North Warwickshire Borough Council
Cleaning Specification
Communal Rooms and Communal Areas of flats – internal and external
All communal areas and common rooms will be cleaned on a weekly basis.
The cleaners will identify the areas to be cleaned and to keep the Communal areas
looking presentable. The cleaner will then identify what which areas they have cleaned
on the tick sheet and initial and date the sheet to identify what work was done and when it
was undertaken.
If you feel that an area has been missed or not cleaned to the standards below then
please advise us using the comments sheet. These comments will be noted by the
supervisor or neighbourhood warden and remedial action taken.
In cleaning the communal areas we intend to meet the following performance standard.
Floors – all types
This standard is applicable to the entire communal floor area of the blocks of flats
and community rooms including stairwells, landings, entrance halls, laundries, toilets,
and kitchens.
 Free from dust, loose surface soiling, debris, Chewing gum, litter and all other
extraneous matter.
1.0

Free from scuffmarks, smears, streaks and stains.

At the completion of the cleaning activity the surface shall be free from
residue of cleaning materials, smears and left in as dry a condition as
possible.

Particular attention will be paid to the corners, treads, nosings, risers and
edges of the stairs.
1.2
Carpeted Surfaces
These will be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner and any staining will be spot
cleaned.
1.3
Mats and Mat Wells
Mats will be removed from wells and any dust, litter, debris; grit, stones and other
extraneous matter should be removed from the wells and the mats. External door
mats should be lifted and swept and mopped underneath. Where applicable mats
should be reversed periodically. Tenants own doormats or carpets placed outside
individual flats are the responsibility of the tenant to clean and should be removed
prior to the cleaners visit to allow the floor to be cleaned.
1.4
Walls and Ceilings
All such surfaces should be cleaned and shall be free from grease, marks, stains,
splash marks, soil, spillages, dust and cobwebs and have a streak/smear free
appearance. Any fixture/fitting on the wall will be considered part of the surface
including any woodwork, metalwork, casements, appliances, cables and skirting
boards, storage heaters, wall light fittings and picture frames other than those
belonging to a tenant.
1.5 Banisters
All such surfaces within the block shall be cleaned resulting in the entire structure
being free from dust, cobwebs, smudges, marks, soil and any other such matter.
1.6 Doors
All communal doors serving the block to be cleaned internally and externally,
resulting in all surfaces that are part of, or surround the door (frame, architrave,
metal work, glass, surfaces etc) is to be cleaned appropriately. This process applied
will result in all surfaces being free from any dust, cobwebs, dirt, smudges, stains,
marks, spillages etc.
1.7 Toilets in Communal Rooms
The cleaner will ensure that all toilet areas in communal rooms are clean and
hygienic. All sanitary wear will be
1.8 Furniture in Communal Rooms
The cleaner will ensure that furniture in communal rooms is dust, debris and stain
free.
1.9 Rubbish, Litter and Bulky Waste Items
Any such items encountered during the cleaning process will be placed in the
communal bin facility serving the block. If such items are too large for appropriate
containers the cleaner should contact the appropriate Neighbourhood Warden who
will arrange disposal. In addition, where items are placed adjacent/in front of the
container, the cleaner should inform the appropriate Neighbourhood Warden.
2.0 External Communal Land Serving the Block
The Cleaner will ensure that the areas within the immediate vicinity of the entrance
doors and internal bin stores are kept free of litter, discarded junk mail and debris
and where surface is appropriate should be mopped periodically
All items of waste, litter and rubbish shall be removed and placed in the container
serving the block. If the container is full or the item(s) too large the cleaner will
inform the appropriate Neighbourhood Warden.
2.1 Repair Notification
In addition to ‘building cleaning’ it will be the cleaners responsibility to report any
faults, damage, wear and tear to the building fabric, finishes, furniture etc to the
appropriate Neighbourhood Warden.
3.
Operations/Activities
3.1 Adequate warning signs will be displayed by the cleaner, giving notification of
cleaning activity in all cleaning operations i.e. ‘Wet Floor’
‘Cleaning in Progress’ etc .In general floors shall not be over wetted so as to cause a
slip hazard.
3.2 Where hazardous materials are encountered the cleaner will report these to the
supervisor who will arrange for disposal to be undertaken in the correct manner.
4 Quality Inspections
4.1 The Supervisors and neighbourhood wardens will inspect the cleaners work on a
periodic basis and will sign the weekly tick sheet to show when the quality checks
have been undertaken.