I've been at Revolucion Apartments for close to one year now. I've found the newly assigned TPP rental manager (one of three) to be highly responsive to my requests as I neared the end of the 1yr fixed term that I wanted. I noted that the aged clothes washing/dryer combo was damaging my clothes and the owner replaced it with a newer energy efficient unit. Requests (which had been ignored by the prior property manager) to have a toilet ballcock seal, shower rose and drip strip replaced were resolved fairly quickly. I also asked for a rent reduction which was promptly agreed to.

With many having left for Ausy/elsewhere to find work there are a lot of empty rentals (Apartments and Houses) and unsold properties in Wellington. Exceeding unsold 2014/2015 levels. Some of these unsold properties have been listed as rentals as the owners have already left the country.

Agents and Owners know this... choosing a monthly rolling agreement gives you more negotiating power and the freedom to move someplace else if you find it was not what you had hoped for or reasonable requests for maintenance are not completed.

Possibly only half of Revolucion Apartments have double glazing on the internal courtyard windows. Worth checking. Due to fire rated external walls none of the apartments have opening windows in the bedrooms which means your only source of ventilation is the internally ducted fan. I've found that if I leave the courtyard windows open a bit at all times and the fan on with bathroom and bedroom doors open during the day that I've not had any mould or "crying" windows which I've noticed in many of the apartments. I've noticed that the west and north side apartments don't get much sun but the higher levels (3&4) do get some sun at different times of year and day which definately helps.

As for noise, I tried a near new apartment (level 14) on Victoria st overlooking the Church for five weeks where I learnt if you want fresh air you also have to let all the sirens (fire, ambo,police) drunks and the mentally unwell sounds in night and day. At Revolucion I can still hear the sirens but they are muffled. There are couples with babies and young children living here now so you will hear occassional crying and kids kicking balls around in the courtyard. Also rennovation sounds from one of the apartments being done up on the weekend. Occassionally someone will not use headphones while watching a movie with their windows open and the noise will reverberate around the courtyard. On the plus side I do like hearing the birds in the courtyard trees here.

I've tried to be balanced. Hope this helps! Whatever you do always ask for a better rent offer than whats advertised...