The management company of the Victoria Square apartment block has issued an updated statement on Thursday afternoon.
It comes after residents were told that they face up to 20 weeks out of their homes as a structural issue is dealt with.
The statement said that the company is ‘not in a position to make any assurances in relation to costs incurred by the evacuated residents for alternative accommodation’.
A statement from Victoria Square (Chichester Street) Residential Management Limited said: “The residential development at Victoria Square, Chichester Street, Belfast, consisting of 91 apartments, is maintained by Victoria Square (Chichester Street) Residential Management Limited (“the Management Company”) of which the apartment owners are shareholders.
“On 1st February 2019, the Management Company was notified about a structural issue within the building that had become visibly evident within two apartments. On inspection by structural engineers, it was recommended as a safety measure that 17 apartments along the vertical line of a damaged structural column were to be evacuated.
"This was promptly arranged by the Management Company with the assistance of its appointed managing agent.
Victoria Square apartment residents told to leave over structural concerns
“The relevant public authorities, including Building Control and HSENI (Health & Safety Executive), were notified about the situation.
“It was necessary for the Management Company to obtain a structural assessment of the building which has been done and the situation has been closely monitored to date.
"Matters had progressed to the point where a quotation for structural repair work has been provided by a recommended contractor and the Management Company has taken steps towards raising the required funding.”
The statement added that the estimated cost of the repairs is ‘significant’.
It said: “It is estimated that the repair work will take approximately 20 weeks and the Management Company is working towards having works commence on site as soon as possible.
“The repair work will involve a period of investigation to determine the specific cause of the damage and the parties responsible.
“On 10th April 2019, the Management Company received a further notification from its structural engineers that all apartments within the residential development were to be vacated immediately as a further safety measure. This notification was actioned by the Management Company and written notices were delivered to each apartment within a few hours.
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“It is regrettable that this situation will cause inconvenience to the residents of the apartments and the Management Company is doing all it can to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. However, the absolute priority is to protect the structure of the building and ensure the safety of its residents.
“In order for evacuated residents to return to the building as soon as possible, it will necessary for the Management Company to apply its funds in the first instance towards the required repairs.
“The Management Company is therefore not in a position to make any assurances in relation to costs incurred by the evacuated residents for alternative accommodation. It is possible that some residents may be able to return to their apartments sooner than the projected date for completion of the repair works but this cannot be confirmed at this point in time.
"In the meantime, the Management Company and its agent will continue to liaise directly with apartment owners affected by the required evacuation.
“Throughout this process the Management Company has kept the owner of Victoria Square Shopping Centre informed about its proposals to repair the structural issue within the residential development.”
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