Caretaking service
All tenants who live in our blocks of flats have a right to use their entrances and outside areas. We have a team of caretakers to help keep these areas clean, tidy and safe. We call these communal areas.
We have two types of caretakers.
Mobile caretakers
This team works on all our low-rise blocks. and will:
- Check and clean inside entrances, stairways and passageways.
- Check and clean outside including drying areas, pathways and bin stores.
- Report any repairs needed to communal areas
High-rise caretakers
Each of our three high-rise blocks has at least one full-time caretaker, who works in their block every day. They do daily inspections to make sure the blocks are clean, safe and secure. They will clean all inside and outside communal areas including lifts, stairwells, corridors, parking areas, shed areas and bin stores. They will also report any repairs that need to be carried out.
What tenants must do
Even though communal areas are used by different people including visitors, all residents have a responsibility to keep their blocks clean and tidy.
Tenants should:
- Keep the area outside their flat clean and tidy
- Not store unwanted items and rubbish outside their front door
- Not lay any carpet or floor mats in communal areas
Tenants must not use these areas for storing items like prams, bikes or mobility scooters. These can be a fire safety risk and stop areas being cleaned properly. We will remove any items we find in communal areas.
Some blocks have only one or two flats that share a communal entrance. We do not clean these blocks and expect these small areas to be looked after by tenants. We will do safety checks on these where needed.
Our caretaking standard
When our caretakers visit a block of flats they will leave the communal areas in the following condition:
- Light fittings in working order, with clean switches. If there is a fault they will report this to our repairs team
- Floors and steps will be clean, cleared of litter and dirt and left in sanitary condition
- Handrails will be clean
- Walls and ceilings will be free of cobwebs and light graffiti will be removed. Specialist cleaning or decorating will be arranged if needed
- Lifts will be clean, clear of litter and dirt and left in sanitary condition. Light graffiti will be removed and floors will be mopped and disinfected
- Internal and external doors surfaces will be clean and free from grease, grime and marks.
- Glass will be clean, safe and secure.
- Window frames and sills will be clean and clear of litter and dirt
- Internal and external bin stores will be clean and clear of litter and dirt. Floors in bin stores will be mopped and disinfected
- Drying areas and footpaths will be cleared of litter and will be swept or blown. These areas will be treated to reduce weeds and moss
- Regular health and safety inspections will be carried out, and safety issues reported for repair
Extra cleaning
We will only arrange extra cleaning if there is a spillage or problem that is a hazard to residents, and our tenants cannot clean it themselves.
Report this by calling us on
01522 881188