It should be fairly obvious, but keeping block well maintained and serviced will help prolong the lifecycles of large scale repair and decoration. Ensuring that your service charge budget covers a proper and adequate level of service and upkeep across all of the building and its components will ensure that less contingency funds are needed less often.
Making sure you have the right suppliers in place is crucial, this will help you get expert advice on not only keeping the building maintained in the short term, but will provide you with advice and guidance on when to expect the need for capital expenditure and at what level.