Around this time, many leaseholders began withholding service charges due to the looming £10 million remediation costs, which had already been billed in the 2022 budget by the previous managing agent. With unpaid service charges and escalating safety concerns, the managing agent, Blockera, advised prospective tenants for the next academic year to seek alternative accommodation.

Urban Evolution, part of the Blockera group, had arranged 15 tenancies but informed landlords it would be unethical to move tenants into unsafe conditions. Consequently, Urban Evolution resigned as the lettings agent.

On 13th September 2024, a new managing agent appointed themselves, effectively replacing Blockera. Days later, on 17th September 2024, Merseyside Fire Service issued two enforcement notices, one with a six-week compliance deadline and another with a 52-week timeframe, warning of potential jail time for non-compliance.

Following this, Urban Evolution received multiple complaints from parents and students about the building’s poor condition and ongoing safety concerns. In response, they investigated and documented the issues.

On the 14th January 2025, eleven weeks after the deadline provided on the enforcement notice, Urban Evolution instructed an independent highly qualified Fire Safety Consultant to prepare a Fire Safety Report. The result of which, were quite shocking, and advised for full, immediate evacuation of students. 

The ongoing financial and safety challenges at Arndale House, coupled with disputes among stakeholders, have left the building in a precarious state, with residents’ welfare increasingly at risk.

Correspondance and emails of support from Merseyside Fire Service can be found here. 

Urban Evolution firmly stands by the decision to recommend closing the building, as tenant safety has always been and will remain our top priority.