Property compliance has changed significantly over the last few years. For managing agents, it is no longer simply an administrative function focused on keeping certificates and reports on file. It is now an operational, governance and risk management responsibility. And increasingly, regulators, clients and residents expect evidence — not assumptions. The shift is no longer just about having the right documents. It’s about demonstrating that buildings are being actively and safely managed.
From Documentation to Demonstration
Historically, compliance often focused on whether documents existed such as fire risk assessments, asbestos registers, inspection records and maintenance certificates. That is no longer enough.
Today, the expectation is that managing agents can demonstrate:
Risks are properly understood
Actions are tracked through to completion
Safety systems are monitored continuously
Records are accurate and accessible
Decision-making is evidenced
Compliance is moving from paperwork to proof. Increased Accountability for Managing Agents and there is now far greater scrutiny around who is responsible for managing building risk. Managing agents are increasingly expected to:
• Take active oversight of compliance risks
• Coordinate contractors and consultants effectively
• Escalate unresolved safety concerns
• Maintain visibility across portfolios
• Ensure remedial actions do not stall
The days of relying entirely on third parties to “handle compliance” are disappearing. Oversight itself has become part of the duty.
The Impact of Legislative Change
Legislation including the Building Safety Act 2022 has accelerated this shift, particularly across residential and Higher-Risk Buildings.
Key changes include:
• Greater focus on resident safety and engagement
• Increased accountability for dutyholders
• More robust expectations around evidence and governance
• Stronger emphasis on ongoing risk management rather than periodic review
For managing agents, staying informed is no longer optional. It is now part of competent building management.
The Move Towards Continuous Compliance
One of the biggest operational changes is the move away from periodic compliance towards continuous compliance.
Previously, many organisations relied heavily on annual reviews, periodic inspections and static compliance folders. Now, expectations are shifting towards:
Live action tracking
Ongoing monitoring
Regular review cycles
Dynamic risk management
Better visibility of outstanding issues
This requires systems — not spreadsheets alone.
The Challenge of Multi-Site Portfolios
For agents managing multiple buildings, maintaining oversight is becoming increasingly complex. Common challenges include:
• Inconsistent record keeping across sites
• Outstanding actions drifting without ownership
• Difficulty tracking contractor performance
• Limited visibility of high-risk issues
• Information spread across emails, PDFs and separate systems
Without structured processes, demonstrating compliance across an entire portfolio becomes extremely difficult.
Better Data = Better Decisions
Another major shift is the importance of accessible, accurate compliance data. Managing agents are now expected to maintain:
• Clear records of identified risks
• Evidence of completed actions
• Accessible compliance documentation
• Audit trails and review histories
• Visibility of building-specific issues
This information is no longer only for audits. It directly supports safer, more defensible building management decisions.
What Managing Agents Should Be Focusing On
To adapt successfully, managing agents should be reviewing:
Whether compliance systems are still fit for purpose
How actions are tracked and verified
Whether responsibilities are clearly defined
How building information is stored and accessed
Whether risk management is genuinely proactive
The strongest organisations are moving away from reactive compliance and towards structured operational governance.
The Industry Has Moved Beyond Box-Ticking
Property compliance is no longer a passive administrative exercise. It now requires:
• Active oversight
• Clear accountability
• Ongoing review
• Strong operational systems
• Demonstrable governance
The key question is no longer: “Do we have the right documents?” It is: “Can we clearly demonstrate this building is being managed safely and competently?”
Safe Track Risk Management supports managing agents, landlords and commercial property organisations across the UK with practical compliance systems, fire risk management and building safety support.
