One lift in five has not been fixed

NEARLY 20 per cent of the residential lifts have still not been modified for the first deadline set by a law passed in July 2003.

The initial stages of work to make lifts safer has been hit by rows between copropriétaires, syndics and lift companies about the work needed and the prices charged.

While HLMs (council flats) were typically done early, as there was only one decision-maker, in private apartment blocks it has been a much slower process.

The lift companies’ body, the Fédération des ascenseurs, says the average cost is €20,000, but the Association des Responsables de Copropriété puts the price range from €20,000 to €50,000 and consumer watchdog UFC Que Choisir said in 2008 it found the average then was €22,000.

Housing minister Benoist Apparu said he would make a decision soon on whether owners should be given extra time to do the work.