Ludlow has been managing a property for me since March 2007. Problems: (1) Pre-tenancy The fiasco began with several 'negotiators' from the same office competing with each other - taking deposits etc even before I had a chance to agree anything with no obvious communication between them. Finally I agreed to a prospective tenant and a holding deposit was taken and his details were obtained for referencing. The tenant (from the Netherlands) was 'referenced' (in which - strangely - someone elses credit card details were taken instead of the actual tenants - so that rents could be charged if they later defaulted. I soon learned that the use of this card was unauthorised and my debtor amounts rose swiftly). The tenant was said to be of good credit yet a few weeks after moving in he asked me to sign DSS papers for him (which I declined).

(2) Tenancy The tenancy was negotiated for 24 months and they took their management fees over 5 months up from for the whole period. Why this is done - I do not know - but the result of it is that once the benefit has been passed to them - there is no further incentive to actually manage the property efficiently. I later learned that the tenant had been accepted and 'tenanted' despite the fact that he had never viewed the property.The next part of the fiasco began when the tenant started to make demands and threats of legal action - apparently all sorts of furniture etc had been promised to him (without my knowledge) even though the tenancy was supposed to be UNFURNISHED. In the end I felt that in the interests of keeping the tenant (whom I beleived to be of good standing at the time) I shelled out a few hundred more to furnish the flat with some basic items. (3) Management I have two properties in this (new) block of flats. Both are managed by independent agents. One property - no issues ever other than the usual problem here and there. The property managed by Ludlow - seems to incur more repairs, call-outs and other costs than any other property I own. i.e. the property costs are disproportionate to other assets.It is clear that they get some benefit from contracting out 'repair jobs' - some examples: (a) tenant couldnt use the dishwasher. Solution: Send a qualified engineer to show the tenant how to use the appliance. Cost: over £100. (b) tenant reported a leak in the toilet. Solutiuon: Send a plumber to assess. Cost: £100. (c) tenant reported the same leak (water passing into bowl) Solution: Replace something in the cistern. Cost: approx £250. (d) Tenant reported a 'leak' in the shower. Solution: Quote for new shower (??). Cost: over £1000 (e) Other appliance issues and electrical 'problems' - cost - over £500.

When I gave then the homeserve warranties I was told that if they were managing the property then they would have to use their 'own' contractors or else I would have to make various arrangements like issue keys to contractors and be there for appointments (from 8000 miles away) on my own as they would not take any 'responsibility' for external contractors (like the appliance manufacturers who would repair products for free with their highly trained engineers using new branded spare parts) (4) Credit Control The worst I have ever experienced. I am a non resident overseas landlord. I am about 8000 miles and several time zones away from the UK. I rely on these 'managing agents' to look after my best interests. NOT SO. The tenant has been in arrears since he moved in!!! Their version of credit control is a letter to the tenant and a copy to me. I have had about 10 of these letters. Sometimes they take months to get to me - even though I have asked them to email me rather than send letters as I am always travelling.Now my tenant has decided to move on, 9 months early and I email the Client Manager daily and get no response. They have no 'head office' from a customer point of view and although the lettings team are more than happy to get me a new tenant (and charge me hundreds more in new finders fees) the management team are predictably silent and unreachable.If they would refund the balance of the management fees I have paid - i would gladly go elsewhere.

To all you landlords out there - I have learned - this has been a VERY expensive mistake for me. My tenant owes me £2450 and I can't even get hold of my 'client manager'. Please, please AVOID Ludlow Thomspon - they are quick to get you a tenant but you will pay for this dearly.

The rooms are enormous. There's a stage and bar in one room and the remaining room has another bar with a DJ and a few sofas. I've been down here on a Friday for a rock/indie night and it got nicely busy so it's pretty good atmosphere wise. Unfortunately it's pretty deserted waling back to Brixton so location wise it's not the best place to be walking around on your own, but that aside it's definitely worth checking out one of Jamm's club nights.

Never very busy and the station is nice inside. Tube stations are always nicer when there's not many people using them

This is a great day out, you can hire the track out for an evening with a bunch of mates and lay the gauntlet down.

You get provided with a quick saftey run through (which gets ignored the minute you're on the track) and are provided with all the gear.

It's a great evening out, and this course in particular has some hilarious corners that if timed wrong leave you in a pile of tyers with a nice dose of whiplash! Well worth it though.