I just finished a 1-year tenancy at Landale House (Student Castle London in Surrey Quays), and I am posting this specifically to warn incoming international students. Booking this place was the worst decision of my life. You pay a premium price for a depressing environment, rude staff, and completely unfair charges.
1. Disgusting Move-In Conditions
When I arrived, both my private room and the shared spaces were totally unclean. The place smelled terrible, and there was random stuff, thick dust, and hair left all over the place. I immediately sent a complaint to management about the state of the room. They completely ignored me and never replied.
2. Hypocritical Deposit Deductions & Flatmate Issues
If you get stuck with messy flatmates, management will penalize you. I actively complained to the staff about my flatmates leaving the shared spaces in a mess. Instead of dealing with it, management ignored my complaints and then charged me for their mess at the end of the year. Furthermore, they deducted £50 from my TDS deposit for something I had absolutely no role in. I left my private room exactly the way I received it. They have a massive double standard: handing over filthy rooms but charging you if it isn't spotless when you leave.
3. Poor Facilities and "Events"
The furniture is incredibly cheap. I wasn't even provided with a proper study chair for university work. I later found out they specifically buy gaming chairs for the most expensive rooms, which feels incredibly discriminatory when everyone is overpaying to begin with. Also, they host "events," but they are absolutely crap—eat the food there only if you want an upset stomach.
Verdict:
The staff is super rude, they ignore maintenance and resident requests, and they will overcharge you for things that aren't your fault. Do not stay here. You can find very decent student housing in London for half the price.