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Managing Agents

Building surveying, fire safety and project advisory services for managing agents and property managers across London.

Building Condition & Defects Section 20 & Major Works Fire Safety & Compliance
Overview

Technical advice for managing agents responsible for building condition, major works and compliance across managed residential buildings

Managing agent instructions are shaped by leaseholder obligations, Section 20 requirements, service charge accountability and the need to deliver works with defensible procurement and clear technical justification.

We advise managing agents and property managers who need independent technical support on building condition, fire safety, Section 20 works, procurement and contract administration.

The focus is on clear, defensible reporting that helps agents manage their responsibilities to freeholders and leaseholders with confidence.

Managing Agent Context

What usually makes managing agent instructions more demanding

  • Section 20 consultation requirements adding complexity to procurement and scope definition.
  • Leaseholder scrutiny of costs, scope and contractor selection.
  • Fire safety and building safety duties requiring proportionate technical assessment.
  • Multiple buildings and clients requiring consistent, reliable advisory support.
Who We Act For

Property management professionals responsible for building condition, works and compliance

Managing Agents

Agents managing residential blocks and estates who need independent technical advice on condition, defects, major works and compliance obligations.

Property Managers

Property management professionals responsible for day-to-day building oversight who need clearer technical direction on repair, maintenance and works priorities.

Block Managers

Block managers overseeing individual buildings or small portfolios who need structured support on condition reporting, procurement and contractor management.

Resident Management Companies

RMCs and their directors needing independent technical advice to support works decisions, Section 20 processes and service charge justification.

Freeholders

Freeholders requiring technical reporting on building condition, fire safety, repair liability and major works to support their management obligations.

Right to Manage Companies

RTM companies needing professional technical support to manage building condition, procurement and works delivery following the transfer of management responsibilities.

Typical Managing Agent Instructions

The types of instruction most often seen across managed residential buildings

01

Building Condition Surveys

Instructions aimed at understanding building defects, repair priorities, maintenance backlog and the technical basis for planned or reactive works across managed blocks.

02

Fire Safety and Compartmentation

Reviews where fire compartmentation, fire door condition, passive fire protection or wider building safety obligations need proportionate assessment and clearer direction.

03

Major Works Specification and Procurement

Instructions where managing agents need independent technical support to define scope, prepare specifications and procure contractors for major works programmes.

04

Section 20 Support

Technical advice supporting the Section 20 consultation process, including scope definition, specification preparation and the justification of proposed works and costs.

05

Contract Administration and Delivery

Instructions where agents need independent oversight of live works, including contract administration, quality inspection, programme monitoring and practical completion.

Common Issues And Decision Points

The issues that most often shape managing agent decisions

Managing agent instructions usually involve wider questions about Section 20 compliance, leaseholder communication, cost justification, fire safety and the practical route to defensible works delivery.

Section 20 Complexity

Consultation requirements that add procedural complexity to procurement, requiring clear scope definition and defensible technical justification at each stage.

Leaseholder Concerns

Scrutiny of costs, scope and contractor selection by leaseholders, requiring reporting that is technically robust and clearly communicated.

Fire Safety Duties

Ongoing fire safety and building safety obligations requiring proportionate assessment, clear recommendations and defensible records of action taken.

Contractor Performance

Challenges with contractor quality, programme, variations and defects that benefit from independent technical oversight and contract administration support.

Cost Control

Service charge accountability and budget pressures requiring clear cost advice, competitive procurement and transparent reporting to stakeholders.

Multi-Site Management

Managing agents overseeing multiple buildings who need consistent, reliable technical advice that can be applied across a varied portfolio.

Relevant Services

Services most often linked to managing agent instructions

How We Support Managing Agents

How managing agent instructions are typically taken forward

Managing agent instructions are usually shaped by leaseholder obligations, Section 20 requirements, fire safety duties, service charge accountability and the need to deliver works with clear technical justification and defensible procurement.

  • Clarifying whether the immediate priority is condition assessment, fire safety review, major works specification or live delivery oversight.
  • Explaining how technical findings affect scope, cost, procurement route and the Section 20 consultation process.
  • Identifying when further investigation is needed and when the available evidence already supports defensible next steps.

What support usually looks like in practice

That may involve a building condition survey, fire safety assessment, major works specification, Section 20 technical support or a contract administration role taking works through procurement and delivery.

The objective is to help managing agents move from technical uncertainty to a clearer position on building condition, compliance, cost and the route toward well-managed, defensible works delivery.

Request a Consultation

If you need clear advice on a managed building, Section 20 instruction or major works programme, we can help.

Request a Consultation