Hello, I'm Tom! I have been looking in the lovely SE23 area as a first time buyer (and lurking on the forums) for several months now and have found a flat in the Greystead Road estate that is just about affordable.
Does anyone have any opinions or advice they could share about the flats? Any problems you've heard about? I know they're not the prettiest of flats, but the community and the commute into Brixton are big pull factors! Very grateful for any replies!
Excellent for the Fairlawn school catchment area.
Wonderful views from the flats on higher levels.
Not a known criminal hotspot or anything like that.
The commute to Brixton can be a bit shoddy. Plenty of complaints from others on the forum about the capacity and regularity of the P4, if that's how you were thinking of commuting.
Which building is it?
My mother lives in the high rise and has problems with noisey neighbours playing their R&B hits at full volume. Make sure you thoroughly investigate recent noise problems in that block via the Lewisham Homes ASB team. They are a bit incompetent and I'd hate to see you move in and suffer like my Mum has.
Thanks for your responses, will definitely approach the ASB team. I'd be in the taller block aswell.
good luck with it.
Negotiate the price down because of the noise problems.
They will be doing more major works (windows) soonish so do check that out too.
Hi Pico,
Have you got any more info about the windows? Has your mother been told it's imminent?
All the best.
I'll private message you.
Well the great news is that since a series of complaints went in Lewisham Homes have taken action and the culprits given written warnings. It has been quiet for months now so a great relief. Hope your move went well and you are enjoying your new home!
This is why we want council owned / managed flats (when tax payers money is involved) and not private landlords.
They actually take care of the issue with their residents and have a lot of powers to enforce them. Unlike private where it's a free for all.
Yes, absolutely. A council tenant stands to lose their home if they do not behave with decency. It's a much longer road with a private home owner to get changed behaviour.
Watch out for the service charges. It maybe ok for now, but if the council plan to do any extensive work on the block, as a private tenant you could end up paying thousands as your contribution towards the cost. Southwark private tenants discovered this a few years later. A one off bill for improvements could range from £16k to £40k.
If Florrie's law applies:-
The Directions limit service charges relating to the costs of repair, maintenance or improvement
•to £15,000 for a dwelling located within a London authority, and
•within any five year period.