Are you a managing agent failing to monitor safety in block of flats?

Leaseholders and tenants are amongst the millions of people are at risk because many blocks of flats have not had basic health and safety inspections, some of which are required by law.

Urban Owners who are a block management firm have compiled data which shows that a significant majority of managing agents at blocks are failing to undertake regular fire, electrical, asbestos and health and safety assessments.

Their research estimates that 92.7% of blocks have not had an electrical safety assessment; 81.7% have not had an asbestos survey; 64.8% have not had a health and safety assessment; and 55.8% have not had a fire risk assessment. These are extremely high figures as all are required by law, which shows that there is quite a large amount of unlawful practice being undertaken at the moment.

It is mandatory by law that any block of flats with common areas should undertake regular health and safety and fire risk assessments, this will typically be conducted on an annual basis. Electrical installations should be assessed every five years. Older blocks should also be surveyed for the presence of asbestos which, if found, should be monitored on a periodic basis also.

The failure to undertake these assessments and address issues identified could invalidate buildings’ insurance in the event of a serious incident.

Steve Wylie, director at Urban Owners, said: “The lax attitude of many managing agents towards safety is unacceptable. Unprofessional firms are routinely neglecting their  responsibilities.”

Switch Management offer the perfect service to property managers to ensure that they comply with the relevant laws to ensure that the managers are fully covered with insurance in the eventuality that the assessments are required.