Property Research

It is essential that the college ascertain all its current liabilities and risks associated with retaining its existing estate.

Condition

The college needs to have an up to date 10 year Planned Maintenance Programme (PMP) so as to assess their liabilities especially if they were to retain any of their current assets. These assessments should include a description and costing of proposed improvements of bringing it up to a serviceable condition. The PMP is also necessary when performing value for money calculations. The college will have to appoint a building surveyor to undertake this if it is not up to date and where the expertise does not exist in-house.

Access

The college needs to establish their liabilities in respect of addressing any outstanding access issues so as to comply with current DDA/SENDA regulations. This is particularly necessary when considering remodelling of any existing estate. The college will have to appoint a building surveyor/access auditor to undertake this if it is not up to date and where the expertise does not exist in-house.

Fire Risk Assessment

The college needs to establish their liabilities in respect of addressing any outstanding fire risk issues to comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) that came into force on 1 October 2006. The college may have to appoint a certified fire safety officer to undertake this if it is not up to date and where the expertise does not exist in-house.

Other Surveys

Additional surveys may be necessary to identify other perceived risks, e.g. asbestos contamination or to inform the option generation process e.g. site topographies/ investigation and measured surveys of existing accommodation.

It may be necessary for the college to undertake other surveys to assess other perceived risks e.g. asbestos, measured surveys.