The Real Cost of Neglecting Lift Maintenance: Safety, Downtime, and Legal Risks Explained
When a lift seems to be working fine, it’s easy to push maintenance down the to-do list. After all, if it isn’t broken, why fix it — right?
Unfortunately, that’s one of the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes building owners and managers make.
At ACE Elevators Northern, we’ve seen first-hand how skipping routine maintenance leads to breakdowns, costly repairs, and even safety issues that could have been avoided with a quick service.
Let’s talk about the real cost of neglecting lift maintenance — and why regular servicing is one of the smartest investments you can make for your building.
1. Breakdowns Don’t Just Happen — They Build Up
A lift rarely fails out of the blue. Most breakdowns are the result of small issues that go unnoticed and untreated: worn cables, dirty sensors, minor electrical faults. Over time, those little things add up.
What starts as a slight shudder or delay between floors can quickly become a full-scale failure — leaving tenants stranded and you with a hefty repair bill.
Regular servicing from NVQ-qualified engineers means those minor problems are caught early, before they turn into emergencies.
2. The Hidden Financial Impact
Neglecting maintenance doesn’t just risk safety — it drains your budget in sneaky ways:
Emergency call-outs cost significantly more than scheduled services.
Downtime interrupts daily operations, frustrating tenants and staff.
Replacement parts for older systems can be expensive or difficult to source.
Energy consumption increases as components wear down, making your lift less efficient.
In many cases, we’ve seen businesses spend more on reactive repairs in one year than they would on three years of planned maintenance.
3. Safety and Legal Responsibility
Under UK law — including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) — building owners are responsible for ensuring their lifts are safe to use.
That means arranging thorough examinations by a competent person at regular intervals (every 6 months for passenger lifts, 12 months for goods lifts), alongside proper servicing. If a lift fails due to neglect and someone is injured, the legal and financial consequences can be severe — from fines and liability claims to reputational damage that lasts for years.
Regular maintenance isn’t just best practice; it’s a legal duty.
4. Downtime Hurts More Than You Think
A lift breakdown doesn’t just cause inconvenience — it can shut down essential access.
For example:
In a care home, it can isolate residents.
In a school, it can disrupt accessibility compliance.
In a commercial building, it can slow productivity and frustrate clients.
Every hour your lift is out of action affects your tenants, your reputation, and sometimes even your legal standing under accessibility laws. A proactive maintenance schedule helps ensure your lift works when it’s needed most.
5. Regular Servicing Extends Your Lift’s Life
Like any piece of machinery, a well-maintained lift lasts longer and performs better.
Routine servicing can easily add five to ten years to your lift’s lifespan.
It also makes it easier to plan for upgrades — for instance, scheduling lift modernisation at the right time rather than waiting for an unexpected failure.
At ACE Elevators Northern, our service contracts are designed to keep your equipment performing at its best while giving you full visibility of what’s been checked, repaired, and recommended for the future.
6. Peace of Mind Is Priceless
When your lift is on a proper maintenance schedule, you don’t have to worry every time it makes a sound or moves a bit slower than usual.
You’ll know it’s being looked after by qualified professionals who understand your system and your building.
Our clients across Yorkshire and the North of England often tell us that the best part of having a service contract isn’t just fewer breakdowns — it’s the confidence that everything’s compliant and running safely.
The Smarter Way to Stay Ahead:
If you can’t remember when your lift was last serviced, it’s probably overdue. A quick inspection today could save you thousands down the line.
At ACE Elevators Northern, we provide tailored Lift Service Contracts that keep your system safe, efficient, and compliant — without unnecessary cost.
Call us on 01535 600 688
or
Request a Quick Quote today to arrange your next service.
Let’s keep your lifts — and your business — moving smoothly.

















