Review of Places for People, RMG & East Wick + Sweetwater
After four years of unresolved issues, I can no longer recommend this development in good faith.
This review covers all parties involved: Places for People (developer), RMG (managing agent), and the East Wick + Sweetwater project itself.
1. Unsafe Balcony Design
The balconies in Silk House were built with no proper protection between floors. Residents are regularly exposed to falling water, food, hot liquids — and even pet urine — from balconies above. Despite acknowledging that the design was improved in later phases, Places for People refuses to fix or address the issue for Phase 1 residents, hiding behind the excuse of outdated “compliance.”
There is no accountability, no humanity. They treat residents as an inconvenience once properties are sold — all while charging service fees equivalent to developments with amenities like gyms or concierges (which we don’t have).
2. Service Charges: Inflated & Potentially Unlawful
RMG has, for four years, been unlawfully charging VAT on management fees — despite both entities operating under the same VAT number. This resulted in roughly £60,000 in overcharges across the estate, only uncovered by residents’ own investigation. Even with inflated fees, the estate is poorly maintained and green spaces are left neglected. There is a reason why everyone is taking them to tribunal!
We bought here expecting quality and long-term care. Instead, we’ve been overcharged, ignored, and left to live with known design failures — while later phases benefit from the lessons learned at our expense. If you value fairness, transparency, or basic decency: AVOID.