Charles Church

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

The good definitely outweighs the bad. Shops and amenities in close proximity, and public transportation is of an adequate value.

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

They’ve fobbed us off ever since my 12 month was up and gone. Even on issues that occurred before the 12 month period.

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

To ensure all snag list items were completed, and that the property came equipped with solar panels.

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

Free hold property but have to pay service charge to a company called Remus. 30% increase from price advertised for yearly service fee. Private road but others come and park and block drive.

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

Poor Phoned up to raise an issue Was told I had to fix the problem. Then 3 weeks later I get an email to say it will be looked into. However no trace of my phone call or issues raised. All a mess!

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

Not worth paying the extra for a new build finish. Looks good on the surface But poor finishing and builders warranty is all a marketing tool

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

The development is probably amongst one of the good location with proximity to some good schools , retail park , 10 mins drive to Touchwood shopping center and even quicker to Shirley High Street. With most of the Shepherds Green Road used by staff at AUDI for parking , driving during weekdays sometime is dangerous specially where the road bends. repeated escalations to AUDI management and even property mamagent team hasnt really helped. So far i have felt safe to live at this development.

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

Charles Church customer services has always been delayed with almost never a followup . You would end up wasting time on call. Frequent changes at their customer services team also doesnt help. Some of the issues reported in July last year are not yet resolved.

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

Its always good to hire a professional to go through any issues at a house before you sign off. We had to get a number of issues fixed after we moved in and its generally not easy once you are in.Property Management fee was hiked right after the first year which was not mentioned at the time h

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

While only being a resident for just under 1 year, I can honestly say that the area definitely has more good points than bad. I’ll begin by noting that for the young family looking for decent schools for their children then Shirley, Solihull is a definite winner. Secondly from Shirley, Solihull to Birmingham city centre there is ample choice in regards to dining options. This includes traditional pub grub, Italian, Asian etc. Thirdly transport links to all major areas are well equipped and for the avid shopper then each nearby area will definitely have what you need.

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

After a few time chasing, issues do finally get resolved.

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

In all honesty myself, my daughter and my wife are more than overjoyed with our home.

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

The area is ideal. There are plenty of amenities including supermarkets, gyms and pubs. Transport links are great being close to the M40, M42, M5 and M6. We are also located close to train stations with links to both London and Birmingham. Conveniently located to Birmingham Airport. Parking on the street is an issue given it is a private estate but no restrictions so lots of local businesses flood the area with their staff parking. Bin collections are never an issue.

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

Reluctantly. Have had an array of issues which should have been sorted prior to signing the property over to us. This included a garden which they were aware flooded to extractor fans not working, non existent earth wires in the electrics. Some light switches and fans were not connected up properly, resulting in the builder having to re wire rooms.

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

To have a professional come and check around the property for snags to ensure the builder fulfilled their responsibility of making the property suitable.