Lift Servicing

Regular lift servicing in London is not optional. The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 and LOLER 1998 both impose legal obligations on building owners and facilities managers to keep lifting equipment in a safe and serviceable condition. London Lifts has provided planned maintenance contracts to commercial and residential clients across the capital since 2006, covering all makes and models.

This page explains what a lift service includes, how our maintenance contracts work, the legal framework that governs service frequency, and how we help you maintain the compliance evidence your insurer and regulator require. Get a free maintenance contract quote.

What Does a Lift Service Include?

A standard lift service covers a systematic inspection of all mechanical, electrical and safety systems. Our engineers work to a structured checklist that reflects the manufacturer's recommendations and the requirements of the BS EN 81 series.

Mechanical Checks

We inspect the guide rails, roller guides and shoes for wear and alignment, check the suspension ropes or hydraulic ram for condition, lubricate all moving parts to the manufacturer's specification, and check the counterweight and buffer condition. Any components approaching the end of their service life are flagged for replacement before they cause a failure.

Safety Device Testing

Every service includes a functional test of the overspeed governor, safety gear and buffer. We check the operation of the final limit switches, door locking devices and interlocks. The car and shaft lighting are checked, and the emergency alarm and telephone are tested to confirm they connect correctly. Safety devices that fail the test are replaced before the lift is returned to service.

Door and Control Checks

Doors are the most common source of lift faults. We check door operator timing, contact forces and reopening device sensitivity against the tolerances set in BS EN 81-20. Control panel terminals are checked for tightness, and the levelling accuracy of the car at each floor is measured and adjusted where needed. Software-based controllers are interrogated for fault logs before any adjustment is made.

Planned Preventive Maintenance Contracts

Our maintenance contracts are structured around your lift's manufacturer recommendations and actual usage level. Low-use lifts in small residential buildings typically need two visits per year. High-use lifts in busy commercial buildings benefit from quarterly or monthly visits. We agree the right schedule at the start of the contract and provide a written programme of visits for the year ahead.

All contract clients receive 24/7 emergency breakdown cover at no additional charge. When a breakdown occurs outside normal hours, our on-call engineer responds to confirm attendance time and carries the parts most likely to be needed. This keeps mean time to repair as short as possible and limits the disruption to your building's occupants.

We can take over the maintenance of lifts installed by any manufacturer or contractor. Before the contract begins, our engineers carry out a full condition survey and issue a report identifying any outstanding defects. You have full visibility of the lift's condition from day one. Request a maintenance contract for your lift.

PSSR 2000 and Service Frequency

The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 apply to hydraulic lifts where the hydraulic system operates above 0.5 bar. Under PSSR 2000, the duty holder must have a written scheme of examination drawn up by a competent person, and the system must be examined in accordance with that scheme. Our engineers prepare the written scheme and carry out the examinations, removing this regulatory burden from your facilities team.

For electric traction lifts, the comparable obligation comes from LOLER 1998, which requires thorough examination every six months. Planned maintenance visits do not replace the LOLER thorough examination, but a well-maintained lift is far less likely to generate a defect report at inspection. We can coordinate both the maintenance programme and the LOLER inspection schedule so you receive a single, joined-up service. Learn more about LOLER inspections.

Service Records and Compliance Evidence

After every service visit, our engineers complete a detailed written report covering all checks carried out, any defects found, parts replaced and work outstanding. Reports are issued in digital format within 24 hours of the visit and can be stored in your building's compliance management system.

These records form the compliance evidence required by HSE inspectors and insurers. In the event of an incident, a complete service history demonstrates that the duty holder took reasonable steps to maintain the equipment. Missing or incomplete records are among the most common findings in post-incident investigations. Our documentation process makes certain that record is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should a Lift Be Serviced?

Lift service frequency depends on usage, age and manufacturer recommendations. High-use commercial lifts in busy London offices typically require quarterly servicing. Lower-use lifts in smaller residential buildings can be maintained effectively with two visits per year. Our engineers assess your specific lift and recommend the right frequency during the initial condition survey.

Can You Take Over My Existing Lift Maintenance Contract?

Yes. We take on maintenance contracts for lifts serviced by any previous contractor or manufacturer's service arm. We carry out a full condition survey before the contract begins, confirm what the lift needs and agree a going-forward schedule. There is no disruption to your lift service during the handover period.

Do Contract Clients Get Priority for Emergency Call-Outs?

Yes. Contract clients receive priority scheduling for emergency breakdowns, with a four-hour response target for all London locations. Our on-call engineers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency call-out is included within your contract at no additional charge.

What Is the Difference Between a Service Visit and a LOLER Inspection?

A service visit covers routine maintenance and adjustment. A LOLER thorough examination is a statutory inspection carried out by a competent person who is independent of the maintenance arrangement. Both are required. We offer both services and can schedule them together to minimise disruption to your building.

Do You Provide Maintenance for All Lift Makes and Models?

Yes. Our engineers are trained across all major lift platforms, including Otis, Schindler, KONE, ThyssenKrupp, Stannah, and many independent and own-brand systems. We carry a broad range of parts to keep first-fix rates high and downtime short.