HomeViews gives you detailed reviews
Why use HomeViews?
HomeViews is the only dedicated reviews site for residential property. Sites like Google Reviews and TrustPilot offer reviews of developments, but they don’t verify whether the people writing the reviews actually live there.
At HomeViews we thoroughly check each reviewer’s details to make sure their address matches the building they’re reviewing. Our reviews are also far more detailed than other sites, giving you insights on the building, its management, the local area and much more. We’ll look at that in more detail below.
So where do I start?
Firstly, you’ll need to narrow down your search to a few areas. HomeViews Area Guides are a useful way to do this. These give you an overview of an area, along with details of the highest-rated buildings there
If you already know where you want to live, you can also search the site for a specific location. Zoom in and out on the map and use the RENTAL ONLY tab to narrow your search to purpose-built rental developments.
Compile a shortlist
Once you’ve found your area, have a look at the rental buildings listed there. You’ll see a Star Rating next to each scheme – this is an overall score for the building, as rated by its residents.
Click through onto each building’s page and you’ll see much more detail. Residents review their development on a number of factors, so you can choose your home based on what’s important to you.
Look at the building’s scores for facilities, design, location, management and value. We also add an ‘Award of Excellence’ for buildings that are among the best for each of those categories. You’ll also see a ‘Transparency’ score out of three – this tells you how many reviews that building has and how recent they are. The more reviews and the more recent the better.
Great resident team! The facilities are good and the park nearby help us to exercise more. The tenancy agreement are very straightforward and I love the 6 months tenancy break clause that gives me flexibility. Maintenance team are super helpful, I requested for my faulty washing machine to be replaced and it was done swiftly. Recommended!
– Verified Resident on HomeViews, East Village E20 by Get Living
Scroll down and you can then read individual reviews from residents, like the one above. They describe in detail the best and worst things about the development and its local area. They also list things they wish they’d known before moving in
Finding the one
Once you have your shortlist, check and see if there are listings for available properties on that page. You’ll also find listings and lots of useful information here on lovetorent, including contact details and local schools or amenities.
Now that social distancing measures are being relaxed it’s a good idea to go and visit the buildings that you like the look of. The team there will show you around and be able to answer any questions you have – perhaps based on what you’ve read in our reviews!
5 things to look out for
We’ve got thousands of reviews on the UK’s very best rental buildings. From looking at all these reviews there are certain things that residents tell us they really value about their homes:
- Resident events and a strong sense of community
The best rental-only buildings are built around a sense of community. Management teams create events that help you meet your neighbours and make new friends.
- A great management team and concierge
The way a building is run has a huge impact on residents’ day-to-day lives. Things like maintenance issues being fixed quickly, parcel collection systems and a friendly face to welcome you into the building make a big difference.
- Pet-friendly options
One of the best things about rental-only buildings is that many allow you bring your pets. Most have dedicated floors or sections of the building, and many also offer a ‘pet station’ in the foyer, with treats and cleaning facilities for muddy paws!
- A gym and fitness facilities on-site
Residents really value a good-sized gym and fitness facilities on-site. If this is important to you, check how busy it is and make sure you’ll be able to get a slot!
- Communal outside space
Some form of communal outside space really helps residents to connect with neighbours and easily get some fresh air. Roof terraces and communal gardens are a great facility to look out for, and communal space inside is also very popular with renters.
Other things that residents say they really appreciate include bills and WiFi included in the rent, and parking – particularly for visitors. Also check bike storage options if you’re a cyclist.