1.8 Prior to STEPS, estate management in the HM Customs & Excise was organised through 18 Estate Management Units and in the Inland Revenue through 10 regional property centres responsible for managing and maintaining properties, seeking rationalisation opportunities and providing advice to local managers on estate issues. Estate managers employed over 200 contractors providing a range of facilities management services. Under the STEPS contract, Mapeley STEPS is now responsible for the negotiation of rents, lease renewals and the disposal of surplus property. Before STEPS, approximately 300 staff in the Departments worked directly on estate management. By Spring 2004, this number had been reduced to 160, and is expected to fall further as the contract beds in.