H&S report of communal area

BB.

Hi, I’m looking for some advice please...

I own a ground floor flat in a converted house that consists of two flats and a communal lobby area. The managing agent wrote to us on behalf of freeholder to say that they want to carry our ‘fire risk & health and safety report’ to the communal area, which is a ground floor lobby between front door and 2 entrance doors to our respective flats. I understand the need and legal requirement for Fire Risk assessment but I’m confused about H&S. I read on the websites of the company that will be contracted to do their work that: Communal areas of managed properties are deemed a workplace, and therefore attract the requirements of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. 
But I’m struggling to confirm this anywhere else… and I’m not cleaver enough to interpret the above mentioned legal act 

If anyone on here is well informed in this area and can advise, or point me in the right direction where I could confirm that, I would be most great full. 

We will be required to pay for it all, and probably on annual basis, so we want to make sure this is required.

Many thanks!

Jonboy_1984

The initial assessment will simply be to ensure it is safe and documented** as such;
No loose tiles or carpets (particularly on stairs)
No people size holes in bannisters
No exposed wires
Last date of fixed wiring inspection
Adequate lighting
No smoking/fire exit signs in place
Pipes and wires labelled if required
Etc. etc.

In the flats I previously lived in they did both processes via an external consultant, bought any action points identified up to scratch, and then the following 4 years were a tick-box exercise with someone from the managing agent walking round and confirming nothing had changed during one of their periodic visits.

Year 5 had a billable re-inspection by the external consultant.

**which is also part of the H&S legislation.

martindow

To add to Jonboy's list, there should also be nothing obstructing the fire exit route such as bicycles and no boxes or anything inflammable.

BB.

Thank you both. So it’s not just us then. 

The managing agent is also charging a fee of £70 on top of the surveyor charge. Is that reasonable?