Morris Homes at Houlton, CV23

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

My greatest grievance is that Morris Homes will say and do anything to avoid addressing anything more than the most trivial issues with your property during the two year guarantee period. They are currently trying to tell us that in order to address our quagmire of a rear garden that it is up to us a) not to walk on it and b) spike it with a garden fork. We have three dogs, where are they supposed to go? ? They also laid an extra long spirit level across our driveway to prove it was level and had the audacity to ignore me when I point out that there was a sizeable gap in the centre, underneath the level!!!!!

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

How bad they would treat us once everything was signed and sealed. Can only say to perspective buyers - go and look somewhere else!!!

What is the best feature of your home:

Very hard to say anything positive when you have received such appalling after care, knocks any positives into the ether. They don’t treat you with any respect whatsoever and I am utterly appalled at their behaviour

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

As the area is still developing there is lots more planned to come, but currently it’s great having a park just across the road, a co-op, local restaurant and school and nursery facilities all within 10 minutes walk from the house. Being tucked back slightly off the main road means we hear very little traffic and in the summer all the children in the street play out the from as it’s lovely and quiet.

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

Initial snagging was dealt with within days of reporting it. Any other issues have been dealt with quickly and then they’ve checked in to make sure the contractor had come and completed the work.

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

The primary school is very in demand, so check availability before committing to a move as more often than no there aren’t spaces available to move children into the school unless moving before the reception intake application.

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

Good - location to major cities, close to town centre, local shop to get groceries Bad - no pub, tuning fork very expensive

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

Yes on the whole they responded quickly and sorted the issues

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

Snagging - making sure everything was looked at more carefully as we missed some bits

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

We love the location,it's quiet and plenty of greenery, not too many shops around though, the public transport not the best.

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

The building management responded to any issues quickly

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

We loved the “idea” of Houlton after spending time in the area walking. The master plan showing all the green space and the future plans really made us want to be part of this development and community. There are always plenty of people working on the upkeep of the green spaces and hope that this will continue as the area progresses. There have also been a lot of lovely community activities available which have really brought the community together, including during lockdown when we needed some fun to brighten the days. There is only one restaurant at present which is really nice but a bit pricey to use too regularly, we are hopeful for more options and possibly a pub option eventually. There are no shops on the development yet but a co op is being built which will be a great help to have nearby. Transport is not too much of a problem for us but there doesn’t seem to be much of a bus route to and from the area at present. Our street is lovely and we have really bonded with our neighbours and love the fact we are a close and have no through traffic, the main Houlton road can get a bit busy with traffic to the dirft on shift change and there is an awful amount of speeding including around the playground. We hope this will be addressed soon as the screeching and rally driving is definitely a big issue. Hopefully before anyone gets hurt. There are also some areas in need of better lighting, park area and some of the walkways and possibly addressing wheelchairs accessibility on some of the walkways. Overall we love being here and accept that there is a long way to go before things like the above can be addressed and we look forward to seeing the area progress and flourish. Much love from Mackingham Palace ??

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

How much stress the final move was going to be using “move with us” absolutely useless company and caused an enormous amount of problems and pressure.

Please share one thing (or more) which you would change about your development:

We didn’t get any planting or trees on the property which we were shown on our original plan and all other houses did.