Purpose Built Flats Management
Specialist block management for purpose built flats, from compact low-rise developments to large-scale residential towers. Proactive maintenance, transparent service charges, and full compliance management.
Purpose built flats represent the majority of managed residential developments across the UK. Designed and constructed specifically as self-contained apartments within a shared building, they come with their own distinct management requirements including communal heating systems, lift maintenance, complex fire strategies, and large-scale planned maintenance programmes. At Block, we have extensive experience managing purpose built blocks of every size and age across the UK.
Whether your purpose built block was constructed in the 1960s or completed last year, our dedicated property managers understand the specific challenges and compliance obligations that apply. We deliver transparent service charge management, proactive building maintenance, and full regulatory compliance so that leaseholders can enjoy their homes with confidence.
What We Manage in Purpose Built Blocks
Compliance for Purpose Built Blocks
Purpose built blocks must comply with extensive regulatory requirements. The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced additional obligations for higher-risk buildings, and all purpose built flats must meet fire safety, electrical safety, gas safety, and asbestos management requirements. Our property managers maintain a compliance calendar for every building, ensuring nothing is missed.
For blocks over 18 metres or seven storeys, the Building Safety Act creates additional responsibilities including the registration of the building, the appointment of accountable persons, and enhanced resident engagement requirements. We guide our clients through these obligations and ensure full compliance at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Purpose Built Flats
What does purpose-built flat mean?
A purpose-built flat is a residential unit that was originally designed and constructed as a self-contained flat within a block, as opposed to a converted flat which was created by subdividing a house or other building. Purpose-built blocks are typically designed with shared communal areas, dedicated service risers, communal heating or hot water systems, and purpose-designed fire compartmentation from the outset. They range from small low-rise blocks of four to six units to large high-rise towers with hundreds of apartments.
Are purpose-built flats better than conversions?
Purpose-built flats generally offer advantages over conversions in terms of soundproofing, fire safety compliance, communal area design, and structural layout. Because they were designed as flats from the start, they typically have better acoustic separation between units, purpose-designed escape routes, and more logical service charge apportionments. However, converted flats can offer more character, larger room sizes, and period features. The quality of management matters more than the building type in determining the day-to-day living experience.
Do purpose-built flats need a management company?
Most purpose-built blocks of flats require professional management. The lease typically includes obligations for the freeholder to maintain communal areas, arrange buildings insurance, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. These duties are usually delegated to a managing agent. Even small purpose-built blocks benefit from professional management to handle service charge administration, contractor procurement, and regulatory compliance effectively.
What is the difference between a purpose-built block and a converted block?
A purpose-built block was designed and constructed specifically as a block of flats, with communal areas, fire compartmentation, and services planned from the outset. A converted block was originally built as a different type of building, such as a house, warehouse, or office, and later subdivided into individual flats. This distinction affects the building's fire strategy, structural characteristics, service charge apportionments, and the complexity of ongoing management.
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