If you attended our session at the NFTMO conference this year, you’ll know it quickly turned into something of a legal surgery - and we loved it. The questions were flying, the concerns were real, and the message was loud and clear: TMOs are crying out for clarity on building safety responsibilities.

Building safety isn’t just a legal issue - it’s a people issue. TMOs are on the front line, and you deserve agreements that reflect your work and the risks you’re managing.

The big gap: fire safety and the MMA

One issue dominated the room: the Modular Management Agreement (MMA) doesn’t deal with fire and building safety, and that’s a problem. TMOs are desperate for agreements that reflect the reality of the practical requirements in a post-Grenfell, post-Building Safety Act world.

The solution? Deeds of Variation. If your MMA doesn’t cover fire safety, it’s time to update it. And yes, our brilliant colleagues Sarah Patrice and Shauntelle Murphy in the governance team can help with that.

Real stories, real frustrations

We heard from TMOs waiting for fire risk assessments, only to discover they’d been completed months earlier without any communication or shared findings. Others raised concerns about what they’ll be expected to do under new regulations and told us about the complexities of handling housing management and safeguarding issues, such as hoarding, which often directly impact building safety. 

All issues pointed to one thing: a lack of clarity and communication.

Spotlight: communication is everything

If there’s one thing we want TMOs to take away from our session, it’s this: be proactive. Speak to your council. Tell them what you need, ask for what you’re entitled to - and if you’re not sure how to do that, we can help.

We can support you with:

• drafting letters, complaints, and instructions;
• clarifying legal responsibilities;
• preparing side letters or deeds of variation; and
• communicating with local authorities to work through issues.

What's next?

If you’re unsure about your responsibilities, struggling with poor communication, or need help updating your agreements, please get in touch. We’re here to help you get the clarity you need.