Mohamed Adel
12 August 2023
I moved to this place for only three weeks before having to move and keep paying until I find a take over which took three months!. Moved into the flat with a racist and mean girl who kept shouting at me getting my food out of the kitchen. There was also weed smoked in the flat which got them opening our rooms at random times even when not there. My request to change room has been declined. Last day there I called the police because of how complicit is the management before I left for my own safety. The girl still made problems with the guy who took over from me with no response which honestly shows how wicked she was. This is just an example of of safety in this place. You're by yourself self, no support or protection.
Lived here for two years because only left my room to go to uni and back the first year, prices started going up and up, constant parties to the point I couldn’t sleep and horrific safety breaches Wouldn’t sort rat infestation, man who lived next door outside the gates threatened someone with a chainsaw, the meeting place is basically only used for drinking
I was informed that the pipes are never cleaned which leads to the water being contaminated, this causes limescale and black residue to come out of the taps. This meant we had to buy bottled every week. Not only was the water contaminated but numerous bathrooms flooded during my stay, this lead to a damp smell developing over time. As well as contaminated water the flush on toilets did not work, you have to punch them to flush. The shower temperature changes constantly and is never stable, the water pressure is also non existent. On multiple occasions the water has stopped running completely with no reason to. The mattresses provided were to hard with springs sticking out. Me and many others had to spend extra on mattress toppers to get a full nights sleep. Plug sockets are places poorly in the rooms so you need a extension cord. Drug use was also a issue with flatmates and other residents would hotbox multiple flats leading to a strong pungent smell. There was also drug dealers on sight selling class A drugs, onsite staff just sent a email saying do not sell or buy drugs. Onsite security was average, however the main security gate and turnstiles were broken multiple times throughout the year which led to them being open 24/7 meaning anybody could come in. The fire alarms and smoke alarms are really sensitive, this meant you were worried about doing things that may set them off such as straightening your hair. On the first week the fire alarm was going off continuously in the same night for 2 hours because someone had to travel from Middlesbourgh to fix it. The rooms are different layouts meaning unfair pricing for the space you get. Radiators release a smells of burning also. All though there was issues with maintenance problems the onsite maintenance team were great and happy to help with any issues, they also resolved all issues without problem. However the receptionists and onsite staff were rude, passive aggressive and ignorant. To make it worse the staff would constantly post abuse against anyone that speaks out about the issues with the accommodation online. Current events meant that uni was cancelled due to a PANDEMIC, all students were told if possible to move home. An email was sent informing residents that there was individuals self isolating but not providing further information about the matter. All tenants are being forced to pay rent regardless of the current climate and situation, even though all universities including Sunderland are stopping all rent payments. If tenants spoke out about the poor treatment then staff members would harass them on the facebook page to back down accusing them of things they never said. There was a case of mumps on site again no specific information told to residents just a basic email. The website and images also failed to show the rough area surrounding the accommodation, this led to students feeling afraid to go out at night. There is also a alley beside it called stab alley. The website also failed to mention that the “24/7” reception was never open and if it was provided little help if that. Website also failed again to tell tenants that the “onsite bar” was a derelict building with not one ounce of alcohol in the place. The WiFi provided on site was abysmal, constantly under maintenance and never worked.
I stayed here for my first year as it seemed better and more modern than the other student accoms available. When I first viewed the accom we were taken to one of the bigger flats and nicer so everything seemed lovely big kitchen and living area - brilliant! However when I moved in we had the smallest kitchen and living space I've ever seen. The lounge only had 4 seats yet there were seven living in the same flat. There was sick down the fire exit in our flat that we asked them to remove and they told us it was our responsibility even though it was the students that lived before us. The rooms were not cleaned to a standard expected prior to moving in. By this I mean I found dirty hair bobbles, lighters and empty baccy pouches down the side of my bed. No one really goes to the bar hence it's never open. The shop is okay and was quite useful during my time there. Tbh it's quite out the way from town and doesn't seem the best area hence the name stab alley just outside the accom. I would not recommend walking alone down there at night!! Apart from all the negatives I have listed above. It's cheap and short week contracts are available. It's good to make friends if you are new to the area like me. Also the student mini bus will pick you up outside the gates and take you to uni every morning for free that's also a bonus! Dominos is just down the road! It's okay for first year and that's about it.
Said they provide all pots and pans but when i arrived they were left from last years tennants and unusable. Flat had not been cleaned, even found an old letter down the side of the desk. Shower still had hairs in from last years tennant. It was disgusting. Also not a lot of cubpoard space or fridge space. Only 5 washing machines between about 300 people, its a nightmare trying to wash your clothes
This is just a really fun place to live - especially if you're a first-year. As others have mentioned, it's easy to get to know people with the bar, freshers events, etc. Security staff are always there and are really helpful. There's free wifi, a dishwasher in the kitchen, really good (but cheap) food and drink at the bar, and a shuttle bus all the way to St Peter's as well.
