We Work for You
One phrase we hear often in property management is “you work for us” — and that’s absolutely true. But what that actually looks like day-to-day is sometimes misunderstood. A key part of our role as property managers is ensuring fire safety and legal compliance within the buildings we manage. This includes instructing fire risk assessments, carrying out site visits to identify potential risks, and making sure the building complies with current legislation — including the Building Safety Act.
Recently, we arranged an inspection of flat entrance doors within a block. These doors open directly into a communal hallway, which makes them a critical part of the building’s fire safety strategy. For this type of layout, it’s essential that entrance doors are fire-resistant and fit for purpose.If residents are advised to remain in their properties should a fire break out, we need confidence that fire will not spread rapidly throughout the building. Entrance doors play a major role in preventing this.Following the survey, we contacted owners where doors were found to be non-compliant. As these doors are demised to individual owners, it is their responsibility to arrange repairs or replacement. We set realistic and reasonable timescales for this work to be completed and asked owners to confirm once the issue had been resolved so we could formally document it. That documentation matters. It demonstrates that risks have been identified, actions have been taken, and the building is being responsibly managed.
After receiving no response from several owners, we followed up — only to be told that we are “not here to give instructions”, that we “take instructions from owners”, and questioned on why we were being “nosey”.
Here’s the reality: this isn’t about giving instructions or being intrusive. It’s about fulfilling our legal duty, protecting residents, and ensuring the building is safe and compliant.We don’t carry out these checks to create work or cause frustration. We do them because safety, compliance, and accountability are part of working for you — even when it’s inconvenient, even when it’s uncomfortable, and even when it’s misunderstood.
Property management isn’t just about collecting service charges and arranging repairs. It’s about managing risk, meeting legal obligations, and doing what’s required to protect people and buildings — during 9–5 and well beyond it.That’s what “we work for you” really means.
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