Fortnightly Communal Cleaning in Epsom

The property

Two residential blocks on one site in Epsom, built to very different standards and needing two different cleaning approaches. The first is a period conversion: an open stairwell lit by a glazed roof lantern, oak galleried landings running the full perimeter, marble columns at ground level, and a navy stair runner held down by brass stair rods over polished timber treads. The second is a plainer, later block, carpeted throughout and with a gloss black wrought iron balustrade, a bank of post boxes in the ground floor hall, and riser cupboards off each landing. Flat doors in the period block run to at least number 11.

What the managing agent needed

One site, two specifications. The period block has ornamental joinery and exposed metalwork that a standard communal clean would skim over; the second block is straightforward but has high-traffic ground floor areas around the post boxes. The managing agent needed both covered on one visit and one invoice, without the quieter block subsidising the detailed one or the detailed one being rushed.

What the clean covers

Vacuum the stair runner, then clean the brass stair rods and the exposed timber treads either side by hand
Dust the oak gallery handrail and its spindles individually, along both landings
Vacuum all carpeted landings and corridors in both blocks, lifting doormats and cleaning beneath
Wipe the wrought iron balustrade in the second block, where gloss black shows dust immediately
Clean around and behind the post boxes, and clear the floor of dropped mail
Wipe riser and meter cupboard doors, leaving their safety signage legible
Clean internal landing windows and sills in both blocks
Sanitise handrails, door furniture, intercom panels and light switches throughout

How the clean is delivered

Both blocks are cleaned on the same fortnightly visit, on a fixed day, with the period block given the larger share of the time because its detail takes longer. A fortnightly frequency suits this site: foot traffic is moderate and the carpets are dark, so the interval between cleans does not show.

We carry out our own inspections across both blocks and report anything outside the cleaning scope to the managing agent directly, rather than leaving it for a resident to raise.

Inside the block

Photographs taken at this property. Select any image to view it full size.

Glazed roof lantern above the galleried landing in the first Epsom block — The roof lantern over the stairwell. Daylight shows every mark, so the landings beneath it get the closest attention.

Oak galleried landing and flat doors in the first Epsom block — The galleried landing. Its oak handrail runs the full perimeter and is wiped by hand each visit.

Navy stair runner held by brass stair rods over polished timber treads in Epsom — Brass stair rods. The runner is vacuumed, then the rods and the exposed timber either side are cleaned separately by hand.

Marble columns and numbered flat doors seen from the Epsom galleried landing — Marble columns and numbered doors. Doormats are lifted, the carpet beneath vacuumed, and the mats put back where they were.

Full view of the oak gallery running around the open stairwell in the first Epsom block — The full gallery. Turned spindles along two landings are dusted individually.

Wrought iron balustrade and carpeted stair in the second Epsom block beside the post boxes — The second block. Gloss black ironwork shows dust immediately, so it is wiped every visit.

Ground floor hallway and riser cupboard doors in the second Epsom block — Ground floor hall. Riser and meter cupboard doors are wiped and their safety signage left legible.

Upper landing and window in the second Epsom block — Upper landing. The internal window and sill are cleaned alongside the carpet.