Lift Maintenance Services for Buildings
Reliable lift maintenance and lift servicing to keep your building's passenger lifts safe, compliant, and fully operational all year round.
Lift maintenance is one of the most critical aspects of building maintenance management for any property with a passenger lift. A well-maintained lift ensures the safety of residents, visitors, and contractors, while reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and regulatory non-compliance. At Block, our lift maintenance services are designed to deliver reliable, fully compliant lift service and maintenance that protects both people and property.
Whether you manage a small residential block with a single passenger lift or a large development with multiple lifts, effective lift servicing requires a structured programme of planned inspections, preventative maintenance, and responsive repair. We work with trusted, accredited lift maintenance companies UK-wide and coordinate every aspect of lift management as part of our wider block management services. This ensures your lifts are maintained alongside all other building maintenance obligations, with costs transparently managed through the service charge.
What Does Lift Maintenance Involve?
Comprehensive lift maintenance covers everything needed to keep a lift operating safely and efficiently. A properly structured lift service and maintenance programme includes both routine servicing visits and statutory inspections. Our lift maintenance services typically cover:
Every service visit is documented, and reports are reviewed by our property managers to ensure all recommendations are acted upon promptly. If any issues are identified, we coordinate repairs immediately with the lift maintenance companies we work with, minimising disruption to residents and keeping your lift compliant with all lift maintenance regulations.
Lift Maintenance Regulations and Legal Requirements
Lift maintenance requirements in the UK are governed by several key pieces of legislation. Understanding and complying with these regulations is essential for any building owner, freeholder, or managing agent responsible for a passenger lift. The two most important regulations are:
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) requires that all lifting equipment, including passenger lifts, is thoroughly examined by a competent person at intervals not exceeding six months. These examinations must be carried out by an independent inspection body, and written reports must be kept on file. Any defects identified must be rectified before the lift can continue to operate.
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) requires that all work equipment, including lifts, is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair. This means that routine lift servicing between LOLER examinations is not optional but a legal obligation. Failure to comply with either LOLER or PUWER can result in enforcement action by the Health and Safety Executive, including improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecution.
At Block, we ensure every lift under our management has a compliant maintenance and inspection programme in place. We track examination dates, manage relationships with approved inspectors, and maintain full records as part of our planned maintenance service, so building owners and directors can be confident their lift maintenance regulations obligations are fully met.
Planned and Reactive Lift Maintenance
Effective lift service and maintenance combines two approaches: planned preventative maintenance and reactive breakdown response. Both are essential to keeping your lifts safe and reliable.
Planned maintenance involves scheduled servicing visits at regular intervals, typically every four to six weeks. During these visits, engineers carry out a full inspection of the lift's mechanical and electrical components, replace wear-and-tear parts, and test all safety systems. This proactive approach catches problems early and significantly reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Buildings with a robust planned maintenance programme typically experience far fewer call-outs and enjoy longer lift component lifespans.
Reactive maintenance covers unplanned breakdowns and emergency situations. Even with the best preventative programme, lifts can occasionally develop faults. When a breakdown occurs, our lift maintenance contracts include 24-hour emergency call-out cover with guaranteed response times. Our contractors aim to attend within two to four hours for entrapment situations and restore service as quickly as possible. We understand how disruptive a broken lift can be, particularly for elderly or disabled residents, and we treat every breakdown as a priority.
We communicate transparently with residents during any lift outage, providing updates on the fault, expected repair times, and alternative arrangements where needed. All breakdown costs are clearly reported as part of the service charge accounts so lift maintenance charges are fully transparent.
Lift Maintenance Costs and Contract Options
Lift maintenance charges vary depending on several factors, including the type of lift, the number of floors served, the age and condition of the equipment, and the level of contract cover selected. There are generally two types of maintenance contract available from lift maintenance companies UK-wide:
- Comprehensive contracts - covering all servicing, parts, and labour including breakdown repairs
- Standard contracts - covering routine servicing and labour with parts charged separately
- Number of floors and stops the lift serves
- Age and condition of the lift equipment and available lift models
- Whether the lift has remote monitoring or older relay-based controls
- Call-out response time guarantees included in the contract
We recommend comprehensive contracts for most residential buildings, as they provide budget certainty and protect leaseholders from unexpected repair bills. However, for newer lifts still under manufacturer warranty, a standard contract may offer better value. We assess each building individually and recommend the option that provides the best balance of cover, cost, and reliability.
For a tailored lift maintenance quote for your building, please get in touch or call us on 0161 371 7190. We will assess your lift and provide a clear, no-obligation proposal from commercial lift suppliers and specialist maintenance providers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lift Maintenance
Who is responsible for lift maintenance?
The freeholder or their appointed managing agent is typically responsible for arranging lift maintenance in a block of flats. This obligation is usually set out in the lease, which requires the landlord to maintain all communal installations including passenger lifts. The cost of lift servicing and repairs is recovered from leaseholders through the service charge. A professional block management company will ensure lift maintenance contracts are in place and that all statutory inspections are carried out on time.
How much is a lift maintenance contract?
The cost of a lift maintenance contract varies depending on the type and age of the lift, the number of floors served, the level of cover required, and whether the contract includes parts and labour or labour only. A fully comprehensive lift maintenance contract for a standard passenger lift in a residential block typically ranges from £2,000 to £6,000 per year. We obtain competitive quotes from reputable lift maintenance companies UK-wide and present transparent, itemised costs so leaseholders understand what they are paying for.
How often do lifts need to be serviced?
Lifts should be serviced at regular intervals, typically every three to six months depending on usage, age, and the type of lift. Under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998), passenger lifts must also undergo a thorough examination by a competent person at least every six months. Routine lift servicing between these examinations helps identify wear and tear early, reduces breakdown risk, and extends the operational life of the equipment.
Do lifts fall under LOLER?
Yes, passenger lifts in residential and commercial buildings fall under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). This legislation requires that all lifting equipment, including passenger lifts, is thoroughly examined by a competent person at intervals not exceeding six months. The regulations also require that lifts are properly maintained, that examination reports are kept on file, and that any defects identified are rectified promptly. Non-compliance with LOLER can result in enforcement action by the Health and Safety Executive.
What is the monthly maintenance of a lift?
Monthly lift maintenance costs depend on the contract type and the lift itself. On average, a standard residential passenger lift costs between £150 and £500 per month to maintain under a comprehensive contract. This typically includes regular servicing visits, 24-hour call-out cover, replacement of wear-and-tear parts, and remote monitoring where available. The monthly cost is usually included in the service charge budget and spread across all leaseholders in the building.
What is the 3 4 rule for elevators?
The 3-4 rule is an industry guideline used to assess whether a lift is approaching the end of its economical service life. It states that when a lift reaches the point where annual repair costs exceed three-quarters (75%) of the cost of a replacement, it is generally more cost-effective to consider a full lift modernisation or replacement rather than continuing to repair the existing equipment. This rule helps building managers and managing agents make informed decisions about long-term lift investment and budgeting for major works through the reserve fund.
Need Reliable Lift Maintenance for Your Building?
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote. Our team will assess your building's lift and recommend a lift servicing programme that keeps your passenger lift safe, compliant, and running smoothly.