Updated 22 October 2026 · Avenclear Cleaning
What communal cleaning usually covers
- Entrance halls, lobbies and door glass
- Stairs, landings, handrails and banisters
- Lift cars, doors and buttons
- Corridors and light switches
- Bin stores and refuse areas
- Cycle stores and car park pedestrian areas
- Communal windows inside the building
How often
Busy blocks usually need cleaning two to five times a week, with entrances and lifts on every visit. Smaller blocks may need only a weekly clean, with monthly tasks such as high-level dusting and glass.
Fire safety
Escape routes must be kept clear. In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the common parts of blocks of flats, and the responsible person must manage fire risks there. Cleaners are well placed to report items left in corridors, propped fire doors and damaged signage. Build reporting into the specification.
Service charges
For residential leaseholders in England and Wales, section 19 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 limits service charges to costs reasonably incurred, for services of a reasonable standard. A written specification and audit records are the best evidence that both tests are met. For commercial buildings, see cleaning and service charges in multi-let buildings.
Visible records
A cleaning log in the entrance hall shows residents when the building was last cleaned, which reduces complaints to the managing agent.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.