Roland is one of 40 residents who have moved from the Aylesbury Estate into brand new Notting Hill Genesis homes at Manor Place Depot (just off Walworth Road)
Having lived in his home on the Aylesbury for 25 years, it was a big change for Roland but he was ready for the move.
The thing Roland liked most about his Aylesbury home was the community and the company of the people who lived nearby. He admits when he first heard about ‘Notting Hill Genesis’ he was a bit concerned as he thought the homes would be in west London. However when he found out that the new homes would be less than a mile away in the Southwark neighbourhood that he knows and loves, he was "very excited". He says, "I trusted Notting Hill Genesis because I thought whatever they give me is going to be brand new. Thank goodness I trusted my instincts – it's a beautiful flat!"
With CCTV cameras and an intercom entry system, the best thing for Roland about his new home is the security it offers. He explains, "Safety is the most important thing. I am better off security-wise and have peace of mind. It feels very safe here and that’s the most important thing to me."
Roland moved from a two bedroom home in Taplow on the Aylesbury Estate to a one bedroom flat at Manor Place Depot. As a result his rent is lower because he no longer has to pay the bedroom tax. However he still has plenty of space. He says, "My bedroom is bigger than my Taplow bedroom and there's more storage here." He also now has a balcony. "I didn't have a balcony before - it's literally a breath of fresh air!"
Describing his experience with Notting Hill Genesis so far, Roland says, "I have been made to feel welcome by Notting Hill Genesis. They are very open and helpful and I can speak to someone one-to one. It's a personalised service. I had a small issue with a leak when I first moved in but that was dealt with swiftly and efficiently - the repair people rang me before they came, arrived on time and fixed the problem. It’s a first class service!"
Roland is keen to emphasise how much happier he is in his new home. He concludes by saying, "Where you live really affects your life a lot. Truthfully this is perfect for me. I would recommend it to everybody."
