Concerns have been raised in the past over the quality of lift inspections, that are essential for safety and reliability particularly in Firstport managed developments.
Clearly any lift must be able to operate safely, and the lifts must be reliable given the vulnerability of elderly residents that depend on working lifts to be able to leave their properties.
Over the years, About Peverel has reported on several instances of residents being trapped due to non functioning lifts. we have reported on inadequate inspections and lack of documentation supporting any such inspections.
The wholly justified concerns raised by Chris Hall(see comments) is sadly all too typical of the shoddy standards set by Firstport.
About Peverel understands lifts can break down. However if properly inspected and maintained the probability of a lift breakdown is substantially reduced.
Two recent cases have highlighted the problems encountered by residents due to a failed lift.
Elderly disabled residents were trapped in Holme Court, Ipswich after their lift broke down and their was a delay in repairing the fault.
And in Hawthorn Court, Derby planned repairs were sudenly brought forward. Notice of repairs was put on the residents notice board on September 27th concerning works due to begin October 3rd and expected to last 2 weeks. This of course gave residents very little time to prepare. Some were trapped, others moved into a hotel at great pesonal expense.
Oddly , though the lift maintanance contract was thought to be with Orana, Firstport had no problem with Orana subcontracting the job to a very small firm in Nottingham called Pulse Lifts (with net assets of £28,000)
Update! About Peverel has now had sight of the notice pinned up by Sam Else concerning the lift repairs.
In an announcing the repairs were going to be carried out by Pulse Lifts on behalf of Orana who have appointed them to carry out the works the cost is put at £17,646,92.
Since that would have been the price quoted by Orana, it is simply not credible that Pulse Lifts are charging the same amount to carry out the work.
This begs the question as to why, if Pulse Lifts are carrying out the work at less cost the residents are being asked to pay the higher price?
