Bagel Factory, E9

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

Hackney Wick is a great place to live. There are loads of bars, cafes and restaurants within a short walk. From pizza places to fine dining, and amazing BBQ from Uncle Hons at All My Friends. Victoria Park is only a few minutes walk away for summer evening picnics, or to visit the weekly food market. There is a nice community in the building. Everyone is friendly, and on hand if you need a pet looked after when away, or to borrow something.

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

There is only on street parking, but you don't need a car here to be honest. Hackney Wick station is a 2 minute walk away, with easy links into town.

What is the best feature of your home:

It's well finished with underfloor heating, built in Sonos and we love the exposed brick work. Having the gym is a real bonus.

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

I've lived at the Bagel Factory for five years and really enjoy living here. Hackney Wick has a lively atmosphere and there are plenty of great restaurants, bars and clubs. Having the canal, Olympic Park and Victoria Park on your doorstep is great. The area feels really safe and we have had no issues. The building management clean external / internal parts of the development regularly so there are no issues with litter. Hackney Wick overground is only a few minutes walk away and is very reliable.

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

We love the communal rooftop space which has great views. The concierge are really helpful and friendly. The gym has everything you could need.

What is the best feature of your home:

The design of our flat is well thought through with good storage space. The location is fantastic.

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

local shops, restaurants, bars & open spaces are excellent. Parking availability, bin collections, anti-social behaviour & traffic noise are poor. There have been 2 deaths in a minutes walk from the development. Police cordons have been around the development on 3 occasions since living at the development. Travellers site has been a nightmare to live opposite, police get called to the site often and I have personally witnessed a lot of crime living in this development. Neighbours in this development throw a lot of parties.

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

Level of crime and every single year, 1-3 times a year, there are heating and hot water issues where there is no hot water for days sometimes. They have a bad heating system which will cost leaseholders thousands to replace/repair. The lifts are already faulty after 5 years. Bikes have been stolen from the bike store on 3 occasions or more.

What is the best feature of your home:

Location to station, local shops, restaurants, bars & open spaces are excellent

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

My apartment is well designed and I am very happy here. The local area has a great buzz with a variety of pubs and restaurants. We also have a great bakery, delis and other shops. Transport links are excellent.

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

This is still being pursued but has required significant effort

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

Would have been good to know that Aitch group are a classic rentier. Reviewing data at companies house suspect that Aitch group is involved in tax fraud and screwing suppliers

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

We live right next to a dual carriageway which means there's always noise no matter what time of day. Transport links are good, there's buses and train stations within walking distance. Lots of nice big parks nearby and good school links. There's no big supermarkets around which means you have to walk at least 20 min for products of good value for money. There are limited food places around, generally good social behaviour around compared to other areas of London.

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

They are very poor in this matter. We moved in Jan 2020 and since then we've had no heating and no ventilation. Walls have been cracked and damaged and they don't come and fix it

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

I wish I knew that the rent goes up by a large amount every April. I know they go up within a few months normally but for us, it went up by about 30 pounds in less thank 2 years!