logo
ENFRع
#

Latest news with #AwardWinning

'I live in historic apartments featured on TV, but the lift's broken, my door's failed fire safety, and masonry's fallen down'
'I live in historic apartments featured on TV, but the lift's broken, my door's failed fire safety, and masonry's fallen down'

Yahoo

time16-07-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

'I live in historic apartments featured on TV, but the lift's broken, my door's failed fire safety, and masonry's fallen down'

'Award winning' apartments featured heavily in a BBC TV show have been hit by lift maintenance issues, falling masonry, and fire doors failing inspections, the Local Democracy Reporting Service can reveal. The Crusader Mill flats appeared in 'Manctopia: The Billion Pound Property Boom' in 2020, with Capital&Centric boss Tim Heatley showing cameras inside the 200-year-old mill as it was transformed into flats. At the time, the developer 'banned investors' and 'prioritised locals' buying the flats when they went on sale, with a two-bedroom homes going for £299,000 when new, but they now sell for £375,000. READ MORE: 'We were at Manchester Airport for no longer than five minutes and we've been scammed' READ MORE: 'We're sorry not all parents agree, but the skirt ban is happening' However, an owner-occupier inside the mill has told the LDRS they are 'shocked' their apartment front door failed a routine safety inspection last year. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here 'It came as a big shock,' the resident, who asked to stay anonymous, said. 'If mine has failed and there's a fire, what would happen?' The inspections were carried out by original property managers UrbanBubble in April 2024, just two months before the management of the block was taken over by Zenith. A spokesperson for Capital&Centric said 'the residents' committee were not happy' with the previous property manager, prompting the switch. The same resident added 'both lifts have repeatedly failed' at the block, 'falling masonry fell into the communal garden' prompted it to be 'taped off', and 'leaseholders have not received a single verified service charge account' since they moved-in in 2021. The Capital&Centric spokesperson said work to replace fire doors that failed inspections is underway or scheduled, with issues stemming from 'normal wear and tear and the movement you'd expect in a historic mill building' meaning 'minor maintenance was needed, such as re-aligning hinges or reapplying seals to maintain fire resistance'. They also confirmed masonry fell from the building, adding stonework inspections will happen twice a year. Capital&Centric has also 'been disappointed by the recent reliability issues with the two outdoor lifts' they went on, adding Zenith has found a new lift maintenance contractor and is also working with Urban Bubble to 'resolve' issues with the service charge accounts. A spokesperson for Zenith said: 'Zenith was appointed a year ago as the managing agent for Crusader Mill. "As is standard practice during the handover of a residential development, we continue to work closely with all stakeholders - including the previous agent, the developer, and the residents' association - to ensure that every aspect of the management transition is appropriately addressed and communicated. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE 'We can confirm that all annual service charge accounts are being certified in accordance with relevant legislation. These accounts pertain to the period before our tenure and are currently being processed by the previous agent. 'We have been advised that leaseholders will receive these documents as soon as they become available. We are working closely with the previous agent to address this issue as soon as possible. 'Fire door inspections continue to be an ongoing part of the development's safety management. As part of our appointment, these inspections are being carried out in line with applicable regulations and will continue to be reviewed as part of our ongoing maintenance and building safety regime.' UrbanBubble was contacted for comment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store