Lift maintenance isn’t something you want to deal with reactively – especially with rising costs, increasing compliance scrutiny, and growing pressure on building performance. At Sheridan Lifts, we’ve seen how contract mismanagement can lead to last-minute emergency callouts, missed LOLER inspections that triggered insurance issues, and even breakdowns.
As 2026 looms on the horizon, it’s a great time to examine your existing lift maintenance contract and ensure you’re fully covered, whether you’re managing one building or a full estate.
By taking five simple steps now – audit, review risk, align to your needs, budget smartly, and partner wisely – you can avoid last-minute panic and keep your buildings moving smoothly into 2026.
Your 5-Step Action Plan for 2026 Lift Maintenance
1. Audit Your Current Lift Maintenance Contract
Before you can improve anything, you need to understand what you’ve got.
Ask yourself:
- Are your service intervals aligned with usage levels, not just calendar dates?
- Are callouts and repairs included or billed separately?
- Is the contract set to renew automatically without review?
- Do you get transparent reports and LOLER certificates on time?
If any of these are unclear or missing, you could be overpaying, or be lacking adequate protection. Speak to your lift maintenance company about anything you’re unsure of.
2. Review Compliance Risks for 2026
A missed LOLER inspection doesn’t just risk a fine. It could:
- Invalidate your insurance cover
- Trigger a building closure notice from HSE or local authorities
- Lead to legal claims if an injury occurs in a lift with known faults
LOLER requires lifts used for people to be thoroughly examined every 6 months. Under PUWER, all equipment must be “safe for use” and properly maintained.
Your 2026 plan needs to ensure these obligations are covered automatically, with evidence readily available for audits, insurers and internal stakeholders.
3. Think Beyond Compliance: What Do You Actually Need?
Not all buildings use lifts the same way. A care home, shopping centre or high-rise office block has very different demands and your contract should reflect that.
Ask:
- Are your lifts aged or frequently breaking down? You may need lifecycle support, not just patch-up repairs.
- Are tenants or guests complaining about reliability, noise or delays?
- Are you planning any renovation, change of use, or portfolio growth in 2026?
A strategic maintenance plan doesn’t just keep you legal. Lift maintenance keeps your building running efficiently, extends asset life, and improves tenant satisfaction.
4. Budget Before the Rush — Not During It
By acting now, you’ll align maintenance schedules before busier winter periods and secure budget well before the end of the 25/26 financial year. Getting ahead with your contract will avoid any gaps in scheduling, maintenance or repairs, to keep everything running smoothly.
Sheridan offers fixed-price support contracts and multi-site options that make budgeting simple and predictable.
5. Choose a Provider That Supports You Year-Round
The best contracts are built on more than checklists. You want a provider that:
- Understands your building type
- Offers 24/7 emergency response with fast fix times
- Provides clear, digital maintenance logs and inspection reports
- Flags issues before they become failures
- Offers modernisation advice when lifts near end-of-life
At Sheridan Lifts, we support thousands of buildings across the UK – from NHS sites and residential towers to schools and factories. All contracts are tailored to your specific operational realities.
Plan your 2026 lift maintenance & PPM now
The worst time to think about lift maintenance is when you’re already facing a breakdown or compliance breach.
Ready to review your lift maintenance strategy for 2026?
Get in touch with Sheridan Lifts today for a free contract audit or to book your next PPM visit in advance.