I didn't really know what to expect at university but living here made it easy to settle in. The management were helpful and everyone was friendly. They run events in freshers week which makes easy to make some friends straight away and they even have their own bar! The on-site shop and cash point are really handy and it's good to have keycard access and know that there's 24-hour security. There's just a really good atmosphere all the time and I've made some friends for life. The car park and free shuttle bus to campus are handy too. Also the kitchens are fully equipped so you don't have to bring much, and there's even a dishwasher which is amazing!
At first I was very happy, everything is provided, good sized bedroom. Our kitchen was too small for 7 people, with one fridge and little space in cupboards and bench wise. When we moved in a number of things in the kitchen didn't work and it took weeks for them to be replaced. The bedroom heaters are useless so you freeze in the winter. I dropped out of university and they were no help when I left, I had to continue paying my rent and management were not friendly in helping with the matter. It's a lot of money for this accommodation which is far from the city centre, although the onsite shop is useful it's not ideal. If you need anything shops are about ten minutes away but they close early and the area is not nice at all, it feels unsafe and the locals are quite intimidating. I didn't enjoy my time here at all, the onsite bar was closed down and there was never an atmosphere there to begin with. No one made an effort to make friends with other flats even if you lived right across from them. The pictures make it look all fun and lovely there but the experience is worse the longer you're there, it's overpriced. I'd have far rather lived somewhere less pretty for a better experience. Overall I would not recommend living here.
Overall a very good place to live! Clean,safe and got everything you need! A great shop on site! Great price! Just don't expect a 5 star hotel!
Not sure you would like staying here unless you want to be kept awake every night guarantee you won't get much sleep. Music, noise all night long. Things being broken, such as, windows and doors in numerous flats. Numerous noise complaints which does not really get dealt with as the security tells them to turn the music down & soon as they leave it goes back up again. The bar got closed for the rest of the year due to the lack of people going there. People would just rather pre drink in there own flat. I mean it's not all bad you will make some amazing friends that you will stay in contact with.
The Forge is ideal for first years who want a true taste of Uni life. And by that I mean endless late nights, noise complaints when you tiptoe down your corridor and the worse Wi-Fi known to man. Don't get me wrong I like the place because of its security, on-site shop and bar, and of course the concept of being around so many people of a similar age that share the same interests. But you have to make a few compromises when you look at the place. The show flat is all very well and good, but you have to book a room with the understanding that the show flat is about 5 times bigger than the average flat.
The rooms aren't too bad I guess, the security is nice but the management is s**t. They do not deal with the problems well, constant problems and stupid rules. Bus is always late, it's 'within walking distance' but noone wants to walk 15-20 minutes in the rain. It's not too bad when it comes to student accommodations. Least there is a dishwasher here!
The Forge is great value for money - one of the cheapest accommodations in Sunderland and the rooms are actually nice. The staff have always been friendly to me and my flat and the on site shop is and fed bonus.
My room doesn't get sunlight, it's so cold that my pyjamas goes damp if left under my pillow, everything has mould on it even though I clean twice a week, the walls are so thin I can feel my flat mates phone going off and everything I mean everything will be broken or just was never there. The heating supposed to be on for 2 hours, but it goes off in a single Breaking Bad episode so lets say the real time its on is 45min but it doesn't really matter because believe me Ive checked, it warms the first inch of the room and nothing else. Many people try electric heaters to compensate but the forge just confiscates that so you're back in cold room where anyone above 5 foot 6 will get chill burns on their feet. They threatened to kicked me out in the first term for having a map on my wall, just a map. The showers somehow always get mould on but no one knows where the mould comes from, but you won't be in for too long since to shower, you press this button which turns the water on for 20 seconds. I would only recommend this if my evil streak was on same level as Pol Pot or Hitler.
My first year at university has been great and maybe awful accommodation is just part of the package, however I would not choose the Forge again. In regards to their system it is unorganised and frustrating, if you make a complaint you will wait around 2 days for a response. We didn't have hot water for the first 6 weeks of university, the wifi is dreadful (both speed and general faults), as well as using old fashioned systems e.g. the washing machines only take 1 pound coins or simply don't wash your clothes. Amongst many other problems, I wish you luck if you choose the Forge.
