Marlin Apartments must ensure better security at Empire Square

6 years ago Featured

The lease expressly forbids short term letting in all blocks of Empire Square for a reason. If Marlin cannot guarantee the conduct of its customers due to their lax controls then their right to lease apartments should be removed. This could so easily have led to fatalities. First Port must act before it does.

That should be -- Empire Square meeting -- in the subject line.

Quick update -- our MP, Neil Coyle, has written to some residents following the events from the 4th of August. He has written to First Port and Marlin to set up a meeting to discuss and would like to open the meeting to interested parties once a date has been set. If you would like to attend, please register your interest by emailing Mr. Coyle at [email protected] using the subject line "Empire Square meeting".

I fully support this petition. FirstPort has submitted significant evidence to the relevant authorities over recent years about Marlin’s breach of lease terms and various forms of disruption to permanent residents from Marlin’s short term letting activities. It is time to bring this to an end, particularly in East block where the calibre of Marlin short term guests undermines the living experience and the value of the properties.

I support this petition and look forward to a swift response from Marlin and First Port. South block resident

As a customer of both main businesses in this plaza, I expect Marlin to increase security and to be more responsible for what's happening in both their flats and in the square their flats surround. I have even complained to Marlin about men drunk out of their minds midday in that square while little ones were playing, but Marlin didn't care at all. Thank you for organizing and to everyone for sharing!

I am in total agreement with the petition. It is inevitable if very short-term lets are allowed that guests are not going to , in general, have the same attitude to Empire Square as permanent residents. Many short-term Marlin guests are coming to London to party and this often means noise after midnight and anti-social behaviour. I am unable to understand the reluctance of our landlords to enforce the terms of the lease, which expressly forbids any form of short-term letting for all leaseholders in all blocks at Empire Square. The unfortunate incident on 4th August should be a warning to all concerned. The girl thrown over the balcony could easily have died, and unless action is taken sooner or later there could be a fatality.

I agree with a number of the comments posted. How many of the apartments are being let or sub let? These tenants appear to ignore the lease agreements we have.

Thanks Will/ Smriti et al for the organisation of this. 100% needs to be addressed formally and controls put in place to rectify the situation. From reading the comments, a few things would benefit the residents (and particularly the leaseholders): 1) Take more active involvement with ES residents association. The larger the group that engages in community matters about the blocks, the better chance we all have for changes. 2) Leaseholders should read into their lease so everyone is aware of what types of lets are not permissable. Hate to say this, but there are also non Marlin leaseholders who use their appartments for AirBnB style lets. Addressing vetting would therefore need to be completed by ALL. 3) Costs that people mention are shared by both Marlin and ES residents. Having additional staff will likely impact future service charge (which is not a bad thing if residents feel safer/ anti social behavior is curbed). On the back of this, the best way to know about cost apportionment would naturally be to get a copy of the Marlin lease/ contract to note how they share costs/ services on the Empire Square Estate. Look forward to the updates and resolution. David. ES West.

Completely agree with all the comments- security around all the blocks has really reduced over the last five years and apart from this horrible incident there are lots of noise and access issues increasingly. Really hope this is taken as a serious call to improve things again!

Marlin must show consideration to the people that live here and run it professionally with security checks. I would not want to witness a scene like this again and will have to move if I get a reoccurrence. peter king south block

This is very troubling for all local residents. This is a big block in the heart of our community. Marlin need to act now to ensure renters are properly vetted.

Totally support the petition. Tighter measures should be taken at Merlin Apartments and across all blocks in the Empire Square complex as I have had noise issues in the South block as well.

Tighter screening for short term guests please - we have the right to feel safe, and we have the right to sleep at night. We are a peaceful community of residents - let's restore this please. South Block

7 years ago Featured

I have witnessed various things happen from the serviced apartments. I was almost injured by a large glass panel falling from one. Had cigarettes that had not been put out thrown at me. Guests throwing spaghetti down at pedestrians. CCTV cameras should be placed in and around these apartments to monitor their and others behaviour and safety.

I have frequently been disturbed my marlin guests having parties

Agree with this and well done on starting this petition. We are permanent residents here and respect the decorum of this apartment complex. Unfortunately the visitors of Marlin Apartments do not have the same respect for our peace, quiet and safety. The number of times I have had to complain due to loud parties being hosted is terrible. Whole heartedly support this!

Make it happen.

Well done for starting this petition. Agree with all the points you have raised.

7 years ago Featured

I agree with this petition wholeheartedly. This is not the first time a party held by visitors has got out of hand. It's not the fault of the staff on the desk, who always try to do their best, it's the lack of adequate screening that's the problem. Marlin Apartments has to try harder. This is my home .