The Helm, BH8

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

The Helm is located near town, in the middle of the university housing, near a small Tesco and a large Asda. It is also just down the road from the drug rehabilitation housing and a couple of doors down from a pharmacy that is a methadone clinic. There is loud shouting outside every side of the building about 50% of the nights. The streets are populated with undesirables throughout the day. The building next door has also recently had planning permission to become a 20+ story high rise so I’m also waiting for the noise from the demolition to start

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

Responses received are - this has been noted, I’ll look into this, it’s on order and will be here in 2 weeks. Nothing is done, despite the consistent issues raised

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

I wish I knew how poorly this building is being managed as it has potential. I also wish I knew about the fixed energy supplier charging double the average house hold

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

Amazing as a 10 minute walk from the centre of town. Close to lots of shops food and and others short walk from the beach too

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

Yes and they have been sorted everyone asked sometimes taken a while but has always been done

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

How expensive it is here and asked to move to a bigger flat a few times which hasn’t happened but these things happen

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

Crime and drugs are the worst aspects of the area, significantly impacting the quality of life for residents. The prevalence of drug-related activities has led to increased violence and a general sense of insecurity. Additionally, constant theft has become a pervasive issue, with homes, cars, and personal belongings frequently targeted by thieves. This ongoing problem creates an atmosphere of distrust and anxiety among the community, making it challenging for residents to feel safe. Efforts to address these issues often seem insufficient, further exacerbating the negative impact on the area's overall appeal and livability.

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

Poorly. The area's issues are inadequately addressed, with minimal effective intervention from local authorities. Residents frequently express frustration over the lack of visible law enforcement and insufficient community support programs. The strategies implemented to combat crime and drug problems often fall short, failing to create a meaningful or lasting impact. This inadequate response leaves many feeling vulnerable and unsupported, eroding trust in the systems meant to protect them. Overall, the handling of these issues is severely lacking, contributing to a decline in the area's safety and quality of life.

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

In this area, anything can get stolen, and neither the management nor the police seem to care. Residents often report thefts, only to be met with indifference or minimal action. Personal belongings, vehicles, and even home security systems are not safe from theft. The lack of effective response from both property management and law enforcement leaves residents feeling helpless and frustrated. This apathy contributes to a growing sense of insecurity, as people feel their concerns are ignored and their safety is not a priority for those in charge.

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

Living at The Helm in BH8 as a student was perfect. The local area has a good range of shops, restaurants, and bars, perfect for socialising.

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

The building management was responsive and addressed issues promptly. They were always available and helpful whenever I needed assistance.

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

I wish I had known about the occasional parking difficulties during peak times. Also, it's good to be aware that traffic noise can be noticeable during rush hours. Despite these minor issues, it's a great place to live with fantastic amenities.

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

The Helm is situated in a very good location, pretty much close to everything, train station, supermarket, cafes, beach etc but you pay a high price to have that! The bad things about the Helm is that it is surrounded in student accommodation, on three sides. They are incredibly noisy, dirty and have no respect for other residents in the area, the area is surrounded in litter, broken glass, dog mess! On the other side there is a building about to be knocked down and in its places a 23 story building built so that will be incredibly unpleasant once that starts and at the front of the building is the main road. The area surrounding the Helm is infested by students and drug addicts, so generally isn’t pleasant nor that safe, unless you pay £120 a month for parking in the Helm car park there isn’t any safe or free parking in the surrounding areas either.

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

Little to none, it takes an age for anything to ever get sorted

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

How poorly looked after the building is and the extreme prices they charge for everything.