The Forge has been a nice accommodation to spend my first year of uni, a lot nicer than most halls I have come across. The on site shop has been a godsend for all of us. However, one thing about The Forge that pushed me to live here was the on site bar, which shut down before Christmas. It was said that it wasn't used enough, however we went frequently and enjoyed spending time there but were always asked to leave early or finish out last drinks then head out so they can close, even though it's meant to shut at 1am or until everyone has left. On one occasion, we sat down with our first drink (we had planned to have many more) at about 9pm and were told they were shutting after we had finished, so we felt watched and rushed. Then a large group of about 10-15 people then entered and they were told they can have a drink if they hurry up even though it was only around 9.30. This I believe is the reason the bar did not get much buisness as people gave up going knowing what would happen. I think it is such a shame as I had many good nights in there and hope that for freshers next year it will be different. Another negative is the fining system. Something that was already broken in our flat that we was unaware of as it was on the ceiling which non of us could reach (all being fairly small) we got fined £100. It was the fire alarm and when the engineers came to fix it I asked how it had been damaged and he said it had been knocked. He also said when it would of been knocked it would of triggered an alarm. An alarm had never gone off for our fire alarm, therefore proving we did not knock it, however it is still our fault and we have to pay the fine.
Lat year I came to look at this accommodation with my parents and it seemed just what I needed/wanted. However when arriving at the Forge I found the organisation to be questionable and that was just the start of my problems. The distance from town is not ideal as it means that on a night out a taxi costs £5 each way. The bar on site closed in January due to lack of use, but as exam season starts they will regret this. The shop has now cut it's open hours from 10am - 10pm to 12am - 10pm however the staff take a lot of breaks so sometimes you can't even buy anything. But actually about the flat itself; my own personal room is fine, all the appliances work and minus being misinformed about putting up posters it is a good room. The only issue i have is the heater within the room; it is small and can only be put on for 2hrs max at a time, it does warm up the room but in winter the flats are freezing and the heaters do little to help. The communal spaces (e.g. living area, kitchen, toilets, showers,hallway) are quite the opposite of okay as in my flat; the dishwasher has never worked, due to plumbing problems part of the ceiling in the Kitchen has broken off and a pipe leaked. The tap in the kitchen sink broke, the showers have broken 3 times (showers which you have to press the button on every 10 seconds to continue getting water), the toilet has broken once and the walls in the hall are falling apart. SOME of these issues were fixed but only weeks later after persistent complaints, however some are issues are still yet to be fixed. The worst thing of all is the fact that the front door to our flat was broken by someone from another flat in the beginning of October, this meant that no keys were necessary to enter the flat as the door just pulled open, this issue (which was a safety hazard) was fixed at the beginning of JANUARY! The staff within management are rude and very dismissive of complaints as well as very hasty to blame the flat for any issues/problems instead of understanding some things just happen without a persons intervention. I am incredible disappointed with The Forge and with that I am very excited to be moving into a house next year where I don't have to worry about appliances that just stop working and not being able to use said appliance for the next few months. Although it is not the most expensive accommodation and the size of the flat is adequate, I don't believe you get your moneys worth. I would NOT recommend this accommodation
On the open day they show you the biggest flat to make it seem likes its going to be great, when in reality you'll probably be in a tiny 7 bed flat, with the worlds smallest kitchen and living area. The rooms are probably the only good thing about the place, they are decent sized and the beds are surprisingly comfortable. The showers are useless as you have to keep pressing the button for the water to work. The kitchens are gross and nothing ever works. The living area (in my flat anyway) is tiny, and no way can the amount of people who live in the flat fit in there at once. The heaters are only allowed to be on for 2 hours at a time, so you wake up freezing and have to walk to the other end of the room to turn it back again. Would highly recommend not living here.
Looked nice when orginally moved in but as soon as you move in you'll get grief from security walking in your flat/room unannounced, everything breaks in the kitchen, unless you're cool with loads & loads of noise every night from other flats it'll drive you crazy and the showers are on a limited time of 20 seconds (you have to the button continually) which is really annoying. So basically don't move here unless you're crazy ????
Well, my flat didn't have water hotter than 1 degree for about two months, I'm about to finish my first year here and my internet still doesn't work at all. Management is a f**king joke. Security guards are the best (no sarcasm intended, they are genuinely good guys). Jobling house is creepy as f**k, Marr house is the boyo. Prepare to be egged, water ballooned, and screamed at.
Whilst most rooms may be a basic, single bed with only a handful having ensuites, there's everything you really need! The atmosphere all year round is immense, everyone's got mates somewhere and there's always something going on. Location isn't a problem, only a 5 minute walk from the metro...it's safe as houses aswell.
the rooms get mouldy and condensed really quick, our flat has had nothing but problems. If you don't like partying and loud obnoxious drunk students you'll hate it. But you meet some amazing people in accommodation, and it's an experience you won't forget.
