Southlands Farm Way, Wickford, Essex, SS11

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

The area is very quiet and feels safe, which makes it a pleasant place to live. There is a bus stop nearby with frequent services, and it only takes a short time to reach Durham city centre, making commuting very convenient. I have not experienced any anti-social behaviour, and traffic noise is generally low. The only downside is the public EV charging point within the development. At around 60p per kWh, it is much more expensive than many other public chargers in the area and does not offer good value for residents with electric vehicles. It would be great if the charging price could be reduced in the future.

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

Whenever I have reported an issue or had a question, the management team has been helpful and professional. They responded within a reasonable time and kept me informed throughout the process. The issues I raised were resolved satisfactorily, and communication has generally been clear and efficient.

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

I wish I had known that the on-site EV charging point costs around 60p per kWh, which is more expensive than many other public chargers in the area. If you own an electric vehicle, it is worth comparing charging options before relying on the charger within the development. Apart from that, I have found The Oaks to be a quiet, safe and enjoyable place to live.

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

This development is in a great location with lots of amenities nearby. Shops witihin 5 mins , schools also nearby.

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

Place first is Brilliant and so are Miller homes development in responding to issues raised

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

Nothing bad to say at all. we were provided with everything prior to moving in

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

Repeated attendances from emergency services. Police and fire crews due to disputes with other tennents in their flats neighbouring ours. Late night early morning it feels like weekly one of them will attend for a domestic incident or arson. To the point had I known just how often this would happen I certainly would not have moved there. I’m not comfortable leaving my daughter at 17 at home alone at night when I work nights now.

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

I initially had a leak they responded within 24hrs.

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

The constant domestic incidents with neighbours a few doors down and next door is draining when I work 13hr shifts I need my sleep and when police are attending it’s not quiet.

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

The area has lots of amenities such as shops, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, aswell as essential transport links to Leeds and Manchester via bus and train. However the area is quite unsafe with some incidents occurring such as the our buildings front door getting smashed by someone and then a few weeks later the back door has been smashed aswell. The building is incredibly sound proof until you have to open the windows in summer because of the heat. You can hear people in the night clubs until 4-5am shouting, screaming, fighting etc. then you have people revving their engines on the road outside.

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

Any issues we have raised have been dealt with swiftly. The only issue that causes delayed response is when the doors get smashed. Obviously waiting for parts takes time but it makes the building feel vulnerable and insecure.

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

I wish I had known about the night clubs and strip club outside. I also would have spent more time in the town centre to get a proper understanding of the behaviour in town and the kind of people it attracts.

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

I have been living in this area for about three years. The location is very convenient, and the neighbours are friendly and get along well with each other. However, when I walk my dog, I sometimes notice dog waste left on the ground. It would be very helpful if the property management could install a few dog waste bins along the nearby streets. I believe this would help keep the area cleaner and improve the local environment.

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

The building management has generally responded promptly and professionally whenever I have raised any issues. They have been helpful and have made an effort to resolve problems in a reasonable amount of time. Overall, I am satisfied with their service.

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

I wish I had known that the mobile phone signal in this area can be quite weak due to its hillside location. I also wish I had known that there are not enough dog waste bins nearby, as this would help keep the area cleaner. Other than these minor issues, I have been very happy living here.