Aspects of Residential Block Maintenance

Posted on July 10, 2017 in General Info

In this article we would like to take a look at the key aspects of residential block maintenance, and the reasons why it is absolutely essential for all buildings to ensure they have an effective maintenance plan:

Reasons for Maintenance

There are so many reasons why building maintenance should be carried out; far too many to list here, however, we feel the key aspects of residential block maintenance are:

Legal requirements – landlord’s/RMC/RTM etc covenants to maintain and repair.

Statutory compliance – lift inspections and electrical testing are just two examples of this.

Safety reasons – falling tiles or other hazards from lack of maintenance can cause serious injury.

Residents’ comfort and safety – a well maintained building should also include a safe, clean, well maintained communal area. This includes keeping hallways clear with appropriate signage and enforcement.

A well maintained communal area allows for a well-lit escape route, safe from hazards. This also promotes pride in the building and better rental and resale value.

Cost effective – early intervention is likely to save higher costs in the future.

Reduces insurance costs – a building which is not maintained is more likely to incur issues such as water damage. This in turn leads to insurance claims resulting in a rise in premiums.

Resale value – we all look for a well maintained building when purchasing a flat. A well maintained building will attract more potential buyers as well as add value to the property.

We could all add to the above but these reasons alone ought to be more than enough to address a regular maintenance schedule. Certainly reasonableness has to be a factor of any well drafted planned maintenance report, but we believe that it is about getting the balance.

Maintenance Planning

Maintenance of a building is everything from day-to-day cleaning right through to repairing and painting, as well as looking after those areas that are not seen – For example the roof and gutters. A well maintained building should have a predetermined plan of all the maintenance tasks required.

Everyday Maintenance

It is very important not to overlook basic everyday maintenance as this is essential to the overall up keep of the property.

On-site inspections should be carried out – this could even be done by contract cleaners or gardeners – consider what routine tasks they would be competent to monitor, and use them as your eyes and ears at times when you are not able to get to site.

Basic examples could include checking that the drainage outlets and gullies are clear and properly covered and that light bulbs in common parts are replaced when required. Also identifying and reporting back defective overflows staining the exterior of the building and creating dampness is another possible use of those on site – and an example of an area that, if not spotted and actioned, could result in escalating costs.

Conclusion

The maintenance plan for each block should be regularly reviewed and adjusted as circumstances dictate. Remember, buildings require a considerable amount of maintenance, ranging from their skeletal structure through to perishable external components, and internal fitments that are subject to heavy use.

A planned programme of maintenance is the optimal way to facilitate a building’s upkeep, allowing costs to be budgeted and predicted well in advance of any works being carried out. Planned maintenance programmes also carry the added advantage of helping to minimise disruption by setting a prearranged and carefully scheduled plan of action in place.

If you require any assistance on any issue in relation to the maintenance and services of your building please do not hesitate to get in touch with our helpful staff on 0845 604 1288.

Protech Planned & Reactive Property Maintenance Solutions