Managing agents fail to ensure safety of flats

Millions of people, including tenants and leasehold owners, are at risk because many blocks of flats have not had basic health and safety inspections as required by law.

According to data from block management firm Urban Owners, a significant majority of managing agents at blocks are failing to fulfill the legal requirement to undertake timely fire, electrical, asbestos and health and safety assessments.

Its 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.

By law, any block of flats with common areas should undertake regular health and safety and fire risk assessments, typically on an annual basis, and have electrical installations assessed every five years. The property must also be surveyed for the presence of asbestos which, if found, should be monitored on a periodic basis.

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 legal responsibilities.”