Level 1

Question 1

Where did you get your budget costs from?

Answer 1

• the BCIS rates

* Previous priced schedules of work

Question 2

How did you determine the lifecycles of building elements?

Answer 2

• From PPMs undertaken from similar properties
• Cross refrenced with online information
• CIBSE lifecycles for M&E elements

Question 3

Why did you use a 5 year reporting period for this PPM?

Answer 3

10 years can be too long

Question 4

Is there any British Standard for DDA Compliance?

Answer 4

BS 8300 for DDA.

Question 5

What is the purpose of BS 8300?

Answer 5

Main focus was on the design of seperate accessible facilities and their ability to meet requirements of the disabled

Question 6

What are the fundamental changes of BS 8300?

Answer 6

Accessible v Inclusive- “equal access to services and buildings”.

Question 7

What are some key features of BS 8300-2:2018?

Answer 7

You must consider every aspect of a buildng/its surroundings and how it impacts on a users accessibility:
Signange-gives clear directions, information and instructions for use of a building.
Induction Loops- Earing impairment/loss must have access information or entertainment
Finishes- colours used to differentiate surfaces should vary in their light reflectance value (LRV) by at least 30 points.

Question 8

How do you test LRV?

Answer 8

The LRV scale runs from 0, which is a perfectly absorbing surface that could be assumed to be totally black, up to 100, which is a perfectly reflective surface that could be considered to be the perfect white.

Question 9

Why is construction technology and Building Pathology essential when carrying out a condition survey?

Answer 9

A fundamental understanding of how building elements interrelate and understanding of common defects assists with understanding the condition and influences the advice given for remedials.

Question 10

What is the role of owners / occupiers / providers / LA in the maintenance, repair and improvement of housing?

Answer 10

It depends on the contract but landlords are usually responsible for the structure of the dwelling house and the services, tenants are responsible for decoration and minor repairs (or keeping the property in a tenant like manner)

Question 11

What funding methods are you aware of?

Answer 11

Usually through rental income, but it can also be paid for by service charges, leaseholder contributions, grants or a sinking fund linked to the service charge

Question 12

What legislative requirements are you aware of?

Answer 12

Planned Preventative Maintenance of Residential and Commercial Property Guidance Note 2022, legislation includes things like the HHSRS, Landlord and Tenancy Act 1985, Homes Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018, Gas Safety, Installation and Use, Decent Homes Standard

Question 13

What property related H&S issues are you aware of?

Answer 13

Slips, trips and falls, electric issues, gas leaks, mould, dampness, asbestos, lead piping, tenant abuse, falls from height

Question 14

Talk me through your understanding of housing policy and law relating to maintenance and repair.

Answer 14

It is predominantely underpinned by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes Fitness for Human Habitation Act, and Building Regulations but there are also statutory requirements and things such as H&S regs, CDM regs etc

Question 15

What are the key principles of the L&T relationship?

Answer 15

There must be trust between the parties, an effective contract, both parties must look after the properties, open lines of communication

Question 16

What property maintenance issues are you aware of in relation to the housing market?

Answer 16

Currently the cost and continuity of supply of materials, along with rising fuel prices and a difficulty in recruiting trade operatives

Question 17

What is the Decent Homes Standard?

Answer 17

Piece of government legislation setting a technical stanard for public sector housing which aims to provide a minimum standard of housing conditions for anyone living in public sector housing with a target for the standards to be met by 2010. A decent home is one, which is wind and weather tight, warm and has modern facilities. It also has been updated to reflect the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Question 18

Tell me about the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

Answer 18

It’s a recent law, introduced to ensure rented property is fit for human habitation, that it is safe to live in and occupants are free from things which may cause harm

Question 19

Tell me about S11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Answer 19

It requires landlords to maintain the exterior and structure of the dwelling house and to keep in good repair the services for fresh water, draninage, gas, electricity, space heating and warm water

Question 20

Tell me about the RICS Planned Preventative Maintenance Guidance Notes 1st edition.

Answer 20

It is a guidance note for both Commercial and Residential, effective from May, it aims to set out the general principles that should be adopted when undertaking a PPM survey. It includes advice like understanding client requirements & expectations, what to include in the instructions, what the purpose of a PPM survey is.

Question 21

How have you assessed the condition of housing?

Answer 21

By inspecting it with the purpose of indentifying defects to arrange remedial repairs

Question 22

Talk me through your preparation of a report or cost estimate.

Answer 22

I inspect the property usually starting external, then top-bottom. Take with me any supporting documents such as floor plans. Take extensive notes and photographs. Then write a spreadsheet PPM schedule which has key items such as a general description, building elements, budget costs and timescales.

Question 23

What does PPM stand for?

Answer 23

Planned Preventative Maintenance.

Question 24

What does a PPM include?

Answer 24

Maintenance required for each building element, prioritised, with a budgeted cost and timing, year by year.

Question 25

Why is maintenance important?

Answer 25

To ensure that buildings and other built assets present a good appearance and operate at optimum efficiency. Some examples: Prevent decay and degredation, maintain structural stability, ensure continued compliance.

Question 26

What are the dangers of not maintaining a building?

Answer 26

• can reduce performance,
• affect heath
• threaten the safety of occupantsthose in the vicinity.

Question 27

What are the two types of maintenance?

Answer 27

1) Condition based- reactive maintenenance for repair.

2) PPM- to prevent damage in the future.

Question 28

What are the advantages of a PPM?

Answer 28

More proactive approach to maintenance- prevents small issues becoming larger.
Costs can be distributed more evenly.

Question 29

Have you advised on funding?

Answer 29

I have not advised on funding however I have advised on likely costs for remedial action.

Question 30

What does ‘fit for human habitation’ mean?

Answer 30

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 is a piece of legislation (law) that was added to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.This law makes it easier for tenants to take action if their home is unfit for human habitation.

Question 31

What forms the basis of a PPM Schedule?

Answer 31

A condition survey.