To further regulate the installation of elevators in existing residential buildings, improve the process of elevator installation, facilitate public applications, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the public, our city recently issued the “Guiding Opinions on Installing Elevators in Existing Residential Buildings in Lu'an” (hereinafter referred to as the “Guiding Opinions”). The “Guiding Opinions” provide specific content from five aspects: basic principles, implementation conditions, implementation procedures, etc.

The “Guiding Opinions” explicitly state that the main body responsible for installing elevators in existing residential buildings is the homeowners. Upon reaching a consensus among homeowners in the same unit, the elevator installation work will commence. Streets and communities are responsible for mobilization, publicity, policy interpretation, overall coordination, and conflict resolution. The implementation of elevator installation mainly conforms to the following criteria: the residential buildings intended for elevator installation have legal property ownership certificates; they are not included in recent housing acquisition and renovation plans; they are residential buildings on state-owned land with four or more floors (including the fourth floor) without elevators that have been lawfully constructed and put into use; they meet relevant specifications for building structural safety, fire safety, and other requirements.

The “Guiding Opinions” also specify the implementation procedures. After soliciting opinions from homeowners and reaching the required consensus, a written agreement is signed. A professional organization is commissioned to conduct structural testing and appraisal of the residential buildings. Design units are entrusted to develop design implementation plans for buildings without safety hazards, and then submit construction applications to the competent authorities. Relevant units and specialized companies in counties/districts jointly review the plans, and upon approval, construction commences. After the elevator installation is completed and passes inspection, registration for use is processed, followed by acceptance inspection before being put into operation. Detailed fund management is outlined, where counties/districts may provide certain financial subsidies and payments for the self-raised funds by residents are made in installments according to agreements signed between residents and elevator installation companies. Service guarantees are implemented by assigning territorial responsibilities to streets/communities for surveying and planning, opening green channels by relevant departments in counties/districts to expedite approvals, and ensuring elevator installation companies inform the competent authorities of the agreements and clarify post-installation maintenance responsibilities. Territorial streets/communities collaborate with various departments for publicity and enhance communication.