Estate services: Communal areas and grounds

Our aim is to improve the quality of life for our residents by making our estates cleaner, greener and safer places to live.

Our estate based caretakers are responsible for dealing with a wide range of issues to achieve this and work with other departments including refuse, enviro-crime and housing officers to tackle any problems that residents have.

If there are any issues in communal areas that have remained unresolved for more than 1 week then please report them to us.

Report an issue in a communal area

How we deal with different types of issue

See below for more information about how we deal with the following issues:

• Parking areas, garages, paths, courtyards, play areas and drying areas
• Rubbish chutes and communal bins
• Windows
• Entrances, Stairs, Hallways, Meter rooms and Storage rooms

Parking areas, garages, paths, courtyards, play areas and drying areas

We aim to keep these areas clear, however autumn/winter leaf fall and parked cars can make it difficult to clear the entire area.

Please report the following issues if they have remained this way for 1 week or more:

• Large amount of litter
• Large amount of leaves
• Ice that requires gritting
• Dangerous conditions such as broken glass, sharp objects or oil spillages
• Hazardous waste such as asbestos
• Evidence of drug use

To report these issues please complete the Caretaker Enquiry Form.

Our Estates team will contact you within 5 working days of submitting the form to let you know what action will be taken to resolve the problem.

Rubbish chutes and communal bins

These areas are checked and cleared once a week by the caretakers and waste services teams.

Rubbish chute lids should always be closed for fire safety.

If you have not put the correct item in the correct bin it will be considered as contaminated and will not be collected. To stop this happening please look at the guide for what goes in which bin. If a bin has not been collected please Report a missed bin.

Please report the following issues if they have remained this way for 1 week or more:

• Access to chute is blocked by rubbish
• Chute is blocked with rubbish
• Rotting food or maggots in the chute.
• Spillages
• Dangerous conditions such as broken glass, sharp objects or oil spillages
• Hazardous waste such as asbestos
• Bin is damaged
• Bin area requires cleaning/disinfecting
• High build up of litter that has been unattended for over 1 week
• High build up of moss
• Evidence of drug use

To report these issues please complete the Caretaker Enquiry Form.

Our Estates team will contact you within 5 working days of submitting the form to let you know what action will be taken to resolve the problem.

Windows

We have a contractor that provides window cleaning to all our blocks on estates where there are communal windows. Windows are cleaned inside and outside on a quarterly basis and is monitored by the Estate Services team.

Please report any of the issues listed below if they have remained this way for over 3 months:

• Windows not cleaned inside and outside
• Dirty sills and frames
• Cobwebs on windows/frame

To report these issues please complete the Caretaker Enquiry Form.

Our Estates team will contact you within 5 working days of submitting the form to let you know what action will be taken to resolve the problem.

Entrances, Stairs, Hallways, Meter rooms and Storage rooms

These areas are cleaned, washed and wiped down twice a year. This includes landings, lobbies, banisters and handrails.

Meter rooms and storage rooms should not be open and residents must not enter them without prior agreement.

Most internal communal light bulbs (and some external) are checked and replaced by caretakers weekly. Caretakers also set and adjust times on the communal clocks.

Internal sweeps happen as and when they are required. However, changes in the weather can have an effect on the overall condition of the area. Caretakers will also check buttons on main doors and report any defects.

• Trades entrance button not working
• Excessive dirt and debris that has gathered or bad smells
• Dusty or dirty skirting boards/handrails
• Build up of old cobwebs
• Trip hazards
• Unsecure electric cupboard doors
• Lights not working
• Items blocking access such as bikes, buggies, mobility scooters
• Fire hazard
• Dangerous conditions such as broken glass, sharp objects, oil spillages
• Hazardous waste such as asbestos
• Evidence of drug use
• Meter or storage room door is not secured
• Light shade is in poor condition or is dirty
• Broken light covers
• Bulbs not working
• Hazardous broken bulb
• Timers not working

To report these issues please complete the Caretaker Enquiry Form.

Our Estates team will contact you within 5 working days of submitting the form to let you know what action will be taken to resolve the problem.