively" asking people to lower the noise while others are permitted to party with no single word delivered to them (?Afraid or maybe other reasons so i cannot hint more) Unequal enforcement of gathering limits: Social facilities were restricted to eight residents, yet management-hosted events regularly exceeded this number. Parcel room issues: The parcel room is disorganised, poorly lit, and unsettling, often requiring residents to spend excessive time searching for their deliveries. Lack of empathy towards pet-phobic residents: Repeated polite requests to allow residents with pets to briefly hold them in shared areas were ignored without explanation. Inappropriate staff behaviour: Certain night staff members were noted to be monitoring residents’ social media accounts, with no acknowledgment or follow-up from management. Communication failures: Emails and calls frequently went unanswered, even when staff were visibly present in the office, as observed on multiple occasions. Doubled-Faces: Prior to signing the contract and in the process of viewing, everything seems and looks smooth and friendly, and once you sign the contract you see the other face of all of what is mentioned. Additionally, residents have faced unjustified financial charges upon moving out, despite leaving their flats in excellent condition. Meanwhile, new tenants often encounter dirty and unpleasant apartments, raising questions about the use of cleaning and maintenance fees from previous occupants. Multiple attempts to escalate the issues to the main Cortland responsible people however zero response. This is only a summary of my experience. A comprehensive, evidence-based review, supported by recordings, photographs, and documentation, is being prepared for publication on Google Reviews and social media in collaboration with consumer advocates and public figures. This aims to promote transparency, fairness, and awareness for anyone considering renting accommodation in Birmingham. I know this review is going to be taken against me sometime in the future by acting with more restrictions and bias, however i hope it reaches to people so that they consider all aspects when thinking of renting here.

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

No. All emails and calls are being ignored (This comment is following a one year experience)

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

I wish i had the option of leaving the building earlier, but what happened is that i paid the holding deposit for more than 2 months and then out of a sudden i did not receive the apartment in the given time (AFTER 2 MONTHS). Also, i was asked to pay extra monthly rent for the previous apartment and nothing is documented or mentioned in the guidelines!

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

local shops, restaurants, bars & open spaces very good. Public transport very convenient. The downside is no resident parking space. anti-social behaviour & traffic noise quite bad and feel insecure.

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

Overall very friendly team. Not very quick responding on invoicing.

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

No resident car park and lack of wardrobe spaces and not able to put computer desk in the room. Sigle sofa is too big the small size living room.

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

Advantages: Convenient location, good transportation, well-developed nearby facilities, high security, and good property management—suitable for office workers and small families. Disadvantages: Limited space, lack of privacy, few parking spots, noise issues, high maintenance fees, restricted renovations, and complex neighbor relations.

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

The building management has been responsive and efficient, addressing any issues promptly and ensuring that maintenance requests are resolved in a timely and professional manner.

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

I wish I had known that the sound insulation between units is not very strong, which can sometimes make it a bit noisy. It’s not a major issue, but something to be aware of. I’d also recommend getting to know the building management team early—they’re very helpful and make settling in much easier.

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

close to local shops, coffee shops, and public transport. bad is that sometimes loud during the weekend

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

the moment a concern is raised, they contact me to ensure that all problems have been solved in a smooth way,

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

everything has been made clear before moving in making the moving in promise very easy