New PPM features to boost compliance and efficiency for property managers

Gemma Nettle

By Gemma Nettle

16 October 2024

At Fixflo, we’ve been working hard to roll out new updates to our Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) module to make the lives of property managers easier and reduce the risk of human error. With the Renters' Rights Bill progressing through Parliament, ensuring compliance has never been more critical, and we're committed to giving property managers the tools they need to stay on top of their responsibilities efficiently.

Our latest release includes two major improvements that will significantly help property managers improve compliance and reduce the risks associated with certificate management.

A laptop with Fixflo's Planned Preventative Matrix solution on a wooden office desk

 

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Certificate check on issue closure

One of the key updates focuses on the issue closure process. We identified that when property managers close a service event such as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), they might overlook checking the associated certificates and their expiry dates. This can result in potential compliance breaches.

To mitigate this risk, we've introduced a certificate check prompt that appears whenever a planned maintenance issue is being closed. This ensures that property managers are reminded to verify the certificate before marking the issue as resolved. By reviewing these crucial details, agents can close a potential gap in the workflow, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring properties remain compliant at all times.

 

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Warning for mismatched certificate expiry dates

Another common issue we’ve tackled relates to discrepancies between the certificate expiry date and the next scheduled event. For example, an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) might default to a 5-year renewal schedule. However, due to a property’s condition, an electrician could issue a certificate valid for only 3 years. Previously, this mismatch was easy to miss, as the system didn't automatically show certificate details alongside the service event dates. 

With this latest update, if the certificate expiry date differs from the next scheduled service event, the system will now trigger a pop-up notification alerting the property manager to the discrepancy. It will only display if the service event has ‘Awaiting review’ turned on, otherwise, the dates in the following service events in the series will remain as before. This allows agents to adjust the next event date before finalising the service, ensuring that properties don't inadvertently fall out of compliance due to mismatched timelines.

Fixflo recommends turning 'Requires review' on for statutory events. 

 

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These updates are now live and available to all users of our PPM module on subscription tiers Professional and Manager. By implementing these features, we hope to remove the manual legwork property managers previously had to endure and minimise room for error. 

Upgrade to our Professional or Manager packages now. 

We encourage all our users to explore these new features, which represent a major step forward for Fixflo in making property management simpler, more efficient, and less prone to error.

Gemma Nettle

When Gemma is not writing at work, her main hobby is writing at home. Entertainment is her bag, lapping up every new film and TV series with ferocity. She is always on the lookout for a new pastime, having experimented with dance, baking and bass guitar.

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BLOG DISCLAIMER

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions related to issues in this article, we strongly advise contacting a legal professional.
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Gemma Nettle

By Gemma Nettle

16 October 2024

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