10 out of 10

Just like Paolo Nutini, we always strive for top marks, and we’re pleased to say that in our last survey, that’s exactly what we achieved.

In our latest questionnaire of tenants moving in or moving out of Around Town Flats’ homes, 100% said they would recommend us to a friend. Plus, when asked about our moving in service, 100% of people rated it very good to satisfactory.

It’s important to know how we’re getting on, so thank you to all those who took the time to complete the survey. As always, if you want to feedback on our service or would like to suggest how we can improve, please email us on info@aroundtownflats.com

Posted on February 9, 2010

Dealing with Damp

Damp can be caused either by water seeping into a property from the outside or through condensation created as a result of normal, everyday activities.

Excess moisture can come from leaking pipes, wastes or overflows, rain leaking through the roof where a tile or slate is missing, or from water spilling from a blocked gutter.

These causes of damp often leave a ‘tidemark’ and if this is the case, you should contact Around Town Flats, who’ll carry out repairs to remove the source of damp.

If you do not think the damp comes from any of these causes, it is probably condensation.

Condensation occurs when there is an excessive build up of moisture in the air inside the home. There is always moisture in the air, but people create additional moisture in their homes by:

  • Cooking or boiling water
  • Taking baths or showers
  • Using paraffin or bottled gas heaters
  • Drying clothes inside

Warm moist air condenses and forms water when it cools, for example when it touches a cold surface. In your home these are outside walls, mirrors, windows, wall tiles and even on clothes.

If this condensation cannot dry out, it will cause mould to form on any of the surfaces on which it settles.

Preventing mould

There are a number of things you can do to limit condensation forming:

  • Ventilate to let the moisture out, by opening a bathroom or kitchen window for a while to let the steam escape, or using an extractor fan
  • Cover pans and turn down the heat when boiling water
  • Switch off boiling kettles
  • Dry clothes outside, or in a well ventilated room
  • Do not use unvented tumble dryers
  • Wipe down surfaces where moisture has settled
  • Never cover up airbricks or ventilators

Did you know?

  • Each person gives off around ½ litre a day in water vapour through breathing
  • Washing up produces 1 litre of water vapour a day
  • Washing clothes (if not in a washing machine) creates 2 litres a day
  • Drying clothes indoors can produce up to 6 litres a day

Posted on December 10, 2009

Constantly good

Finding a house for six could have been a difficult job, particularly as many of us wanted different things from our potential new home. Right from the start, the team at Around Town Flats was helpful, friendly and, most importantly, had a house that was right for us.

As a wheelchair user, I needed a home that gave me extra space and easy access, such as wide corridors and ensuite bathrooms. Around Town Flats has worked with me to support my individual needs, and as a result we have been in the house for two years now. They were also able to meet other requests, such as off-street parking for the car owners, so it made the challenge of finding a home so much easier.

During our time in the house, we have needed some repairs carrying out, and Around Town Flats have always responded within the guaranteed times and made the process really easy.

We are really happy with the service provided by Around Town Flats and would definitely recommend them!                          

Jay Tavernor, Fallowfield

Posted on October 13, 2009

The best laid plans…

When I flew out of New York headed half way across the world, I never imagined for one second that I would have nowhere to stay at the other end. Having slipped through the university’s net following a ‘system fault’ I had just a couple of days to find a new home before university term began.

Trying out the city’s public transport system for the first time, I got off one stop too early during my first day of house hunting. Making the most of my unexpected stop-off, I tried the first letting agents I saw. They couldn’t help, but pointed me in the direction of Around Town Flats – and that’s when life started to get a little easier.

Within minutes a potential flat in Fallowfield had been identified and we were on our way to view it. The studio apartment turned out to be exactly what I was looking for and the next day I moved in – easy as that. Because of the quick turnaround (the previous tenant had only moved out the day before), there were a few minor repairs that needed doing. I reported these, and they were done very quickly.

The repairs team came while I was out exploring my new surroundings, but before they arrived I spotted something else that wasn’t quite right and left a cheeky note saying ‘while they were here, would they mind…?’ I arrived back to find that both jobs had been done. Simple.

I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t found Around Town Flats. They took the stress out of a difficult situation and let me concentrate on what I was actually here to do – my Masters degree.

 Kathryn Meng, 22, Withington

Posted on September 24, 2009