Stylish Accommodation in Southampton 10

I was very disappointed and wouldn’t stay here again. It’s poor value for the money, especially with so many other places available. The host responded, but I arrived to a dirty home with no running water or toilet paper. The host talked me through turning the water on, which was easy enough, and I’d already planned to go to a shop soon after arriving. The street parking and outside of the building seemed fine, and check-in was easy, with all the codes working. Inside, though, the stairs and lift smelled of mildew, like damp carpet. It wasn’t overpowering, but it was noticeable. The listing photos made the place look much nicer than it was, and we could hear noisy neighbours, though I think the thin walls and building were more to blame than the neighbours themselves. It seemed to have been cleaned before sitting unrented for a while, since there was hair and dust everywhere from the bedrooms to the bathroom. There was no vacuum to deal with it, and nowhere to hang anything because there was no closet space. The kitchen was barely usable, with only the bare minimum of pans and storage containers. The freezer didn’t keep food solid, even when I carefully shut the door. The TV wasn’t smart and seemed to be from before 2005, so it was useless for a traveller. The beds were old, broken and saggy, with springs that poked my back. One was mildly sleepable, but none were comfortable. The large bed was actually two twins under one big blanket, one badly slouched and busted, the other extra springy. I couldn’t even manage one night on them. I nearly slept on the couch despite its huge stain. The bathroom fan didn’t work and there were no windows, so the mildew smell came back, though I couldn’t see any mildew. I’m glad I was on my own. I’d have been embarrassed to bring my family and probably would have left to find somewhere else.

We didn’t feel safe for even one night and had to leave. The place was loud and chaotic, with people screaming at all hours, and it didn’t feel suitable for a couple or anyone else. When we arrived, the apartment hadn’t been cleaned and was filthy. There was a very strong smell of weed throughout, making it hard to breathe, and water was running down the walls, suggesting serious structural or plumbing problems. In its current condition, it shouldn’t be listed for rent. Avoid it.

The apartment felt grubby and tired, and the pictures had set expectations much higher. Security was a concern from the start because the outer doors didn’t lock and anyone could enter the building. The apartment smelled of cigarette smoke. Only two of the main blinds worked properly; the rest had to be pulled down and raised by hand, and about half the windows wouldn’t open. The washing machine worked, but its door couldn’t be opened. The bedroom heater was broken, melted and leaking fluid, while the lounge heater couldn’t warm the room enough. The shower hose was hanging off, and the bathroom had a strange smell. The hob was rusty and things were generally dirty. Kitchen utensils were okay, but there weren’t enough plates, bowls or glasses. The freezer compartment was dirty and frozen over. The kitchen also had out-of-date soy sauce, a dirty salt pot and a minging pepper shaker. One sofa bed was completely broken; the other was only a little better, but usable. The bin area was disgusting, and another resident was leaving mattresses and rubbish in the corridors.

The location was ideal, but the flat was dirty and needs a full deep clean. The floors hadn’t been cleaned properly, and the cupboards and microwave were dirty too. The microwave needs replacing. There were stains on the sofa, and the communal stairs and lift had vomit in them.