Good evening
I hope someone can help me on this parallel problem. In fact it seems to be the opposite side of this topic.
I have Power of Attorney for an elderly lady living in a private 1960s purpose-built 3-storey block of flats. The building has 3 entrances from the street and each has stairs up to 2 flats on each of the 3 floors, so 18 apartment - 6 on each level. The stairs in the communal lobbies are leasehold and the apartments privately owned. These stairs constitute the primary escape route and the front doors to the apartments were changed last year to FD30s.
At the rear of the building are 3 sets of iron stairs up to the first and second floors, so 6 staircases. The management of the block changed in January and that commercial firm presumably did an inspection of the building and found no problems. Sadly that firm had to cancel the contract and a new management company took over. They did their inspection and have declared the iron staircases "potentially dangerous" and have chained them off making these back stairs unusable. They are not designated as fire escapes but give the residents (mostly very elderly widowed ladies) access to rubbish bins in the car park.
These stairs are wider and less steep than the main stairs at the front. They were refurbished about 5 years ago as they are suffering from rust.
Now my question: please can anyone suggest what the residents need to do to get a second opinion on the condition of these stairs; it is strange that what was ok in January is now dangerous in May. Is there a government agency to oversee this matter ? Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service sent someone to inspect but he could only confirm that they are not a fire escape and could not give an opinion as to structural safety. I contacted the local council building control who referred me to HSE, who referred me to building control.
The property is located in Liverpool L23. I would be grateful of any advice. I find that I am unable to attach photos (advice on what to do appreciated).
