Aqiil

Jan 27, 2025

Worst Accommodation Provider

Worst Accommodation Provider in Leicester I had a larger, modern, secure room in Freemans last year for £7k. In contrast, Opal Court's "Gold Ensuite Plus," which I’m currently in, costs £8k and some change. The rooms are identical, with the only difference being the ensuite if you choose that option. Ironically, the kitchens in the flats with the Bronze package are better than those for the Gold package. I live in a flat of five with just one fridge, while the Bronze flats have two fridges. Their website claims you can "enjoy great views of the city," but my bedroom faces the HSBC office. I never get natural light without someone looking into my room during their meetings. Rooms with actual city views are rare, and you’d be lucky to get one. The site also promises a "spacious kitchen," but the kitchen is the same size as the room I had last year, which was cheaper. Their kitchens are essentially a lucky draw: some are nice and modern, some are not; some have spotlights, while others don’t; some are massive, while others are as small as your bedroom. The study area, games room, and private dining room are poorly maintained, and security rarely addresses issues. The TV hardly works, and if someone does something wrong, everyone is punished collectively. IQ periodically closes shared spaces instead of banning individuals who misuse them, which is unfair since we all pay for these amenities. They advertise "24/7 staff presence," but this is questionable. A few weeks ago, there was a party that started around 7–8 PM and went on until 2–3 AM, with illegal substances being consumed and the site vandalized. The police had to intervene because the so-called 24/7 staff couldn’t stop the party, control entry, or even notify residents in advance that multiple parties would take place. The music was so loud that the bass could be felt in the 7th-floor kitchen where I was. The staff at IQ is also very rude when you seek help. The CCTV they claim to have is subpar—limited to the building exterior, courtyard, and ground floor lift entrance as well as the lift. Everyone I live with has had at least one item stolen since moving in, and there’s no way to identify the thief as there’s no CCTV on the residential floors. The lift in my block is constantly broken, with two metal bolts sticking out where the handrail has been broken. This a serious safety issues especially when there's alcohol spilled over the floor causing a slip hazard.This has been the case since September 2023, when I first visited a friend in the same block. I’ve personally tested accessing the premises and reaching my room without a key, and for a company that boasts about security and CCTV, it’s shockingly easy to enter the property. There are countless more faults with IQ Opal Court. I’ve visited their other Leicester property, Grosvenor House, and it’s not much better. Even paying rent is an issue. I’ve paid multiple times using Convera, yet Emma, the site manager, has been rude over the phone, claiming I haven’t paid despite my bank and Convera confirming the transactions. This has happened repeatedly, including with my January payments, which I’ve proven were processed, but IQ insists they never received the money. Save yourself the hassle, money, and headache by choosing better accommodation options like Study Inn, Freemans, Nixon, private accommodations—anything but IQ-provided accommodation. *EDIT* Less than 24 hours after posting this review, Emma has already approached me to question it. It’s clear she is unhappy with the review and my comments on her behavior. At approximately 3:20 PM on January 23, 2025, she sat at the desk in the foyer and acted rudely and disrespectfully. To my surprise, her colleagues also joined in with the abuse. Emma clearly has hard feelings about the matter, as she discussed my personal finances and information out loud in a public setting while other residents and contractors were present on-site. This is honestly something I never thought I’d experience with a grown woman.