City Lodgers - Riverside House

This student hall deserves a 1 because surface level the rooms are cute and the views are great, however, I have had a number of issues living here which have completely tainted my experience unfortunately. Another resident has posted their review from a few months ago in regards to heating and water issues etc. And these are completely true accounts of the actual experiences being had here by students. I see Jeannie has commented trying to dismiss the students concerns and say that these issues should have been raised however as you can see these issues are well known. she has done the same with me as well, I feel sorry for her because I know she can only do so much and is at the hands of homes for students, the company that is running the accommodation needs to give their heads a shake and should be ashamed that they are continuing to take students money to live here when they can't provide basic necessities like heat, water, and now electricity. This is going to be a long and honest review of my experience, so buckle up. I 100% would advise you not to waste your money here as it is a rip off. I spent almost $20,000 CDN here to not be receiving basic necessities. I am still currently living here and have been since last August, to put things into perspective they have shut the building down because they have had to turn off the water (this is the fourth or fifth time now and these water shut offs lasts for days) and electricity because of an on going issue in the building with major flooding. I have been staying off site for the last few days because I haven't had access to water in my room since last Saturday, this means no functioning shower, toilet or sink to wash dishes get drinking water etc. I had to go out and purchase water for myself because bottles of water were simply thrown in front of the reception desk and students just grabbedas much water as they liked in a free for all, the trash from the water bottle packaging was sitting in front of the reception desk for days because they no longer have dedicated cleaning staff in the building. Again, water is a basic necessity and the fact that we have had to go without it on more than one occasion is totally unacceptable and makes the building unlivable. They should not be continuing to accept money from students to live here if they cannot provide basic heat and water.Outside of flooding there have been many instances where hot water has simply just not been available for no explainable reason and I, as well as other students as exemplified through other reviews here, have had to go with taking cold showersSecurity issues - other buildings around the city have staff who are at the front desk at all times for security purposes, this is not the case at riverside house and we have had, on more than one occasion, people from the public gain access to the building and try to enter students rooms, this a serious, safety issueThe cleanliness of the building, the common areas of this building are disgusting, I have taken video and photographic documentation of thisThe lift has not been fully operational since May and this is an accessibility issue, if you're unable to use stairs this is not the place for you as you have to go up to an upper level to access the lift.We had only one operational washing machine for the entire building for weeksBlack mould growing in the basement where tenants do their laundry - this is likely from the many floods in the building and is a health and safety issueMy windows, along with everyone else's I'm sure, have never been cleaned on the outside and I can barely see out of them, they have been this way for most of my stay hereMy radiator never worked for the entirety of the year, I raised the issue on more than one occasion with Jeannie and Reza and the issue was never rectified, I was provided with a space heater to use throughout the entirety of the year, which would smell of burning and start to smoke and couldn't be kept on for extended periods of time.

The accommodation is so nice and modern! Never had any issues with anything in my room! Good sized room with nice views. Ali Zabe, the customer service advisor who works at the front door, is so helpful and friendly! Never felt hesitant if I had an issue or query! Would highly recommend just for the staff alone!

This student hall deserves a 1 because surface level the rooms are cute and the views are great, however, I have had a number of issues living here which have completely tainted my experience unfortunately. Another resident has posted their review from a few months ago in regards to heating and water issues etc. And these are completely true accounts of the actual experiences being had here by students. I see Jeannie has commented trying to dismiss the students concerns and say that these issues should have been raised however as you can see these issues are well known. she has done the same with me as well, I feel sorry for her because I know she can only do so much and is at the hands of homes for students, the company that is running the accommodation needs to give their heads a shake and should be ashamed that they are continuing to take students money to live here when they can't provide basic necessities like heat, water, and now electricity. This is going to be a long and honest review of my experience, so buckle up. I 100% would advise you not to waste your money here as it is a rip off. I spent almost $20,000 CDN here to not be receiving basic necessities. I am still currently living here and have been since last August, to put things into perspective they have shut the building down because they have had to turn off the water (this is the fourth or fifth time now and these water shut offs lasts for days) and electricity because of an on going issue in the building with major flooding. I have been staying off site for the last few days because I haven't had access to water in my room since last Saturday, this means no functioning shower, toilet or sink to wash dishes get drinking water etc. I had to go out and purchase water for myself because bottles of water were simply thrown in front of the reception desk and students just grabbedas much water as they liked in a free for all, the trash from the water bottle packaging was sitting in front of the reception desk for days because they no longer have dedicated cleaning staff in the building. Again, water is a basic necessity and the fact that we have had to go without it on more than one occasion is totally unacceptable and makes the building unlivable. They should not be continuing to accept money from students to live here if they cannot provide basic heat and water.Outside of flooding there have been many instances where hot water has simply just not been available for no explainable reason and I, as well as other students as exemplified through other reviews here, have had to go with taking cold showersSecurity issues - other buildings around the city have staff who are at the front desk at all times for security purposes, this is not the case at riverside house and we have had, on more than one occasion, people from the public gain access to the building and try to enter students rooms, this a serious, safety issueThe cleanliness of the building, the common areas of this building are disgusting, I have taken video and photographic documentation of thisThe lift has not been fully operational since May and this is an accessibility issue, if you're unable to use stairs this is not the place for you as you have to go up to an upper level to access the lift.We had only one operational washing machine for the entire building for weeksBlack mould growing in the basement where tenants do their laundry - this is likely from the many floods in the building and is a health and safety issueMy windows, along with everyone else's I'm sure, have never been cleaned on the outside and I can barely see out of them, they have been this way for most of my stay hereMy radiator never worked for the entirety of the year, I raised the issue on more than one occasion with Jeannie and Reza and the issue was never rectified, I was provided with a space heater to use throughout the entirety of the year, which would smell of burning and start to smoke and couldn't be kept on for extended periods of time.